Backdraft (1991)

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

Director:

Ron Howard

Writer:

Gregory Widen

Stars:

Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Robert De Niro

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 win & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kurt Russell	...	Stephen McCaffrey / Dennis McCaffrey
William Baldwin	...	Brian McCaffrey
Robert De Niro	...	Donald Rimgale
Donald Sutherland	...	Ronald Bartel
Jennifer Jason Leigh	...	Jennifer Vaitkus
Scott Glenn	...	John Adcox
Rebecca De Mornay	...	Helen McCaffrey
Jason Gedrick	...	Tim Krizminski
J.T. Walsh	...	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

Storyline

A rookie firefighter tries to earn the respect of his older brother and other firefighters while taking part in an investigation of a string of arson/murders. This detailed look into the duties and private lives of firemen naturally features widespread pyrotechnics and special effects.

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Plot Keywords:

firefighter | fireman | fire | arson | shower | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and a scene of sensuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Matt Dillon, and Val Kilmer turned down the role of Brian McCaffrey.

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Goofs

In the opening scenes, Dennis McCaffrey is wearing an officer's helmet that reads "Engine 17". But, going to the fire, he climbs into the officer's seat on the ladder truck. If he was wearing the Engine 17 helmet, his place would have been on the actual engine. To ride the ladder truck, his helmet would have read "Truck 46".

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Quotes

[first lines]
Brian, Age 7: Leave me alone! Will you? You think you're so smart!
Stephen, Age 12: What a geek!
Brian, Age 7: I'm not a geek!
Stephen, Age 12: You're doing it wrong.
Brian, Age 7: Shut up!
Stephen, Age 12: You're doing it wrong. it doesn't go like that.
Brian, Age 7: Who asked you?
Stephen, Age 12: Who's your brother?
Brian, Age 7: You are, Stevie.
[...]

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Alternate Versions

Network television version featured additional footage:

• the firemen from Engine 17 visit a recently widowed firefighter's wife
• Stephen (Kurt Russell) has an emotional scene with Inspector Rimgale (Robert De Niro) over the fire where Tim (Jason Gedrick) was burned
• During the news conference where Alderman Swayzak (J.T. Walsh) is exposed, Brian (William Baldwin) visits Jennifer (Jennifer Jason Leigh) as she is packing up her office, having recently quit.

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Connections

Referenced in WatchMojo: Top 10 Actors that Tried and Failed to Get Big Roles (2018)

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Soundtracks

A Girl Like You
Written by Pat DiNizio
Performed by The Smithereens
Courtesy of Capitol Records INC.
By Arrangement with Cema Special Markets

User Reviews

Very entertaining all star casted movie

off course, the story isn't too great. but the characters are strong enough and the effects are great. with a very dramatic score by hans zimmer i still get absorbed in the scenes with fire and drama.

stunning supporting roles for donald sutherland and robert de niro. I think this i a movie almost anyone could enjoy, even if it is not one of the socalled 'great movies'.

My recommendations!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 May 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Backdraft

Filming Locations:

495 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,686,200, 26 May 1991

Gross USA:

$77,868,585

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$152,368,585

Company Credits

Production Co:

Imagine Films Entertainment, Trilogy Entertainment Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

137 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby (35 mm prints) 70 mm 6-Track (QSound) (70 mm prints) DTS (DTS HD Master Audio) DTS (DTS: X)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1