| Television, Films and Firefighting: by Louis Peter Angeli
Reviews and behind the scenes comments about this nation's most televised profession. |
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| Copyright 1999-2004, Louis Peter Angeli, All Rights Reserved |
| Ron Howard's Tribute to America's Bravest |
| Synopsis: Two feuding brothers carry on a heroic family tradition in the Chicago Fire Department. Before the smoke clears, love affairs are rekindled and lives are shattered as the brothers fight to resolve their differences and solve a puzzling series of arson attacks, each ignited by explosive phenomena known as a backdraft. |
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| Backdraft is quite simply director Ron Howard's tribute to firefighters. Kurt Russell and William Baldwin star as two brothers, one who is the quintessential firefighter – the other one who would like to be. |
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| Their father, a 60’s era Chicago firefighter, lost his life to a huge blaze (the beast) when the brothers were young boys. As adults, the McCaffreys, are now both members of the same fire department. The elder brother Stephen (Kurt Russell), nicknamed "Bull", is a veteran firefighter, who prides himself in taking every blaze straight on. |
| His younger brother Brian (William Baldwin), fresh out of rookie school, seeks to serve out of his brother's shadow. But Brian hopes to serve at a less busy fire station, until he’s able to acuire his “chops”. But following graduation, he finds himself assigned to Bull's station, under the older brother’s much too watchful eye. |
| Russell and Baldwin as feuding firefighting brothers |
| Director: Ron Howard Written by: Gregory Widen |
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| While Bull is something of a legend within Chicago's ranks, all is not perfect in his life. He's estranged from his wife (Rebecca DeMornay), finds little time for his 6 year son, and lives on his father's old dry docked boat. |
| The family drama is set against a subplot, involving a series of suspicious fires that are being investigated by the department's arson specialist, Lt. Rimgale (Robert De Niro). A local Alderman (J.T. Walsh) responsible for major cutbacks in the department – and a dozen station closings -- is pressing Rimgale for answers. |
| After a number of clashes with his brother and superior officer, Brian decides to transfer out – not to another company -- but to Rimgale's arson investigation unit. Once this occurs, the story expands to become more than just sibling rivalry, as the focus shifts to the investigation of arson, murder and other matters. |
| The physics of a backdraft are quite fascinating, and the results spectacular and explosive on the big screen. Backdraft also features some fine special effects and stunts, related to the firefighting scenes. The identity of the arsonist, and the reasons for the crimes, may seem a bit far-fetched, but the film escorts the viewer to a spectacular close. |
| It's more than the average buddy picture -- the characters are better rounded than that -- and the special effects are amazing. Robert DeNiro and Donald Sutherland shine in supporting roles. This motion picture takes a little time to warm up, but the closing hour makes it well worth a viewing |
| Screenwriter Gregory Widen does a great job of explaining both the hatred and respect that firefighters have for fire. Depending on the department, you’ll here it referred to as the dragon, the monster, or as in Backdraft – the beast. I’m told that these metaphysical qualities, may be something only firefighters can appreciate, but believe me this part of the job is very real, and it’s this respect that keeps firefighters alive. |
| Director: Ron Howard |
| Starring: Kurt Russell , William Baldwin , Scott Glenn, Jennifer Jason Leigh , Donald Sutherland , Rebecca De Mornay , Robert De Niro |
| Screenwriter: Gregory Widen |
| Special Effects: Industrial Light and Magic |
| Production Designer: Albert Brenner |
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