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Backdraft Details

FULL SYNOPSIS

The sons of a Chicago fireman who gave his life in the performance of his duties, firefighting brothers Kurt Russell and William Baldwin carry their lifelong sibling rivalry into their work. Russell is convinced that Baldwin hasn't got what it takes to remain in the fire department. Baldwin is transferred to a "safe" assignment, assisting arson investigator Robert DeNiro, who is trying to make sense of a series of fires involving an oxygen-induced ball of fire called a backdraft. The investigation reveals a link between corrupt alderman J. T. Walsh and imprisoned pyromaniac Donald Sutherland. The trail of evidence leads Baldwin to suspect that his brother Russell, a much-decorated hero, may be the "inside" man setting up the arsons. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

  • Release date:May 24, 1991

Awards

Awarded by
Nominee
Category
Year
Status
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Mikael Salomon Best Visual Effects 1991 Nominee
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Randy Thom Best Sound 1991 Nominee
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Richard Hymns Best Sound Effects 1991 Nominee
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Scott Farrar Best Visual Effects 1991 Nominee
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Glenn Williams Best Sound 1991 Nominee
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Clay Pinney Best Visual Effects 1991 Nominee
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Gary Rydstrom Best Sound Effects 1991 Nominee
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Gary Rydstrom Best Sound 1991 Nominee
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Gary Summers Best Sound 1991 Nominee

Cast

Kurt Russell
as Stephen McCaffrey
William Baldwin
as Brian McCaffrey
Robert De Niro
as Donald Rimgale
Donald Sutherland
as Ronald Bartel
Jennifer Jason Leigh
as Jennifer Vaitkus
Scott Glenn
as John Adcox
Rebecca De Mornay
as Helen McCaffrey
Jason Gedrick
as Tim Krizminski
J.T. Walsh
as Martin Swayzak
Cedric Young
as Grindle
Jack McGee
as Schmidt
Mark Wheeler
as Pengelly
Clint Howard
as Ricco
Ryan Todd
as Brian, Age 7
John Duda
as Stephen, Age 12
Rick Reardon
as 1st Paramedic
Carlos Sanz
as 2nd Candidate
Fidel Moreno
as 70's Onlooker
James Ritz
as Mannequin Fire Reporter
Kevin Petersen
as Doctor
David Westgor
as Mannequin Fire Reporter
Don Rimgale
as Party Crony
Jane Alderman
as 4th Reporter
Andrew Lipschultz
as Man on Party Boat
Juan Ramirez
as Ray Santos
Joe Guastaferro
as Donald Cosgrove
Bob Krzeminski
as Captain
Irma P. Hall
as 1st Nurse
David Crosby
as 70's Hippie
W. Earl Brown
as 3rd Paramedic
Jane Jenkins
Janet Hirshenson
Don Herion
as Repairman
Kevin M. Casey
as Nightingale
Tony Mockus, Jr.
as Jackson
Tim Grimm
as Man at Parole Board
Tom Clark
as 1st Retirement Party Schmoozer
Bob Rice
as 1st Detective
Dennis Liddiard
as Party Brawler
Karel King
as 1st Swayzack Aide
Nydia Rodriguez Terracina
as 2nd Nurse
Jane MacIver
as 2nd Retirement Party Schmoozer
Robert Swan
as Willy-Bartender
Richard Lexsee
as Washington
Walter Williams
as Security Guard
Louise Woolf
as Falling Chair Lady
Burton Stencel
as 3rd Retirement Party Schmoozer
Hollis Resnik
as Sally
Razz Jenkins
as Photographer on Boat Party
Joan Esposito
as Television Reporter
Zita Visockis
as Grandma Vaitkus
Kathryn Jaeck
as Mannequin Fire Reporter
Wanda Christine
as Mother at Tenement Fire
Mike Mangano
as Firetruck Driver
Harry Hutchinson
as 3rd Candidate
David Luckenbach
as Security Officer
Gregory Widen
as Engine Lieutenant
Ron West
as Alan Seagrave
J.J. Chaback
as Woman Psychiatrist
Andre Melchor
as 2nd Cop
Gretchen Erickson
as Bar Patron
Beep Iams
as Sean McCaffrey
Kevin Crowley
as 1st Candidate

Crew

Ron Howard
Director
Richard Barton Lewis
Producer
Pen Densham
Producer
John Watson
Producer
Steven E. de Souza
Screenwriter
Gregory Widen
Screenwriter
Mikael Salomon
Cinematographer
Becky Mancuso
Musical Direction/Supervision
Timothy R. Sexton
Musical Direction/Supervision
Hans Zimmer
Composer (Music Score)
Albert Brenner
Production Designer
Larry de Waay
Co-producer
Todd Hallowell
Associate Producer
Brian Grazer
Executive Producer
Raffaella de Laurentiis
Executive Producer
Gary Baugh
Set Designer
Mikael Salomon
Special Effects
Mike Johnson
Stunts
Monica Devereux
Choreography
Jane Jenkins
Casting
Janet Hirshenson
Casting
Robert "Bobby Z" Zajonc
Pilot
Larry de Waay
Unit Production Manager
Richard Hymns
Sound Effects Editor
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