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Backdraft
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Backdraft (1991)

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User Rating: 6.6/10 (21,383 votes)
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Overview

Director:
Ron Howard
Writer (WGA):
Gregory Widen (written by)
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
Plot Keywords:
Death | Explosion | Rescue | Brother | Shower more
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 win & 3 nominations more
User Comments:
The Good & Bad Of 'Backdraft' 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 (DeLuxe)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (QSound) (70 mm prints)
MOVIEmeter: ?
V 15% since last week why?

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The film's screenwriter, Gregory Widen, was a firefighter for three years before becoming a screenwriter. The film's basis is based upon the death of a friend in an actual backdraft. more
Goofs:
Continuity: In the apartment fire, Stephen goes in to save a little boy. When there's an explosion, Brian falls back and his boots are all the way up, on another shot when he's on the floor his boots are folded down. more
Quotes:
Ricco, Pathologist: [to Brian in the morgue about picking up the burned body] Jesus Christ! He's not going to sell you insurance, pick him up! more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in New Frontiers: Making 'The Missing' (2004) (V) more
Soundtrack:
War more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
6 out of 11 people found the following comment useful:-
The Good & Bad Of 'Backdraft', 14 February 2007
6/10
Author: ccthemovieman-1 from Lockport, NY, United States

This is an entertaining movie with some awesome action scenes but has so much other garbage to it, that it ruined the film for me.

THE GOOD - The fire scenes are tremendous, the best I've ever seen on film. It's hard to believe this movie came over more than 15 years ago, but these scenes and special-effects are not dated, by any means. They make for some unique and very tense moments. The sound that goes with the fire also is extremely interesting. It's a good cast, too - just look at those names.

THE BAD - Way too much stupid dialog, mostly by Kurt Russell who was still in his super macho-man mentality stage of his career, playing profane, ultra-tough guys in many of his films. (He's slowed down and mellowed quite a bit now, thankfully). Also, the constant arguments between "Bull McCaffrey" (Russell) and his brother "Brian" William Baldwin) grates on the viewer after awhile. Then, there is the ridiculous view of fire as literally being alive and human-like. Are you serious? Only Hollywood could come up with New Age-type nonsense like that, which is insulting to any viewer with a brain.

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Message Boards

Discuss this title with other users on IMDb message board for Backdraft (1991)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Complete piece of crap! Manyiakk
Ending Question (Spoilers) Charmed651
Redeemed by the soundtrack Tsotha-lanti
funeral march man_of_steel540
'Who's your brother, Brian?' Mondo
Song title? To-Pe-0815
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