Plot
Two Chicago firefighter brothers who don't get along have to work together while a dangerous arsonist is on the loose.
Release Year: 1991
Rating: 6.6/10 (34,403 voted)
Critic's Score: 38/100
Director:
Ron Howard
Stars: Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Robert De Niro
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.
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
Taglines:
In that instant it can create a hero... or cover a secret.
Release Date: 24 May 1991
Filming Locations: 2834 N Merrimac Ave, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Opening Weekend: $15,723,480
(USA)
(26 May 1991)
Gross: $77,868,585
(USA)
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
The numbers of the fire companies are all "dead" numbers in the Chicago Fire Dept. Engine 17, Truck 46, Engine 24, Truck 6 (now back in service as of March of 2004), & Engine 33, (referred to, not actually seen in the movie), are all out of service. The Chicago Fire Dept. has 24 battalions, battalion 25 was created for the movie.
Goofs:
Continuity:
When Brian is talking to the Alderman during the retirement party, his fork alternates between the plate and his mouth between shots.
Quotes:
[In high rise elevator]
Tim Kizminski:
How are we supposed to know if the floor is on fire in one of these? Lt. Steven McCaffrey:
When the doors open, if it's hot, don't get out.
User Review
Excellent portrayal of actual events
Rating:
Ron Howard did a wonderful job of bringing some of the real-life problems
that firefighters face everyday in Backdraft. I'm kind of tired of
hearing
the Monday morning quarterbacks on this site trying to talk about how bad
it
was and that it wasn't realistic, etc. Take it from a REAL firefighter
who
has lost brothers in REAL fires and has lived through a REAL backdraft,
it's
NOT all fun and games, and it's far from glamourous. This movie did an
excellent job capturing some of the emotions that flow through every
firehouse in America today, particularly after 9/11, we are a brotherhood
in
which the "I go---we go" mentality is a very REAL concept that most of us
live by everyday. And the corruption part of the story, well that's
Hollywood for ya, if it doesn't have death, destruction, and
corruption...then it doesn't sell very well. Yes there are corrupt
politicians and it wouldn't surprise me if things like that did happen,
but
it's far from commonplace and was just to enhance the film and give you a
person to "hate" in the film (JT Walsh, God rest his soul).
So I give it 4 out of 4 stars, very realistic, well directed, EXCELLENT
acting on Kurt Russell and Robert DiNiro's parts, and can't wait til I
find
it on DVD to buy it.
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