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Backdraft (film)
Encyclopedia
Backdraft is a 1991 action
thriller film directed by Ron Howard
and written by Gregory Widen
. The film stars Kurt Russell
, William Baldwin
, Scott Glenn
, Jennifer Jason Leigh
, Rebecca De Mornay
, Donald Sutherland
, and Robert De Niro
. Jason Gedrick
and J. T. Walsh
co-star in the film. The story is about firefighters in Chicago
on the trail of a serial arson
ist who sets fires with a fictional chemical substance, trychtichlorate.
The film grossed $77,868,585 in its domestic run and $74,500,000 from foreign markets, making it the highest grossing film ever made about firefighters. Its total worldwide gross is $152,368,585.
firefighter
s at Engine 17, two of whom are brothers. Lt. Stephen "Bull" McCaffrey (Kurt Russell
), the elder, is obsessed with beating the fires that he fights. He is always at the most dangerous part of a conflagration. Brian McCaffrey (William Baldwin
), Stephen's brother, has labored under his brother's shadow all his life. He returns to firefighting after a number of other career attempts falter, though Stephen has doubts that Brian is fit to be a firefighter. As a child, Brian witnessed the death of their father, Dennis (also played by Kurt Russell
), firsthand when a gas pipe ruptured and burned him alive.
Donald "Shadow" Rimgale (Robert De Niro
) is an arson investigator dedicated to his profession. He is called in because a number of recent fires appear connected. Arson
ist Ronald Bartel (Donald Sutherland
) has been imprisoned for many years. He appears very normal on occasions but at the mention of fire he becomes obsessed with the idea of living fire, one that takes over not only buildings but people's lives. Rimgale manipulates this to ensure Ronald's annual application for parole is turned down. Brian consults Ronald for advice when Brian cannot determine the missing link in the recent arsons. The longest serving of all the firefighters, John "Axe" Adcox (Scott Glenn
), served under the McCaffreys' father in the Chicago Fire Department
and was like an uncle to the two boys when their father died. He takes great pride in his work and loves the department. He attacks fires head on, but is concerned about Stephen's unorthodox methods and disregard for safety procedures. When 17 answers a call in a highrise, Stephen urges them to move in quickly to take out the fire despite Adcox's advice to wait for back-up. Brian's friend and fellow "probationary fireman" trainee Tim Krizminski (Jason Gedrick
), under Stephen's wing, accidentally opens a door only to be met by a backdraft. His face is burned beyond recognition, but he survives. Adcox and Brian both blame Tim's condition on Stephen's reckless tactics.
Martin Swayzak (J. T. Walsh
) is an alderman
on the Chicago City Council
. He hopes to be elected mayor, but has had to make a number of budget cuts to the fire department. Many of the rank and file firemen believe that the cuts are endangering the firefighters' lives. It is revealed during an investigation that Swayzak was paid off by businessmen and contractors to shut down firehouses so they could be converted into community centers, with the businessmen receiving contracts for the construction. Helen McCaffrey (Rebecca De Mornay
) is Stephen's estranged wife and the mother of their son, Sean. Helen has grown fearful of Stephen's dedication to firefighting and the risks he takes. While they are still in love, she separated from Stephen to protect herself and Sean. Jennifer Vaitkus (Jennifer Jason Leigh
) is Brian's ex-girlfriend and works in Swayzak's office. Her loyalties are torn between her job and Brian. She eventually sides with Brian, recognizing the danger her boss is putting firefighters in through his self-centered actions.
Stephen confronts Adcox about the deadly backdrafts during a multiple-alarm fire
at a chemical plant. Adcox admits that he set the fires to kill associates of Swayzak because he is angered that Swayzak was benefiting both financially and politically from the deaths of firefighters. During the confrontation an explosion destroys the catwalk they are on, and Stephen grabs Adcox's hand while also grabbing the remains of the catwalk with his other hand. Fire from the floor below envelops Adcox, severely burning him. When Adcox requests Stephen let go of him, he responds with "You go, we go" and loses his own grip on the catwalk. Adcox is killed and Stephen is mortally wounded. Brian, having been injured by Adcox during the confrontation, rushes to help other firefighters reach his brother, earning Stephen's respect. Stephen dies on the way to the hospital with Brian at his side, his final request being that Brian not reveal that Adcox was behind the series of fires.
After Stephen and Adcox's funeral, Brian and Rimgale, with the help of the police, interrupt a press conference that Swayzak is hosting. Rimgale questions Swayzak on a fake manpower study that led to the deaths of several firemen, including Stephen and Adcox, effectively killing Swayzak's mayoral ambitions. As the film ends, Brian suits up and clambers onto Engine 17 as it heads to a fire, then helps another probationary firefighter buckle up his jacket properly and Brian decides to carry on with his firefighting career despite the loss of his father and brother.
, rubber cement from Petronio Shoe Products was used to create some of the fire effects. Also, George Lucas' Industrial Light & Magic were used to help with some other shots that were tricky to shoot, or otherwise unlikely to happen in real life.
, with the consensus "It's not particularly deep, but Backdraft is a strong action movie with exceptional special effects."
nominations (Sound Effects Editing, Visual Effects and Best Sound - Gary Summers, Randy Thom, Gary Rydstrom
and Glenn Williams
). It also received two nominations at the first annual MTV Movie Awards
.
Action film
Action film is a film genre where one or more heroes is thrust into a series of challenges that require physical feats, extended fights and frenetic chases...
thriller film directed by Ron Howard
Ron Howard
Ronald William "Ron" Howard is an American actor, director, and producer. He came to prominence as a child actor, playing Opie Taylor in the sitcom The Andy Griffith Show for eight years, and later the teenaged Richie Cunningham in the sitcom Happy Days for six years...
and written by Gregory Widen
Gregory Widen
Gregory Widen is an American screenwriter and film director.A student in UCLA's screenwriting program, he sold his script for Highlander while still an undergraduate. Before entering the UCLA program, Widen attended Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, California.Widen worked as a firefighter for...
. The film stars Kurt Russell
Kurt Russell
Kurt Vogel Russell is an American television and film actor. His first acting roles were as a child in television series, including a lead role in the Western series The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters...
, William Baldwin
William Baldwin
William Joseph "Billy" Baldwin is an American actor, producer, and writer, known for his starring roles in such films as Flatliners , Backdraft , Sliver , Fair Game , Virus , Double Bang , as Johnny 13 in Danny Phantom , Art Heist , The Squid and the Whale , as himself...
, Scott Glenn
Scott Glenn
Theodore Scott Glenn is an American actor. His roles have included Wes Hightower in Urban Cowboy , astronaut Alan Shepard in The Right Stuff ,Emmett in Silverado , Commander Bart Mancuso in The Hunt for Red October , Jack Crawford in The Silence of the Lambs and The Wise Man in Sucker Punch -Early...
, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Jennifer Jason Leigh
Jennifer Jason Leigh is an American film and stage actress, best known for her roles in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Single White Female, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Georgia and Short Cuts...
, Rebecca De Mornay
Rebecca De Mornay
Rebecca De Mornay is an American film and television actress. Her breakthrough film role came in 1983, when she played Lana in Risky Business opposite Tom Cruise...
, Donald Sutherland
Donald Sutherland
Donald McNichol Sutherland, OC is a Canadian actor with a film career spanning nearly 50 years. Some of Sutherland's more notable movie roles included offbeat warriors in such war movies as The Dirty Dozen, , MASH , and Kelly's Heroes , as well as in such popular films as Klute, Invasion of the...
, and Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro, Jr. is an American actor, director and producer. His first major film roles were in Bang the Drum Slowly and Mean Streets, both in 1973...
. Jason Gedrick
Jason Gedrick
Jason Gedrick is an American actor best known for his work on the television series Murder One and Boomtown and the motion picture Iron Eagle....
and J. T. Walsh
J. T. Walsh
James Thomas Patrick "J. T." Walsh was an American character actor. He appeared in many well-known films, including Nixon, Hoffa, A Few Good Men, Backdraft, Miracle on 34th Street, Breakdown, and Good Morning, Vietnam.Walsh was known for his roles as "quietly sinister white-collar sleazeballs"...
co-star in the film. The story is about firefighters in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
on the trail of a serial arson
Arson
Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
ist who sets fires with a fictional chemical substance, trychtichlorate.
The film grossed $77,868,585 in its domestic run and $74,500,000 from foreign markets, making it the highest grossing film ever made about firefighters. Its total worldwide gross is $152,368,585.
Plot
The film tells the story of a group of ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
firefighter
Firefighter
Firefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
s at Engine 17, two of whom are brothers. Lt. Stephen "Bull" McCaffrey (Kurt Russell
Kurt Russell
Kurt Vogel Russell is an American television and film actor. His first acting roles were as a child in television series, including a lead role in the Western series The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters...
), the elder, is obsessed with beating the fires that he fights. He is always at the most dangerous part of a conflagration. Brian McCaffrey (William Baldwin
William Baldwin
William Joseph "Billy" Baldwin is an American actor, producer, and writer, known for his starring roles in such films as Flatliners , Backdraft , Sliver , Fair Game , Virus , Double Bang , as Johnny 13 in Danny Phantom , Art Heist , The Squid and the Whale , as himself...
), Stephen's brother, has labored under his brother's shadow all his life. He returns to firefighting after a number of other career attempts falter, though Stephen has doubts that Brian is fit to be a firefighter. As a child, Brian witnessed the death of their father, Dennis (also played by Kurt Russell
Kurt Russell
Kurt Vogel Russell is an American television and film actor. His first acting roles were as a child in television series, including a lead role in the Western series The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters...
), firsthand when a gas pipe ruptured and burned him alive.
Donald "Shadow" Rimgale (Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro, Jr. is an American actor, director and producer. His first major film roles were in Bang the Drum Slowly and Mean Streets, both in 1973...
) is an arson investigator dedicated to his profession. He is called in because a number of recent fires appear connected. Arson
Arson
Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
ist Ronald Bartel (Donald Sutherland
Donald Sutherland
Donald McNichol Sutherland, OC is a Canadian actor with a film career spanning nearly 50 years. Some of Sutherland's more notable movie roles included offbeat warriors in such war movies as The Dirty Dozen, , MASH , and Kelly's Heroes , as well as in such popular films as Klute, Invasion of the...
) has been imprisoned for many years. He appears very normal on occasions but at the mention of fire he becomes obsessed with the idea of living fire, one that takes over not only buildings but people's lives. Rimgale manipulates this to ensure Ronald's annual application for parole is turned down. Brian consults Ronald for advice when Brian cannot determine the missing link in the recent arsons. The longest serving of all the firefighters, John "Axe" Adcox (Scott Glenn
Scott Glenn
Theodore Scott Glenn is an American actor. His roles have included Wes Hightower in Urban Cowboy , astronaut Alan Shepard in The Right Stuff ,Emmett in Silverado , Commander Bart Mancuso in The Hunt for Red October , Jack Crawford in The Silence of the Lambs and The Wise Man in Sucker Punch -Early...
), served under the McCaffreys' father in the Chicago Fire Department
Chicago Fire Department
The Chicago Fire Department, also known as the CFD, is the principal fire suppression, prevention, and rescue agency of Chicago, Illinois, under the jurisdiction of the mayor of Chicago. The Chicago Fire Department is the second largest fire department in the United States after the New York City...
and was like an uncle to the two boys when their father died. He takes great pride in his work and loves the department. He attacks fires head on, but is concerned about Stephen's unorthodox methods and disregard for safety procedures. When 17 answers a call in a highrise, Stephen urges them to move in quickly to take out the fire despite Adcox's advice to wait for back-up. Brian's friend and fellow "probationary fireman" trainee Tim Krizminski (Jason Gedrick
Jason Gedrick
Jason Gedrick is an American actor best known for his work on the television series Murder One and Boomtown and the motion picture Iron Eagle....
), under Stephen's wing, accidentally opens a door only to be met by a backdraft. His face is burned beyond recognition, but he survives. Adcox and Brian both blame Tim's condition on Stephen's reckless tactics.
Martin Swayzak (J. T. Walsh
J. T. Walsh
James Thomas Patrick "J. T." Walsh was an American character actor. He appeared in many well-known films, including Nixon, Hoffa, A Few Good Men, Backdraft, Miracle on 34th Street, Breakdown, and Good Morning, Vietnam.Walsh was known for his roles as "quietly sinister white-collar sleazeballs"...
) is an alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
on the Chicago City Council
Chicago City Council
The Chicago City Council is the legislative branch of the government of the City of Chicago in Illinois. It consists of 50 aldermen elected from 50 wards to serve four-year terms...
. He hopes to be elected mayor, but has had to make a number of budget cuts to the fire department. Many of the rank and file firemen believe that the cuts are endangering the firefighters' lives. It is revealed during an investigation that Swayzak was paid off by businessmen and contractors to shut down firehouses so they could be converted into community centers, with the businessmen receiving contracts for the construction. Helen McCaffrey (Rebecca De Mornay
Rebecca De Mornay
Rebecca De Mornay is an American film and television actress. Her breakthrough film role came in 1983, when she played Lana in Risky Business opposite Tom Cruise...
) is Stephen's estranged wife and the mother of their son, Sean. Helen has grown fearful of Stephen's dedication to firefighting and the risks he takes. While they are still in love, she separated from Stephen to protect herself and Sean. Jennifer Vaitkus (Jennifer Jason Leigh
Jennifer Jason Leigh
Jennifer Jason Leigh is an American film and stage actress, best known for her roles in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Single White Female, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Georgia and Short Cuts...
) is Brian's ex-girlfriend and works in Swayzak's office. Her loyalties are torn between her job and Brian. She eventually sides with Brian, recognizing the danger her boss is putting firefighters in through his self-centered actions.
Stephen confronts Adcox about the deadly backdrafts during a multiple-alarm fire
Multiple-alarm fire
One-alarm, two-alarm, three-alarm fires, or higher, are categories of fires indicating the level of response by local authorities, with an elevated number of alarms indicating increased commitment of resources. The term multiple-alarm is a quick way of indicating that a fire was severe and...
at a chemical plant. Adcox admits that he set the fires to kill associates of Swayzak because he is angered that Swayzak was benefiting both financially and politically from the deaths of firefighters. During the confrontation an explosion destroys the catwalk they are on, and Stephen grabs Adcox's hand while also grabbing the remains of the catwalk with his other hand. Fire from the floor below envelops Adcox, severely burning him. When Adcox requests Stephen let go of him, he responds with "You go, we go" and loses his own grip on the catwalk. Adcox is killed and Stephen is mortally wounded. Brian, having been injured by Adcox during the confrontation, rushes to help other firefighters reach his brother, earning Stephen's respect. Stephen dies on the way to the hospital with Brian at his side, his final request being that Brian not reveal that Adcox was behind the series of fires.
After Stephen and Adcox's funeral, Brian and Rimgale, with the help of the police, interrupt a press conference that Swayzak is hosting. Rimgale questions Swayzak on a fake manpower study that led to the deaths of several firemen, including Stephen and Adcox, effectively killing Swayzak's mayoral ambitions. As the film ends, Brian suits up and clambers onto Engine 17 as it heads to a fire, then helps another probationary firefighter buckle up his jacket properly and Brian decides to carry on with his firefighting career despite the loss of his father and brother.
Cast
- Kurt RussellKurt RussellKurt Vogel Russell is an American television and film actor. His first acting roles were as a child in television series, including a lead role in the Western series The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters...
as Lt. Stephen "Bull" McCaffrey/Dennis McCaffery - William BaldwinWilliam BaldwinWilliam Joseph "Billy" Baldwin is an American actor, producer, and writer, known for his starring roles in such films as Flatliners , Backdraft , Sliver , Fair Game , Virus , Double Bang , as Johnny 13 in Danny Phantom , Art Heist , The Squid and the Whale , as himself...
as Brian McCaffery - Scott GlennScott GlennTheodore Scott Glenn is an American actor. His roles have included Wes Hightower in Urban Cowboy , astronaut Alan Shepard in The Right Stuff ,Emmett in Silverado , Commander Bart Mancuso in The Hunt for Red October , Jack Crawford in The Silence of the Lambs and The Wise Man in Sucker Punch -Early...
as John "Axe" Adcox - Jennifer Jason LeighJennifer Jason LeighJennifer Jason Leigh is an American film and stage actress, best known for her roles in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Single White Female, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Georgia and Short Cuts...
as Jennifer Vaitkus - Rebecca De MornayRebecca De MornayRebecca De Mornay is an American film and television actress. Her breakthrough film role came in 1983, when she played Lana in Risky Business opposite Tom Cruise...
as Helen McCaffrey - Donald SutherlandDonald SutherlandDonald McNichol Sutherland, OC is a Canadian actor with a film career spanning nearly 50 years. Some of Sutherland's more notable movie roles included offbeat warriors in such war movies as The Dirty Dozen, , MASH , and Kelly's Heroes , as well as in such popular films as Klute, Invasion of the...
as Ronald Bartel - Robert De NiroRobert De NiroRobert De Niro, Jr. is an American actor, director and producer. His first major film roles were in Bang the Drum Slowly and Mean Streets, both in 1973...
as Donald "Shadow" Rimgale - Jason GedrickJason GedrickJason Gedrick is an American actor best known for his work on the television series Murder One and Boomtown and the motion picture Iron Eagle....
as Tim Krizminski - J. T. WalshJ. T. WalshJames Thomas Patrick "J. T." Walsh was an American character actor. He appeared in many well-known films, including Nixon, Hoffa, A Few Good Men, Backdraft, Miracle on 34th Street, Breakdown, and Good Morning, Vietnam.Walsh was known for his roles as "quietly sinister white-collar sleazeballs"...
as Alderman Martin Swayzak - Anthony Mockus, Sr. as Chief John Fitzgerald
- Cedric Young as Grindle
- Juan Ramirez as Ray Santos
- Kevin Casey as Nightingale
- Jack McGee as Schmidt
- Mark Wheeler as Pengelly
Production
According to the article listed on Entertainment WeeklyEntertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
, rubber cement from Petronio Shoe Products was used to create some of the fire effects. Also, George Lucas' Industrial Light & Magic were used to help with some other shots that were tricky to shoot, or otherwise unlikely to happen in real life.
Critical reception
Backdraft received a positive reception. The film currently holds a 73% 'Fresh' rating on Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
, with the consensus "It's not particularly deep, but Backdraft is a strong action movie with exceptional special effects."
Box office
The film grossed $77,868,585 in the US (ranking 14th in box-office for 1991), and $74,500,000 in foreign markets.Awards
The film received three Academy AwardAcademy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
nominations (Sound Effects Editing, Visual Effects and Best Sound - Gary Summers, Randy Thom, Gary Rydstrom
Gary Rydstrom
Gary Roger Rydstrom is an American sound designer and director. He has won seven Academy Awards for his work in sound for movies.-Career:...
and Glenn Williams
Glenn Williams (sound engineer)
Glenn Williams is an American sound engineer. He was nominated for an Academy Award in the category Best Sound for the film Backdraft.-External links:...
). It also received two nominations at the first annual MTV Movie Awards
MTV Movie Awards
The MTV Movie Awards is a film awards show presented annually on MTV . It also contains movie parodies that used official movie footage with hosts and other celebrities and music performances. The nominees are decided by producers and executives at MTV. Winners are decided online by the general...
.