Backdraft (DVD)

...shots in the shower. Backdraft has all this but also much more. It has love, hatred, and all the emotions in between as we find that it is not all about putting out fires but starting them too.

This film was made in 1991 and directed by the awesome Ron Howard who I'm sure some of you will remember from his younger years in Happy Days along with Henry Winkler who played The Fonz. He's come a long way since that very successful 70s show ...
...these days and it's because of the forthcoming Da Vinci Code that I've made my way back to one of his earlier achievements. In between of course he has directed top films such as Far and Away, Apollo 13, Ransom and the wonderful A Beautiful Mind. He seems to be very versatile and this is shown by the fact he also directed How The Grinch Stole Christmas featuring Jim Carrey.

Written by Gregory Widen, who also wrote the Highlander series ... more

I'm not sure exactly what it is that first attracted me to this film - well ok then I admit it - it was all to do with the thought of those lovely muscular bodies in uniform performing daring acts and perhaps even a couple of naked back shots in the shower. Backdraft has all this but also much more. It has love, hatred, and all the emotions in between as we find that it is not all about putting out fires but starting them too.

This film was made in 1991 and directed by the awesome Ron Howard who I'm sure some of you will remember from his younger years in Happy Days along with Henry Winkler who played The Fonz. He's come a long way since that very successful 70s show though and is more well known for producing and directing these days and it's because of the forthcoming Da Vinci Code that I've made my way back to one of his earlier achievements. In between of course he has directed top films such as Far and Away, Apollo 13, Ransom and the wonderful A Beautiful Mind. He seems to be very versatile and this is shown by the fact he also directed How The Grinch Stole Christmas featuring Jim Carrey.

Written by Gregory Widen, who also wrote the Highlander series and Prophecy, this film features a host of stars and is the story of 2 brothers with a family history of becoming fire fighters, even though their father was killed years before which was witnessed by the younger brother. Although they haven't always got on, the elder brother Stephen wants to protect his younger sibling Brian and after a bit of a scare during a fire, Brian is encouraged to join the fire investigation squad. The race is then on to catch the arsonist responsible for setting backdrafts - a sophisticated set up where the fire is starved of oxygen and this causes the fire to stop but the build up of gases and smoke continue to stay very hot so that if oxygen is then re-introduced into a room for example by opening a door then the flames can restart as the gases expand and often explode. This then causes the fire to quite literally blow itself out.

Set in Chicago this film is multi-faceted - there is of course the battle of sibling rivalry, love, heartache, and lots of exciting special effects which were created in the days of stunt men and pyrotechnics as opposed to computer imaging. There is also the fascinating detail about the investigation side of fires - one which seems to be forgotten in the many films and tv series made about firefighters.

Although this is 2 1/4 hours long it certainly doesn't feel it and at no time was I ever bored with this film. The soundtrack certainly helps as the music composed by Hans Zimmer completes this movie by getting the right mixture of suspense and action throughout. There are also the well placed snippets of songs like Heatwave included which add to the mood of the film. Of course Hans Zimmer has had plenty of experience of this with previous films like Days of Thunder and Twister. Latterly he is been famous for composing work for Gladiator and is also involved in the future Da Vinci Code.

The main characters are as follows:-

Lt Stephen McCaffrey is the older more protective brother who let his younger brother go on the 'shout' with their father years before when he died in the line of duty and feels he has to look after him as he tries to persuade him not to join the fire service. His broken marriage has contributed to making him more daring in fires and he truly believes that he will never suffer the same fate as his father as he understands fire more. He is determined not to lose his brother the same way and does everything he can to dissuade Brian from doing this dangerous job. Although he succeeds, he loses his brother's respect for a time and this sends Stephen into more despair.

Played by Kurt Russell - god he looked good as a fireman. I think Kurt Russell is a very talented actor and has showed this in his many different types of roles over the years, as he has appeared in various tv shows and many many films, some of which would surprise you. For example he was in a episode of The Man from UNCLE in 1964 and also Gunsmoke in 1974. In 1979 he played the title role in Elvis and was the voice of the adult Copper in Disney's Fox and the Hound. I personally think he's great in his comedy roles such as Overboard with Goldie Hawne his long term partner and Big Trouble in Little China but he does play action roles splendidly and this is no exception. Watch out for the scenes of his father as he does a double for the part of him playing Dennis McCaffrey as he goes off to his death.

Brian McCaffrey is the baby brother who sees his father burn and there is constant tension as he tries to live up to his father and brother's great reputations. He can't quite hack the harshness of reality in the job itself though which he finds out when he can't force himself to take on 'the animal' (the fire) on a shout. Thanks to his ex girlfriends connections he moves to the fire investigation team where instead of putting out the fires he tries to work out how to catch the arsonist as he puts the clues together alongside his new partner Donald Rimgale nicknamed The Shadow. As the film goes on we see his character maturing and becoming more confident in his convictions and despite many twists and turns along the way he finally gets the courage to face his fears and play the hero.

William Baldwin plays Brian and has plenty of experience with family members in the same profession as he has 3 brothers of his own who are very well know in the acting world. They are of course, Alec, Daniel and Stephen which must have given him the background knowledge for this type of family role. His character goes through quite a transformation through this film and his acting is superb throughout. His softer good looks compliment the more ruggedness of Kurt Russell perfectly and the conflicting bond between them is very realistic.

Donald Rimgale is the investigator otherwise known as The Shadow by an arsonist who's life he saved during a shout and which caused him massive burns. He brings the world of investigation to us and is an unwilling teacher to Brian who he feels has only been placed with him to try and cover up a political candidates wrong doings. Until that is a friend of Brian's is injured during one of these fires and he sets out to teach him all he knows about starting fires and using special chemicals to create the backdraft.

Robert De Niro plays this part superbly which is no real surprise to me as he seems to be good in any role he plays. From the comedy genius of Meet the Parents to earlier classics such as The Deer Hunter and Goodfellas this man has done it all and his experience comes through perfectly here. This is one film where the mobster in him stays at bay although we see he is still no pushover.

Although these are the main stars of this movie we also see a host of others.

Rebecca De Mornay plays Stephen's estranged wife who obviously still loves him but is too scared to be with him because of the dangers he puts himself in.

Jennifer Jason Leigh who has since gone on to star in films such as Single White Female and Existenz gives a reasonable performance as the ex girlfriend of Brian. There is still chemistry between them although tensions come into play as he asks her to put her job on the line and give him secret files that could incriminate her boss, Alderman Marty Swayzak - played by J.T. Walsh.

Scott Glen is the senior fireman John 'Axe' Adcox who helped raise the McCaffrey brothers and worked with their father. He hates the conflict between the brothers and he has issues with the way Stephen has been acting since the break up of his marriage. He is also extremely angry about the closure of fire stations in the area which leaves the crews lacking when back up is required.

Donald Sutherland is fantastic as the arsonist Ronald Bartel saved by Shadow years before and we first meet him at a parole hearing where it is clear that he sickeningly loves fire and burning things more than life itself. Although when trails go cold he is asked to help the investigators get into an arsonists mind and gives the clues needed to catch the culprit. As always he gives a brilliant performance as the strange and nasty killer and is one of these characters you hate so much it's scary.

The storyline of this movie is excellent and it has enough twists to keep you guessing. Just when you think you know who has been setting the fires it all changes and a new scenario is uncovered. The action scenes are wonderfully done although they do seem a little over the top and predictable at the end which I won't give away for anyone out there that hasn't seen this older film yet.

The emotion in this film is highlighted for me in a moment when Stephen looks towards his brother and says quite simply "Look at him... That's my brother god damnit". This moment is where he finally admits that he is proud of his little brother and I have to say I get a lump in my throat at that point every time I watch this.

There is also a bit of comedy thrown in too which I feel is essential for any film of this type and my favourite lines are when probationer Tim asks Stephen whilst in a lift, "How are we supposed to know if the floor is on fire in one of these?" To which Stephen replies, "When the doors open, if it's hot, don't get out."

The most impressive thing about this film though for me is that it doesn't appear to have aged much despite being nearly 15 years old. It is still as enjoyable to watch now as it was all those years ago when I went to the cinema to see it. Although the special effects were much more impressive on the big screen than a tv at home. It still holds my attention throughout and still has me gasping at the uncertainty of some scenes. The plot keeps you enthralled right to the end and you find yourself hoping that some things won't happen again even though you know they will.

This dvd can be bought for around £6.99 from Play.com and although it doesn't have a great deal of extras on it I found the cast biographys to be quite interesting and the production notes watchable. It is worth the money though for the film alone and this is one of my favourites from the early 90s.

I hope I have relived some memories for those of you who have seen this and have introduced this wonderful film to those who haven't sufficiently for you to want to see it. For the stunts alone it is well worth watching.

 

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