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Backdraft (1991)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Gregory Widen (written by)
Release Date:
24 May 1991 (USA)
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Tagline:
One breath of oxygen and it explodes in a deadly rage. more
Plot:
Two Chicago firefighter brothers who don't get along have to work together while a dangerous arsonist is on the loose. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Brothers
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Firefighter
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Fire
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Arson
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One Word Title
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Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars.
Another 1 win
&
3 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(13 articles)
What if William Baldwin Never Left 'Thelma & Louise'?
(From Cinematical. 28 September 2009, 2:15 PM, PDT)
Ron Howard Talks ‘The Strange Adventures of H.P. Lovecraft’
(From Screen Rant. 25 September 2009, 12:37 PM, PDT)
(From Cinematical. 28 September 2009, 2:15 PM, PDT)
Ron Howard Talks ‘The Strange Adventures of H.P. Lovecraft’
(From Screen Rant. 25 September 2009, 12:37 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
burn baby, burn
more (108 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Kurt Russell | ... | Stephen 'Bull' McCaffrey / Dennis McCaffrey |
 | William Baldwin | ... | Brian McCaffrey |
 | Robert De Niro | ... | Donald 'Shadow' Rimgale |
 | Donald Sutherland | ... | Ronald Bartel |
 | Jennifer Jason Leigh | ... | Jennifer Vaitkus |
 | Scott Glenn | ... | John 'Axe' Adcox |
 | Rebecca De Mornay | ... | Helen McCaffrey |
 | Jason Gedrick | ... | Tim Krizminski |
 | J.T. Walsh | ... | Alderman Marty Swayzak |
 | Anthony Mockus Sr. | ... | Chief John Fitzgerald (as Tony Mockus Sr.) |
| Cedric Young | ... | Grindle |
| Juan Ramírez | ... | Ray Santos |
| Kevin Casey | ... | Nightingale |
 | Jack McGee | ... | Schmidt |
| Mark Wheeler | ... | Pengelly |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for language and a scene of sensuality.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
132 min | Canada:137 min (Ontario)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby (35 mm prints) |
70 mm 6-Track (QSound) (70 mm prints)
Certification:
Portugal:M/12 |
South Korea:15 |
Argentina:13 |
Australia:M |
Chile:14 |
Finland:K-14 |
France:U |
Germany:16 (w) |
Iceland:14 (original rating) |
Iceland:16 (video rating) |
Singapore:PG |
Spain:13 |
Sweden:11 |
UK:15 |
USA:R |
Canada:14A
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
After reading the film's script, Jennifer Jason Leigh reportedly told director Ron Howard that she wished she was the fire because it has the best part.
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Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: The pressure dials on the fire truck at the garment factory all read zero.
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Quotes:
Donald 'Shadow' Rimgale:
In a word, Brian, what is this job all about?
Firefighter Brian McCaffrey: Fire.
Donald 'Shadow' Rimgale: It's a living thing, Brian. It breathes, it eats, and it hates. The only way to beat it is to think like it. To know that this flame will spread this way across the door and up across the ceiling, not because of the physics of flammable liquids, but because it wants to. Some guys on this job, the fire owns them, makes 'em fight it on it's level, but the only way to truly kill it is to love it a little. Just like Ronald.
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Firefighter Brian McCaffrey: Fire.
Donald 'Shadow' Rimgale: It's a living thing, Brian. It breathes, it eats, and it hates. The only way to beat it is to think like it. To know that this flame will spread this way across the door and up across the ceiling, not because of the physics of flammable liquids, but because it wants to. Some guys on this job, the fire owns them, makes 'em fight it on it's level, but the only way to truly kill it is to love it a little. Just like Ronald.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Psych: Earth, Wind and... Wait for It (#3.12)" (2009)
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Soundtrack:
Gotta See Your Eyes
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (108 total)
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| Kindergarten Cop | Arson Gang Busters | Fury | Frequency | The Towering Inferno |
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It's weird to think that when I went to see "Home Alone" in the theaters, "Backdraft" was advertised right before the movie came on. The whole thing is a little grimmer than we usually expect from Ron Howard. It focuses on mutually hostile brothers Stephen (Kurt Russell) and Brian McCaffrey (William Baldwin), both firefighters in Chicago having to put aside their differences to fight an arson outbreak.
True, it doesn't really sound like much of a plot, but Howard knows how to keep everything going. Stephen is the sort of guy with a bad attitude whom you can't help but respect. Brian mainly shows that there was once a time when Alec Baldwin's brothers could act. As for the climax, that is really something that is likely to shock you royally. But don't get me wrong. This is a good movie. Maybe not any kind of masterpiece, but worth seeing nevertheless. Above all, it's not a disaster movie (the less said about "The Towering Inferno" the better). Also starring Robert DeNiro, Donald Sutherland, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Scott Glenn, Rebecca DeMornay and J.T. Walsh.