Backdraft

Theatrical Release Date: 1991 05 24 (USA)

UPC: 025195053068

Studio: Universal Studios

MPAA Rating: R   Contains:[Violence, Nudity, Not For Children, Adult Language, Profanity]

Summary: The sons of a Chicago fireman who gave his life in the performance of his duties, firefighting brothers Kurt Russell and William Baldwin carry their lifelong sibling rivalry into their work. Russell is convinced that Baldwin hasn't got what it takes to remain in the fire department. Baldwin is transferred to a "safe" assignment, assisting arson investigator Robert DeNiro, who is trying to make sense of a series of fires involving an oxygen-induced ball of fire called a backdraft. The investigation reveals a link between corrupt alderman J. T. Walsh and imprisoned pyromaniac Donald Sutherland. The trail of evidence leads Baldwin to suspect that his brother Russell, a much-decorated hero, may be the "inside" man setting up the arsons. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Category: Thriller

Awards: Best Sound – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound Effects – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound Effects – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Visual Effects – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Visual Effects – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Visual Effects – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Visual Effects – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Features: Ron Howard Introduction
Deleted Scenes
Igniting The Story
Director Ron Howard, Producer Brian Grazer and others discuss the evolution of the film from script to screen

Bringing Together The Team
From the Casting room to Firefighter clinics, see how Director Ron Howard brought together a talented team of actors and real-life firefighters

The Explosive Stunts
Filmmakers reveal the state-of-the-art technology and heroic stunts that created the explosive action of the film

Creating The Villain: The Fire
See how an overwhelmingly talented team of special effects creators and stunt coordinators worked together to bring the fire to life

Real-Life Firemen, Real-Life Stories
Get an insider's perspective on what it takes to be a firefighter in this round-table discussion with the crew of Station 73, Santa Clarita

Backdraft

Format: Blu-ray

Release Date: 01/04/2011

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Cinemascope

Audio: DHMA null, DTS Digital Theater Systems, DHHR null, DD2 Dolby Digital Stereo

Runtime: 120 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English,French,Spanish

Subtitles: English,French,Spanish

Mike DiBella

Quite possibly one of the best films ever made about arson and firefighting, Backdraft has a throwback feel and pays homage to the disaster-thriller tradition. The well-spun script keeps the viewer glued as intriguing fire detective work unfolds, and benefits additionally from the blend of Ron Howard's use of pyrotechnic special effects with some superb acting, a combination which lends glamour to the already-romanticized world of firefighting. Although the anthropomorphisizing of fire is a bit heavy-handed and the sub-plots extraneous and far-flung, Backdraft's twisting narrative is tightly wrapped and makes for some good, nailbiting entertainment. Robert De Niro and Donald Sutherland give excellent performances in their respective roles as the fire chief sleuth and the depraved arsonist, and Kurt Russell and Billy Baldwin are also solid as firefighting sibling rivals. Despite its blockbuster appeal and budget, audiences responded lukewarmly to its somewhat far-fetched concept and the result was a lackluster showing at the box office. ~ Mike DiBella, Rovi

Cast and Crew: David Crosby  Actor 
Gretchen Erickson  Actor 
Zan Heber  Actor 
Bob Krzeminski  Actor 
Jane MacIver  Actor 
Fidel Moreno  Actor 
James Ritz  Actor 
Nydia Rodriguez Terracina  Actor 
Tom Clark  Actor 
Walter Williams  Actor 
F. Pat Burns  Actor 
Jane Alderman  Actor 
Tony G. Chrisos  Actor 
Tim Grimm  Actor 
Kathryn Jaeck  Actor 
David Luckenbach  Actor 
Tony Mockus, Jr.  Actor 
Bob Rice  Actor 
W. Earl Brown  Actor 
Leslie A. Ford  Actor 
Peter C. Hobert, Jr.  Actor 
Michael Allen Mark  Actor 
Kevin Petersen  Actor 
Carlos Sanz  Actor 
Zita Visockis  Actor 
Joe Guastaferro  Actor 
Kevin M. Casey  Actor 
Cay de Vos  Actor 
Harry Hutchinson  Actor 
Dennis Liddiard  Actor 
Kelsey E. McMahon  Actor 
Rick Reardon  Actor 
Thomas A. Senderak  Actor 
Ron West  Actor 
Jane Jenkins  Actor 
Charles Burns, Jr.  Actor 
Kevin Crowley  Actor 
Joan Esposito  Actor 
Don Herion  Actor 
Ilene Kwitney  Actor 
Mike Mangano  Actor 
Ian A. Nevers  Actor 
Gregory Widen  Actor 
Scott Baity  Actor 
Wanda Christine  Actor 
Anthony C. Ellis, Jr.  Actor 
Irma P. Hall  Actor 
Razz Jenkins  Actor 
Gregory Lundsgaard  Actor 
Don Rimgale  Actor 
Robert Swan  Actor 
Karel King  Actor 
J.R. Byrnes  Actor 
Neil J. Francis, Jr.  Actor 
Richard Lexsee  Actor 
Juan Ramirez  Actor 
David A.C. Saunders  Actor 
Louise Woolf  Actor 
J.J. Chaback  Actor 
Marcella de Tineo  Actor 
Beep Iams  Actor 
Andrew Lipschultz  Actor 
Andre Melchor  Actor 
Hollis Resnik  Actor 
Burton Stencel  Actor 
David Westgor  Actor 
Janet Hirshenson  Actor 
Raffaella de Laurentiis  Executive Producer 
Steven E. de Souza  Screenwriter 
Pen Densham  Producer 
Brian Grazer  Executive Producer 
Ron Howard  Director 
Richard Barton Lewis  Producer 
Gregory Widen  Screenwriter 
Hans Zimmer  Composer (Music Score) 
John Watson  Producer 
Kurt Russell  Actor 
William Baldwin  Actor 
Robert De Niro  Actor 
Donald Sutherland  Actor 
Jennifer Jason Leigh  Actor 
Scott Glenn  Actor 
Rebecca De Mornay  Actor 
Jason Gedrick  Actor 
J.T. Walsh  Actor 
Tony Mockus, Sr.  Actor 
Cedric Young  Actor 
Jack McGee  Actor 
Mark Wheeler  Actor 
Clint Howard  Actor 
Ryan Todd  Actor 
John Duda  Actor 

Country: USA