IMDb > Ladder 49 (2004)
Ladder 49
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Ladder 49 (2004) More at IMDbPro »

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Ladder 49 (2004) -- US Home Video Trailer from Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Ladder 49 (2004) -- US Home Video Extra (Clip) from Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Ladder 49 (2004) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
6.5/10   22,287 votes
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Director:
Writer (WGA):
Lewis Colick (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Ladder 49 on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
1 October 2004 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
A bond forged by fire is never broken. more
Plot:
Under the watchful eye of his mentor Captain Mike Kennedy, probationary firefighter Jack Morrison matures... more | full synopsis
Awards:
1 win & 6 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(30 articles)
Pearce And Parker Go To The Well
 (From EmpireOnline. 28 January 2010, 8:21 PM, PST)

New ‘V’ Promo Video
 (From Screen Rant. 24 September 2009, 3:42 PM, PDT)

User Reviews:
The life of a fireman - the sheer bravery is in the simple straightforward delivery of the movie, almost a documentary without talking heads - a family movie alright more (308 total)


Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for intense fire and rescue situations, and for language.
Runtime:
115 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
As part of a preparation for the movie, Joaquin Phoenix trained for a month at a fire academy and spent another month with the men of Baltimore's Truck 10. He became an "honorary member" and had the same tattoo as the men of the company, a bumble bee wearing a fire helmet with an ax. more
Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When the Priest marries Jack and his bride, he announces to the members of the church "Mr. and Mrs. Morris". It is clear throughout the movie that the last name of the character is Jack Morrison. more
Quotes:
Linda Morrison: So, you guys usually pick up girls in the supermarket? For fun, or...?
Jack Morrison: Usually I just throw them over my shoulder and carry them down a ladder.
Linda Morrison: [smiles] Sort of a tarzan/jane thing?
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in On the Set: Ladder 49 (2004) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Fire more

FAQ

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56 out of 73 people found the following review useful.
The life of a fireman - the sheer bravery is in the simple straightforward delivery of the movie, almost a documentary without talking heads - a family movie alright, 10 October 2004
7/10
Author: Ruby Liang (ruby_fff) from sf, usa

For analogy, this is your basic regular American hamburger - not a whopper with added cheese. No spice. Not peppered up. The movie "Ladder 49" is brave in itself that the straightforward script included no foul language, no cliff-hanger action sequence, sappy melodrama or moral preaching. It's telling the life of a fireman as it is through simple everyday vignettes, the rookie fireman, the camaraderie at the firehouse, the family anguish - the profession of a fireman that many of us might have taken for granted. This can very well be a simple telling of the life of a policeman or a soldier in active duty overseas. Unless something disastrous really happens and drastically affects us close to home, we can be unaware of how lucky we are, being able to go about our everyday life, 'safely and peacefully' living in America, with local law enforcement, firefighting emergency services and homeland security efforts available to us.

There are visual effects of fires a-blazing and fire fighting scenes inside and outside of buildings, but there's no dramatic build up to 'glamour' dazzle you like other Hollywood (blockbuster) movies. The initial sequence of the movie suggests a 'hanging' question: will Joaquin Phoenix's character (Jack) survive? But the diverted flashbacks keep our interest: how this rookie fireman came to be a firefighter in action, building a family, the family strife around his dream of a 'riskier' role on Engine 33 team, the loss of lives, the saving of lives. The pace may be leisurely at times and the plot may seem mild to some. We get to see Joaquin Phoenix in a 'lighter' less demanding role (vs. "Gladiator" 2000, "Buffalo Soldiers" 2001 or "Clay Pigeons" 1998). John Travolta is in a supporting role (Captain Mike), giving lightness (smiles) and dignity to the fire chief he portrays.

This is not like "Backdraft" 1991. The apparent danger and risks of the life of a fireman and family is the crux of the storyline. This is a family fare for all - a tribute to the firefighters whose bravery we are grateful of. I appreciate the fact that death is treated as part of life and that we do not go about laying blame on others or beat ourselves up (we learn, stick together and go on). Ah, the firm gentleness in his direction, Jay Russell (who directed "Tuck Everlasting" 2002, "My Dog Skip" 2000) doesn't thrust anything in our face, yet subtly provides short gem moments, and the noteworthy words coming from Travolta, we would remember, won't we?

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