Backdraft (1991)

This is actually a 2-disc "Anniversary" special edition.

Digitally Remastered Picture & Sound

2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen

English DD5.1 Surround

English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles

Ron Howard Introduction

Extras:

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Over 40 Minutes of Deleted Scenes

"Igniting the Story" -Director Ron Howard, Academy Award®-winning 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 Fireman, 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 Clarit

MOVIE: In a much needed re-release Universal gives us an incredible 15th Anniversary set for Backdraft. Backdraft is a movie that we see so often nowadays, but Ron Howard executed it in such a way that it remains as one of the best of the "real-life hero tribute" films. The script is filled with contrived dialogue and some incredibly lame and cliched plot turns, but it's the fire footage that makes this film exceed above the rest. The filmmakers initially wanted to go with CGI fire, but the tests done looked so fake that they turned to the real thing. Some amazing scenes are shot in this film that we'll probably never see in a film again due to the fact that CGI has advanced so much over the past decade. The characters are likable and relatable, but the acting is a bit overdone. This isn't the greatest film ever made, but the characters feel real enough to keep a strong emotional connection with the audience, and that's the essence of good filmmaking. Many see Backdraft as the ultimate tribute to firefighters across America, and while the ending of the film sends a tribute, the movie is actually very much centered around the two brothers. Heroism and courage are not central themes of this movie, but it's more about embracing the people around you (not teamwork). The film also features the first collaboration between Ron Howard and Hans Zimmer, in which Zimmer produces one of his best synthesizer based scores. A really good film that finally gets the DVD release it deserves.

VIDEO: Owners of the original Backdraft release will rejoice with this all-new digitally remastered transfer. The colors are solid, but I think they picture could have been sharper. There was no hazing or haloing during the fire scenes though, and that was my biggest fear.

AUDIO: I didn't own the previous set of the Backdraft, but I'm guessing that this Dolby 5.1 mix is the same mix from the old set. If it is new, then it's a shame. The subwoofer get's a good workout and Zimmer's score is prominent but the dialogue and quality overall is not that rich or spread out.

SPECIAL FEATURES: The special features are really short, I went through them in one day. Even though they are short, they are great to watch and are informative. When you play the film you will see a short introduction from Ron in his scruffy beard mode. The best featurette was the "Igniting The Story" one in which we go through the script to screen process. We interview some key people about bringing the movie to life, and surprisingly Hans Zimmer gets his own section about the score. I was so happy to see Zimmer in there discussing his work because composers usually never get any screen time in the special features. The other featurettes cover the casting, stunt work, using fire as a character, and then real-life accounts from real firemen. A great set of features with new interviews mixed in with interviews from 1991.

BOTTOM LINE: Buy this set whether or not you own the old one or not. While not the best work we've seen from Ron Howard, it's definitely one of those movies that takes you on an exciting and emotional ride. It also has the honor of being the definitive film about fire fighters unlike the most recent and forgettable Ladder 49.

Buy Backdraft (1991) Now

At the time of its release, Backdraft was regarded by some critics as an admirable if not flawed homage to the profession of firefighting. Of course, compared to the recent Ladder 49 it seems downright gritty and hard-hitting but still doesn't hold a candle in terms of realism to television's Rescue Me. Still, Ron Howard's film has its heart in the right place and does boast an impressive cast. Looking back at it now, Backdraft was one of Howard's early attempts to be taken seriously as a dramatic filmmaker and an initial bid at Oscar glory something that would elude him until A Beautiful Mind.

Howard's film dutifully trots out the stereotypical characters: the long-suffering ex-wife (DeMornay), the gorgeous but otherwise unimportant love interest (Jason Leigh), the crazy killer (Sutherland), the gung-ho recruit (Gedrick) who is punished for his inexperience, the feuding brothers and so on. What Backdraft does have going for it is how it shows the camaraderie of the men in the firehouse: the good-natured hazing of the new guys, the communal meals and how they watch each other's backs in and out of fires. It is very much a brotherhood and this film brings this out very well.

Speaking of which, the firefighting scenes are well-staged and executed, done before the proliferation of CGI and this gives these scenes a real, visceral quality. It is like the fire is another character, a living, breathing organism with a life of its own and the ability to take one as well. Howard's camera is able to get into the thick of these fires so that there is no safe distance in which to remove oneself from the action. You're right in there with the firefighters.

The best scene in the movie isn't the impressively staged fires but the one between Donald Sutherland's twitchy, crazed arsonist and De Niro's investigator. It lasts only a few minutes but every moment between these two brilliant actors is mesmerizing and truly brings the film to life proving yet again that good acting trumps SFX and stunts every damn time. In fact, Backdraft should have focused on De Niro's intriguing character and his intuitive knowledge of how fires work and what causes them. The screenplay hints at an interesting backstory for him and his relationship with Sutherland's firebug. Instead, it amounts to nothing more than a subplot and a red herring of sorts.

The first disc features an introduction by Ron Howard as he briefly talks about how proud he is of the movie and what else is available on this 2-disc set.

There is 43 minutes worth of deleted scenes that sheds light on Brian's backstory -his nomadic existence, how he dropped out of the academy years ago and how he talks his way back in. There is also more footage of the mysterious arsonist plying his trade that reveals a little too much a little too early in the movie. We also get more of De Niro and Sutherland which is always a treat.

The second disc starts off with "Igniting the Story," a featurette that traces the origins of the project as Howard and his producer Brian Grazer talk about what drew them to it. The screenwriters talk about the genesis of the screenplay while the term "backdraft" is also explained.

"Bringing Them Together: The Team" examines the casting process. Howard knew Kurt Russell from back when they were child actors and had always wanted to cast him in one of his movies. Baldwin, Glenn, Gedrick and, surprisingly, Jason Leigh (who never seemed too enthused about this project) talk about how they got involved in new interviews for this DVD.

"The Explosive Stunts" takes a look at how they pulled off the realistically rendered firefighting scenes. The highlight of this extra is Scott Glenn recounting a particularly dangerous stunt where he came very close to getting seriously burned.

"Creating the Villain: The Fire." After computer effects tests failed, the special effects guys ran all kinds of practical tests to see the various ways they could manipulate fire. Everything was planned out beforehand.

Finally, there is "Real-Life Firemen, Real-Life Stories" with actual firefighters from Station 73 in Santa Clarita, California recounting some of their own personal anecdotes and what they think of the movie. These guys really love what they do and speak passionately about it.

Read Best Reviews of Backdraft (1991) Here

`It lives, it breathes and it hates'. This is the description made by Robert DeNiro's character in Backdraft, stating the volatile nature of something we all fear, but rely on; Fire.

Backdraft is a different movie, filled with characters who are flawed and angry with one another. There are many messages that go along with this movie. I'm not sure where Ron Howard was going with the relationships of the characters, maybe no where and that's ok. Why try so hard to make the relationships go somewhere in such a short amount of time when we can clearly tell that the issues between them are a result of a lifetime of hardships and disagreements. These are not the kind of disputes that get resolved in a short period of time, if ever. You can take away what you want from the movie in that respect.

The movie centers around Brian McCaffrey (William Baldwin), who returns home to Chicago after years of failed business ventures to make sure he doesn't follow the family line of becoming a Firefighter. After giving in and completing the Fire Academy, he is placed in his brother's company, one of the toughest. His brother Steven (Kurt Russell) is still a bit annoyed with him for not deciding to become a fireman right off the bat (Chicago firefighters have a stout tradition for family continuance and stubborn old fashioned fire fighting that has no room for progressive tactics). He seems determined to make sure Brian either stays with it and becomes as good as he is, or quits. Brian takes it personally at every turn. Sibling rivalry ensues.

Subplots abound as we learn that fire stations are being closed for political purposes and Brian finds he has feelings for childhood friend (Jennifer Jason Leigh). DeNiro plays Donald Rimgale, the Fire Investigator that is looking into the Backdraft murders (a phenomenon that causes a fire in a closed room to subside after using all the oxygen, but explodes when O2 is reintroduced from the open door), high level politicians and businessman are being killed with this method and it becomes an MO. DeNiro is solid in his role as the Arson investigator, spouting lines about loving fire and understanding it's nature. Kurt Russell is good as he swaggers through his role, a character who attacks fire, knowing for some reason that he won't ever be killed by it. Baldwin seems lost as usual, but the character himself is somewhat lost trying to decide what to do in his personal struggle. Leigh doesn't seem interested in her role but manages to get through and Rebecca De Mornay plays the small role she has as Steven's estranged wife with great world-weary realism. Scott Glenn, mercilessly put in a shaved down role, is good as well. The best character though is Donald Sutherland, playing Ronald Bartel, a pyro-psycho who is locked up in a mental institution. He comes up for release occasionally and Rimgale goes in and repeatedly proves just how insane he still is, no matter what he tricks the doctors and release board into thinking. Sutherland is obviously having the most fun with his part. His character is called upon to help find out who is behind the Backdraft murders.

The biggest character of the film though is the fire, and it is astounding. Even though the movie is over 11 years old, it holds up today. With a combination of real fire exaggerated with computer affects in some spots, the visual result is frightening and actually looks alive in some scenes. All in all, the movie is good, although there are a lot of elements squeezed in to make it somewhat epic, and even though it doesn't quite reach that status, it is a good all around movie with great action, emotion and special effects.

Want Backdraft (1991) Discount?

"Backdraft is the story of two brothers. After the death of their firefighter father, older brother Steven (Kurt Russell) follows Dad's footsteps into the Chicago Fire Department. Younger brother Brian (William Baldwin) bounces from one scam or get-rich-quick scheme to another. But Brian eventually winds up back in Chicago in the Fire Department, and in Steven's Co. 17, no less. They go back and forth for a while, until finally Steven drives Brian out of the department and into arson investigation. Brian winds up working for an arson investigator (Robert De Niro) investigating a series of murders-by-arson.

This movie features a stellar cast, giving mostly excellent performances. Special notice should be given to Russell, in what I think is his best performance ever. J.T. Walsh gives an excellent supporting performance as the sleazy Alderman Swayczak, as do Rebecca De Mornay as Steven's estranged wife and Scott Glenn as Firefighter "Axe" Adcox. Donald Sutherland is especially creepy, yet charming as an imprisoned arsonist to whom De Niro and Baldwin go to for advice on identifying the arsonist. Baldwin and Jennifer Jason Leigh (playing Brian's girlfriend and Swayczak's aide) could have held up their parts better, but that doesn't detract from the movie as a whole.

The fire is the real star of this movie. The special effects are truly incredible, and have to be seen to be believed. This movie boasts the best effects I've ever seen in a non-science-fiction movie. Whoever the effects man is should have won an Oscar for the fire scenes in this movie.

Some may criticize the ending for being overly sentimental, but every single time I see this movie, I get choked up during Steven's last scenes. As an older brother, I really identified with Steven and how he wants the best for his brother, but he isn't quite sure of the line between pushing him to improve and pushing him down.

The special effects alone are worth getting this movie, but director Ron Howard put together an all-star cast that (mostly) managed to put together a movie in which the plot isn't entirely overshadowed by the effects. All in all, a very good movie that's well worth your $15.

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