Backdraft (film)

Backdraft
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Ron Howard
Produced by	Richard B. Lewis John Watson Pen Densham
Written by	Gregory Widen
Starring	Kurt Russell William Baldwin Scott Glenn Jennifer Jason Leigh Rebecca De Mornay Donald Sutherland Robert De Niro
Music by	Hans Zimmer
Cinematography	Mikael Salomon
Editing by	Daniel P. Hanley Mike Hill
Studio	Imagine Films Entertainment
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date(s)	May 24, 1991 (1991-05-24)
Running time	132 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$152,368,585

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 arsonist 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 Chicago firefighters 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. Arsonist 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.

Cast

• Kurt Russell as Lt. Stephen "Bull" McCaffrey/Dennis McCaffery
• William Baldwin as Brian McCaffery
• Scott Glenn as John "Axe" Adcox
• Jennifer Jason Leigh as Jennifer Vaitkus
• Rebecca De Mornay as Helen McCaffrey
• Donald Sutherland as Ronald Bartel
• Robert De Niro as Donald "Shadow" Rimgale
• Jason Gedrick as Tim Krizminski
• J. T. Walsh 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 Weekly, 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.

Theme park attraction

Main article: Backdraft (Amusement park attraction)

Release

Critical reception

Backdraft received a positive reception. The film currently holds a 73% 'Fresh' rating on Rotten Tomatoes, 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 Award 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.

External links

• Backdraft at the Internet Movie Database
• Backdraft at the TCM Movie Database
• Backdraft at Box Office Mojo
• Backdraft at Rotten Tomatoes