Backdraft (1991)

6.7R131 minDirector: Ron Howard

1991 action thriller film by Ron Howard

Backdraft is a 1991 American action thriller drama film directed by Ron Howard and written by Gregory Widen. Starring Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Rebecca De Mornay, Donald Sutherland, Robert De Niro, Jason Gedrick and J. T. Walsh, it follows Chicago firefighters on the trail of a serial arsonist.

It was released on May 24, 1991, to generally positive reviews, and grossed $152.4 million worldwide. It received three Academy Award nominations for Best Sound, Best Sound Editing and Best Visual Effects. It also inspired a special effects attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood, which opened in 1992 and closed in 2010. It was followed by the sequel, Backdraft 2, in 2019, with Baldwin and Sutherland reprising their roles.

Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

FAQ

What is Backdraft about?
Backdraft (1991) — A rookie firefighter tries to earn the respect of his older brother and other firefighters while taking part in an investigation of a string of arson/murders. This detailed look into the duties and private lives of firemen naturally features widespread pyrotechnics and special ef
Is Backdraft based on a true story?
See the production background and source material details on the official Wikipedia article.
Is Backdraft scary?
Content rating: R. See the reviews tab for parental guidance and tone notes.