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Backdraft
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Backdraft (1991) More at IMDbPro »

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Backdraft (1991) -- Two Chicago firefighter brothers who don't get along have to work together while a dangerous arsonist is on the loose.

Overview

User Rating:
6.6/10   25,735 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 16% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Ron Howard
Writer (WGA):
Gregory Widen (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Backdraft on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
24 May 1991 (USA) more
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
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 win & 3 nominations more
User Comments:
Howard's film is solid, better than you think more

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
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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for language and a scene of sensuality.
Runtime:
132 min | Canada:137 min (Ontario)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (QSound) (70 mm prints)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
There are three arson victims, Donald Cosgrove, Alan Seagrave, and Jeffrey Holcomb. Cosgrove is after the real life Chicago Fireman/Author William Cosgrove who served as Robert De Niro's technical advisor for the movie. Seagrave is the name of a fire apparatus (fire and ladder truck) manufacturer. The firehouse where Engine 17 and Truck 46 were quartered is the real, in-service firehouse of the Chicago Fire dept's Engine 65 and Truck 52. more
Goofs:
Continuity: The dancers come out twice at the retirement party. more
Quotes:
Firefighter Brian McCaffrey: You see that flash of light in the corner of your eye? That's your career dissipation light. It just went into high gear. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Santa Claus (#6.21)" (1993) more
Soundtrack:
In The Unpromised Land more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
14 out of 16 people found the following comment useful:-
Howard's film is solid, better than you think, 8 August 2005
8/10
Author: PersianPlaya408 from Milpitas, California

Ron Howard's action/thriller about two brothers (Baldwin and Russell), who have some differences but need to work together to find out whose causing recent arson fires in their district. THe film is done well, good acting for the most part, brilliant direction, and a decent screenplay. I thought William Baldwin started out the first couple scenes with a bit of a constant smirk on his face, but his acting seemed to improve (or maybe grow on me), he gave a satisfying performance. Meanwhile Russell was solid as well as his older brother who is an old-fashioned bitter fireman who takes too many risks. The female performances were rather average, Jennifer Jason Leigh was decent as Jennifer a girl who helps Brian (Baldwin). Rebecca DeMornay is not so great as Steven (Russel)'s ex-wife. Robert DeNiro was great in his role as a fire department detective trying to solve the case. J.T. Walsh was also decent in his role, which was similar but expanded in F. Gary Gray's THe Negotiator. The best performance of the film came from Scott Glenn who was great as a firefighter known as "Axe". I haven't seen Ladder49, so this is my favorite firefighter movie as of now. The script had some problems, as it didn't flow well, but the actors managed to save it although i was particularly upset with one dialogue between jennifer jason leigh and william baldwin which seemed like a complete rip-off of the scene where Michael Corleone and Kay see each other again after Michael is back from Sicily in Godfather part 1. But for the most part the script was average, not bad, but saved by brilliant direction, solid acting and great action. The music was done very well and suited the film, props to Hans Zimmer for yet another great score. The cinematography was also very good, especially in the fire scenes, good job by Mikael Salomon. 8/10

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Backdraft (1991)
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Rather Silly Ending mrmime
Song at the Funeral (End of movie) czarkyky
The scar on Axe's shoulder Prissilla1984
blu ray?? andrewshenk
connections to silence of the lambs greggynyds
What is the name of the song at the start of the movie? jesus_of_suburbia_77
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