Backdraft (1991)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Ron Howard

Writer (WGA):

Gregory Widen (written by)

Release Date:

24 May 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

One breath of oxygen and it explodes in a deadly rage.

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Brothers | Firefighter | Fire | Arson | One Word Title

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

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

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

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:

Archer Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Imagine Films Entertainment

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.

Goofs:

Continuity: The dancers come out twice at the retirement party.

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.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Santa Claus (#6.21)" (1993)

Soundtrack:

In The Unpromised Land

Howard's film is solid, better than you think

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