Backdraft

Starring:Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Robert De Niro, Donald Sutherland, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Scott Glenn, Rebecca De Mornay, Jason Gedrick, J.T. Walsh, Anthony Mockus Sr., Cedric Young, Juan RamÃrez, Kevin Casey, Jack McGee, Mark Wheeler, Richard Lexsee, Beep Iams, Ryan Todd, Robert Swan, Clint Howard
Director: Ron Howard
Studio: Universal Studios
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

A somewhat contrived screenplay doesn't stop this thriller from serving up some of the most spectacular fire sequences ever committed to film. Like any Ron Howard production Backdraft is impressively slick and boasts a stellar cast, including Kurt Russell and William Baldwin. The actors play sibling rivals who have been at odds since the death of their firefighter father years earlier. Robert De Niro is the veteran fire inspector who is tracking a series of mysterious and deadly arsons, and Donald Sutherland is effectively creepy as the former arsonist who understands the criminal psychology of pyromaniacs. Rebecca De Mornay, Scott Glenn, and Jennifer Jason Leigh are featured in supporting roles. Backdraft is a triumph of stunt work and flaming special effects. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Backdraft review.......2007-06-27

The fire scenes are way ahead of there time. The plot is figured in a few minutes time but I bought it for the fire effects anyway. ( New HD DVD, player and new 37 in LCD TV.

Great when alight but far too watered-down between infernos.......2007-06-18

Backdraft has some of the most impressive fire scenes ever shot and some daring stunt work (three of the leads, Kurt Russell, Scott Glenn and William Baldwin, are actually billed as stuntmen), but unfortunately it's wrapped up in a trite two-brothers-at-each-other's-throats plot that keeps it from being anything more than a high-priced soap opera with burning buildings. And, it has to be said, it looks a lot less impressive on the small screen than it did on the big one. Despite the ostensibly impressive ensemble cast, some of the supporting performances are weak, with Jennifer Jason Leigh proving big time that she really can't play `normal' while Donald Sutherland's Hannibal Firelighter is too Looney Tunes to convince even in his brief screen time, while Baldwin is a considerably less compelling leading man than Russell but gets the lion's share of the screen time anyway. The result is a modestly entertaining but entirely predictable studio picture that plays everything but the conflagrations safe.

While many of the plethora of deleted scenes on the two-disc special edition DVD are trims or purely redundant, it seems that a lot of the murder mystery plot and much of Robert De Niro's lazy turn as an arson investigator also hit the cutting room floor, alongside a couple of good fraternal confrontations, but there's little to imply that a better film was left on the cutting room floor. There's a good selection of featurettes as well to make up for the original bare-bones release, though it's disappointing that the two good theatrical trailers aren't included in the set.

Backdraft with Kirt Russell.......2007-04-01

This movie of Backdraft was given to my firefighter granddaughter. She had seen it before but was happy to have a copy to own. J. Hall

Over exaggerated action for a dangerous profession.......2007-01-03

I'm going to try to make this short and sweet,and although for the most part I am a fan of many of Ron Howard's films,this one is a bit of a dud.True,the special effects and fire scenes give this film some pizzaz,but not enough to warrent it a 3,4 or 5 star rating.I am in the fire profession myself and I can tell all of you that the action scenes are almost 100% unrealistic and phoney.If any of the things were attempted in real life as seen on screen,Kurt Russel and his crew would have died early on in the begining of the film.The acting was mediocre at best(mostly due to the poorly written script)and really...the best and most interesting characters and parts in the film were portrayed by Robert Deniro as the Fire Inspector and Donald Sutherland as the convicted pyromaniac.Not nearly enough time was spent on them or in the film for that matter.It in fact was probably the most realistic part of the movie at all.All in all,if you want some medioce entertainment and a "macho" portral of Firefighters this one does deliver.Personally,of all the Ron Howard films made,this is my least favorite and is at the bottom of my list.I pretty much hated this film.Not only for its inaccurate portral of the firefighter profession,but because when it came out,every macheesemo guy out there who had something to proove wanted to be a firefighter and the job market was flooded with recruits that had the wrong idea about what being a firefighter is really all about.Its not about rushing into a burning building to be the hero.Most firefighter who are heros are "dead" heros.Firefighting is ranked amongst the most dangerous professions and is for a very good reason.Backdraft is full of hot air and allot of blow hard B.S.To date,there has been no good or accurate depiction of a Firefighter put to film.Maybe one day?

a flawed but admirable effort.......2006-10-12

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.

Average customer rating:

Backdraft review
Great when alight but far too watered-down between infernos
Backdraft with Kirt Russell
Over exaggerated action for a dangerous profession
a flawed but admirable effort

Backdraft
Starring: Kurt Russell , William Baldwin , Robert De Niro , Donald Sutherland , and Jennifer Jason Leigh
Director: Ron Howard
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Crime | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Disaster Films | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Thrillers | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Blackmail, Murder & Mayhem | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

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( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: 0783223609
Release Date: 1997-12-10

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Backdraft review.......2007-06-27

The fire scenes are way ahead of there time. The plot is figured in a few minutes time but I bought it for the fire effects anyway. ( New HD DVD, player and new 37 in LCD TV.

Great when alight but far too watered-down between infernos.......2007-06-18

Backdraft with Kirt Russell.......2007-04-01

This movie of Backdraft was given to my firefighter granddaughter. She had seen it before but was happy to have a copy to own. J. Hall

Over exaggerated action for a dangerous profession.......2007-01-03

a flawed but admirable effort.......2006-10-12

Average customer rating:

Backdraft (HD DVD)
Starring: Kurt Russell , Robert DeNiro , William Baldwin , Jennifer Jason Leigh , and Scott Glenn
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

Crime | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Action & Adventure | HD DVD | Formats | DVD | Video

General | HD DVD | Formats | DVD | Video

Drama | HD DVD | Formats | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000G8P1TG
Release Date: 2006-09-12

Amazon.com

Average customer rating:

Firefighting-a quick look inside this career
Awesome movie combo!

Backdraft / Ladder 49 (2 Pack)

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007Y5U7W

Product Description

Region 1 DVD - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Customer Reviews:

Firefighting-a quick look inside this career.......2006-01-17

Both of these movies have their Hollywood moments, but in all seriousness, they permit you a look inside what the firefighter is all about. The life of firefighters everywhere reflect human beings. They are not perfect, and the rest of the world's population isn't neither. Backdraft, in the first 5-10 minutes, shows how fighting fire in the 1960's of Chicago really was. And as it progresses into the late 80's and early 90's, it shows alot of fire service tradition still hanging around. Ladder 49 is realistic throughout on a calmer scale, although a bit boring...not much Hollywood fire and rescue here. In Backdraft every call was a major incident. Ladder 49 shows the routine side of emergency response...not alot for Hollywood to sell more movies by keeping you on the edge of your seat. Enjoy the movies for what they are...entertainment. They are not real fire scene footage documentaries. They are not training films. They are fiction based Hollywood movies for your enjoyment. Hey, if you appreciate what firefighters do for their fellowman after viewing these movies, then, that's alright. Someone special has to fight the Dragon...and sometimes the Dragon wins.

Awesome movie combo!.......2005-03-29

1991's classic "Backdraft" and 2004's "Ladder 49" are really awesome yet similar movies yet they have their distinctive characters that sets them apart.

The first movie is of two feuding brothers who've had a history of not getting along too well but are forced to abandon their differences when a sudden spike of arson attacks occurs in the ghettos of Chicago and they must find the culprit behind the attacks.

"Ladder 49" is much different yet very similar as it is also an inner-city themed movie but this one takes place in Baltimore and a rookie firefighter starts at the bottom of the ladder but ultimately rises to become a veteran firefighter but faces the worst fire of his career when he is trapped in a burning factory and reflects on his life.

Both of these movies are really great and are highly recommended.

Ron Howard Signature Collection (EDtv/Apollo 13/Backdraft)

Average customer rating:

One of the Best Collections Out There!

Ron Howard Signature Collection (EDtv/Apollo 13/Backdraft)
Starring: Ron Howard
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Drama | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Hellboy (Director's Cut)
Around the World in 80 Days (Widescreen Edition)
The Art of War
The Holiday
Batman Begins [HD DVD]

ASIN: B000035Z3U
Release Date: 2000-01-11

Customer Reviews:

One of the Best Collections Out There!.......2000-06-28

What more could you ask for in a dvd collection.....humor and love with Ed TV, action and drama with apollo 13, and nonstop action with Backdraft. Ed TV makes me laugh all the time, and there is a love story inter-twined within it. I don't care what anyone says either....it is totally different than "The Truman Show" and just as good, if not better. Apollo 13 is one of my favorite movies ever, and all the extra features on the dvd make it well worth the money for the movie just for all the history and stuff of the space mission. Backdraft is just a great action movie, i don't want to talk to much about it, cuz i don't wanna give the movie away or anything, but no one can not like a movie that is filled with fire and burning and pyro-technics. All-in-all, this dvd collection is one of the best and Ron Howard has a gift, and it is shown best in this collection of dvd's!

Average customer rating:

A great movie combo.
Excellent value
Good Value Pack
estupenda dupla

Apollo 13/Backdraft
Starring: Kurt Russell , William Baldwin , Robert De Niro , Donald Sutherland , and Jennifer Jason Leigh
Director: Ron Howard
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00005BJWM
Release Date: 2001-05-22

Customer Reviews:

A great movie combo........2003-06-17

These two movies are absolutely compelling and highly intense and riveting classics for the ages and are both absolutely needs.

BACKDRAFT (1991): I can't even begin to explain how much I absolutely love this dynamite firestorm of a modern classic. The movie is the story of two McCaffrey brothers who have long been in conflict with each other as they try to carry on the family business of firefighting and are forced to put aside their rivalries as they both pursue the culprit of a series of deadly arson attacks occurring all around the Chicago area. The two brothers are in for a surprise for who they discover is responsible for the rash of major fires all over Chicago. Spectacular special effects aren't the only things that light the fires of this movie but also of a great and strong story and how underrated the heroism of firefighting and police business really is. This is especially true in light of 9-11-01 and other acts of crime. "Backdraft" is one of my favorite movies of all time and I highly recommend this movie to everyone. There's little in the way of extras though on the DVD but the picture quality though is much better than the older VHS editions. "Backdraft" is arguably one of the best movies ever made. I give all my praise to all involved in this incredible project.

APOLLO 13: This is based on the ill-fated 1970 mission of the Apollo 13's attempt to land astronauts on the moon when an oxygen tank malfunctioned along with other space module equipment which nearly resulted in the loss of the lives of the three astronauts on board and their quest to return to Earth safely. "Apollo 13" is a marvelous and unsettling true story portrayal of the terrifying events that the astrunautas went through during the ill-fated mission and Tom Hanks is awesome in the movie. The Apollo 13 has gotten the ironic name of a 'successful failure', being that the original goal failed to be met, but the mission to safely return home after near disaster was a 'success'. This movie that documents the events of the mission is a wild ride of a true story. "Apollo 13" is a must-have movie. This DVD, unlike "Backdraft", has extras and the picture quality like the former, is much better than the older VHS edition.

This is a two-punch combo pack of two great movies and are highly recommended. Get both of these movies now! Both are modern classics and are timeless.

Excellent value.......2002-08-15

I don't own too many DVDs, I mostly rent, because of the price. However, the Apollo 13/Backdraft combo is just excellent. I paid about [$$$] for the pack. The general recording and sound quality on both DVDs is excellent. While it is unfortunate that the Backdraft DVD doesn't offer any compelling extras, the Apollo 13 DVD more than makes up for it. There are interviews with Ron Howard, Tom Hanks, and the other cast and crew members. They talk about their parts, how the movie was made, and how they felt about representing this important part of American history.

If anyone is at all a fan of Apollo 13, I highly recommend the DVD. Of course, being packed with Backdraft, also an excellent movie, only increases the value.

Good Value Pack.......2002-01-08

I wasn't aware of Backdraft when I purchased this value pack, I did purchased it beacuse of Apollo 13. Now, after enjoying both movies I can say it was worthy to get them in this pack. For the Apollo 13 DVD I can say that it is just great, all the sound and image quality you expect, you get it. I can't say the same for the Backdraft DVD, because it has no special features to enjoy. In general terms the pack is good, but that is because of the Apollo 13 DVD only.

estupenda dupla.......2001-05-24

apollo 13 es un fantastico dvd, infaltable, imageny sonido realmente muy buenos, backdraft es una pelicula interesante, este tipo de pack presentan una oferta muy buena al momento de decidir una compra

Average customer rating:

Backdraft [Region 2]
Starring: Kurt Russell , William Baldwin , Robert De Niro , Donald Sutherland , and Jennifer Jason Leigh
Director: Ron Howard
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00004VY0H

Average customer rating:

Backdraft review
Great when alight but far too watered-down between infernos
Backdraft with Kirt Russell
Over exaggerated action for a dangerous profession
a flawed but admirable effort

Backdraft [Region 2]
Starring: Kurt Russell , William Baldwin , Robert De Niro , Donald Sutherland , and Jennifer Jason Leigh
Director: Ron Howard
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00004RYNE

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Backdraft review.......2007-06-27

The fire scenes are way ahead of there time. The plot is figured in a few minutes time but I bought it for the fire effects anyway. ( New HD DVD, player and new 37 in LCD TV.

Great when alight but far too watered-down between infernos.......2007-06-18

Backdraft with Kirt Russell.......2007-04-01

This movie of Backdraft was given to my firefighter granddaughter. She had seen it before but was happy to have a copy to own. J. Hall

Over exaggerated action for a dangerous profession.......2007-01-03

a flawed but admirable effort.......2006-10-12

Average customer rating:

Backdraft review
Great when alight but far too watered-down between infernos
Backdraft with Kirt Russell
Over exaggerated action for a dangerous profession
a flawed but admirable effort

Backdraft [Region 2]
Starring: Kurt Russell , William Baldwin , Robert De Niro , Donald Sutherland , and Jennifer Jason Leigh
Director: Ron Howard
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Mummy [HD DVD]
Terminator 3 - Rise of the Machines (2-Disc Widescreen Edition)
Batman Begins [HD DVD]
Ladder 49 (Widescreen Edition)
Mission Impossible - Ultimate Missions Collection (Mission Impossible / Mission Impossible II / Mission Impossible III) [HD DVD]

ASIN: B00004D305

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Backdraft review.......2007-06-27

The fire scenes are way ahead of there time. The plot is figured in a few minutes time but I bought it for the fire effects anyway. ( New HD DVD, player and new 37 in LCD TV.

Great when alight but far too watered-down between infernos.......2007-06-18

Backdraft with Kirt Russell.......2007-04-01

This movie of Backdraft was given to my firefighter granddaughter. She had seen it before but was happy to have a copy to own. J. Hall

Over exaggerated action for a dangerous profession.......2007-01-03

a flawed but admirable effort.......2006-10-12

DVD:

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