Backdraft [HD] DVD

Backdraft
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, All Movie Guide

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 Tony Mockus, Sr. as Chief John Fitzgerald 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

Crew Carol Wood - Art Director Todd Hallowell - Associate Producer Jane Jenkins - Casting Janet Hirshenson - Casting Monica Devereux - Choreography Larry de Waay - Co-producer Jodie Lynne Tillen - Costume Designer Ron Howard - Director Michael Hill - Editor Daniel Hanley - Editor Brian Grazer - Executive Producer Raffaella de Laurentiis - Executive Producer Hans Zimmer - Composer (Music Score) Timothy R. Sexton - Musical Direction/Supervision Larry de Waay - Production Designer Albert Brenner - Production Designer Mikael Salomon - Cinematographer Larry de Waay - Production Manager Richard Barton Lewis - Producer John Watson - Producer Pen Densham - Producer William Fosser - Set Designer Garry Lewis - Set Designer Harold L. Fuhrman - Set Designer Gary Baugh - Set Designer Mikael Salomon - Special Effects Allen Hall - Special Effects Mike Johnson - Stunts Walter Scott - Stunts Gregory Widen - Screenwriter Steven E. de Souza - Screenwriter Richard Hymns - Sound Effects Editor Robert "Bobby Z" Zajonc - Pilot

Backdraft
Quite possibly one of the best films ever made about arson and firefighting, Backdraft has a throwback feel and pays homage to the disaster-thriller tradition. The well-spun script keeps the viewer glued as intriguing fire detective work unfolds, and benefits additionally from the blend of Ron Howard's use of pyrotechnic special effects with some superb acting, a combination which lends glamour to the already-romanticized world of firefighting. Although the anthropomorphisizing of fire is a bit heavy-handed and the sub-plots extraneous and far-flung, Backdraft's twisting narrative is tightly wrapped and makes for some good, nailbiting entertainment. Robert De Niro and Donald Sutherland give excellent performances in their respective roles as the fire chief sleuth and the depraved arsonist, and Kurt Russell and Billy Baldwin are also solid as firefighting sibling rivals. Despite its blockbuster appeal and budget, audiences responded lukewarmly to its somewhat far-fetched concept and the result was a lackluster showing at the box office. ~ Mike DiBella, All Movie Guide
 

Allen Hall: Academy, Best Visual Effects (nominated) Clay Pinney: Academy, Best Visual Effects (nominated) Gary Rydstrom: Academy, Best Sound Effects (nominated) Gary Rydstrom: Academy, Best Sound (nominated) Gary Summers: Academy, Best Sound (nominated) Glenn Williams: Academy, Best Sound (nominated) Mikael Salomon: Academy, Best Visual Effects (nominated) Randy Thom: Academy, Best Sound (nominated) Richard Hymns: Academy, Best Sound Effects (nominated) Scott Farrar: Academy, Best Visual Effects (nominated)

General Specifications: Language Options: English, Spanish, French Subtitle Options: Spanish, French Sound Processing: DD5.1: Dolby Digital w/ sub-woofer channel DD2: Dolby Digital Stereo Additional Features: Ron Howard introduction Deleted scenes Igniting the story: director Ron Howard, producer Brian Grazer, and others discuss the evolution of the film from script to screen Bringing together the team: from the casting room to firefighter clinics, see how director Ron Howard brought together a talented team of actors and real-life firefighters The explosive stunts: filmmakers reveal the state-of-the-art technology and heroic stunts that created the explosive action of the film Creating the villian - the fire: see how an overwhelmingly talented team of special effects creators and stunt coordinators worked together to bring the fire to life Real-life firemen, real-life stories: get an insider's perspective on what it takes to be a firefighter in this round-table discussion with the crew of Station 73, Santa Clarita DVD Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1: Cinemascope MPAA Rating: R DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: Content Length: 138 min