Backdraft (1991): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Backdraft is a 1991 action thriller directed by Ron Howard, starring Robert De Niro, Donald Sutherland and Kurt Russell. It runs 2 hours 17 minutes and earned $152.4 million worldwide. It was nominated for 3 Oscars. Critics gave it 73% on Rotten Tomatoes and 39 on Metacritic. Stream it on MGM Plus, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 17m (137 min)
- Director
- Ron Howard
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Universal Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Backdraft About?
The premise of Backdraft without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Amidst a series of mysterious and devastating fires in Chicago, two brothers find themselves on opposing sides of the investigation. One is a skilled firefighter, the other a dedicated arson investigator. Forced to work together, they must set aside their complicated past and bitter rivalry to uncover the truth behind the blazes. As they delve deeper, old wounds resurface, allegiances are questioned, and they confront the true meaning of heroism and family amidst the escalating danger.
Backdraft Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- firefighter
- fire
- arson
- death of brother
- brother brother relationship
- investigation
- rescue
- pyromaniac
- explosion
- funeral
- chicago illinois
- firefighting
+38 more Show fewer
- title spoken by character
- political corruption
- father son relationship
- dysfunctional family
- dysfunctional marriage
- husband wife relationship
- marital separation
- male bonding
- falling to death
- death of husband
- scam
- argument
- arson investigator
- brawl
- punched in the face
- family relationships
- warehouse
- ambulance
- fistfight
- fire station
- fire truck
- corruption
- 1970s
- loss of father
- helmet
- fire hose
- danger
- death of father
- shower
- combustion
- risk taking
- black smoke
- character repeats someone else's dialogue
- parole hearing
- burn scar
- prison
- fire axe
- life magazine
Where to Watch Backdraft
Stream it on MGM Plus, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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Backdraft Cast
Robert De Niro leads the cast, with Donald Sutherland and Kurt Russell. Directed by Ron Howard; 4 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Ron Howard
Backdraft Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Backdraft 73% on Rotten Tomatoes and 39 on Metacritic.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 73% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 75%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 39 Metascore
User score 7.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 67% User score
See on TMDB
Backdraft Plot Summary
What happens in Backdraft from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
At a bustling Chicago firehouse in the unforgettable year of 1971, two brothers, a spirited young boy and his even younger sibling, are excitedly trying on a fireman’s coat. The older brother, Steven McCaffrey, takes on a mentor role, imparting his wisdom—after all, he is preparing Brian to be a proper fireman. Their passion flames brightly as they join their father on one of his fire alarms, but the excursion turns into a heart-wrenching tragedy. Upon arriving at an apartment building engulfed in flames, they witness their father’s courage firsthand. As Steven and his partner, John “Axe” Adcox, valiantly rescue a child, danger looms close.
Full summary
The whole story of Backdraft, scene by scene
Backdraft Box Office
Backdraft grossed $152.4 million worldwide. $77.9 million came from the US and Canada and $74.5 million (49%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$152.4M
- US & Canada
- $77.9M
- International
- $74.5M
Backdraft Awards & Nominations
Backdraft was nominated for 3 Oscars. The 4 nominations come from 2 ceremonies, the most at the Oscars 1992.
4 nominations2 ceremonies
-
Oscars 1992 3 nominations- Nominated Sound
- Nominated Sound Effects Editing
- Nominated Visual Effects
-
BAFTA 1992 1 nomination- Nominated Best Special Visual Effects
Backdraft Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 clip.
- Trailer Backdraft (1991) HD Trailer
- Clip Backdraft | Fighting the Factory Fire in 4K HDR
How Well Do You Know Backdraft?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What tragic event occurs during Brian and Steven's childhood?
Cars in Backdraft
47 cars on screen, including the Mack CF and the 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador.
-
Mack CF Main role -
1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador Main role -
1973 BMW 2002 Important role -
1979 Fiat Spider 2000 Important role
Backdraft Also Known As
33 alternative titles, including “Kymata fotias” and “Malkodet Esh”.
- Also known as
-
- Kymata fotias
- Malkodet Esh
- Cortina de Fogo
- 烈火雄心
- バックドラフト
- Backdraft - Männer, die durchs Feuer gehen
- Fuoco assassino
- Flammehav
- Обратная тяга
- Lánglovagok
- Llamaradas
- Eldstorm
+21 more Show fewer
- Alev Kapanı
- 回火
- Oheň
- Mar de Chamas
- Κύματα Φωτιάς
- מלכודת אש
- Обратна тяга
- Pompiers en alerte
- Ognisty Podmuch
- Povratni udar
- Tulimyrsky
- Marea de Fuego
- 분노의 역류
- 浴火赤子情
- Skersvėjis
- Зворотна тяга
- Tulemöll
- Focul ucigaș
- เปลวไฟกับวีรบุรุษ
- Bức Tường Lửa, საპირისპირო წევა
- Vatrene kacige
Seen Backdraft?
Movies Like Backdraft
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Backdraft 2, Ablaze and Fireback.
Backdraft FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Backdraft, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Backdraft?
Backdraft runs 2 hours 17 minutes (137 minutes).
When was Backdraft released?
Backdraft was released on May 24, 1991.
Who directed Backdraft?
Backdraft was directed by Ron Howard.
More films by Ron Howard Who is in the cast of Backdraft?
Backdraft stars Robert De Niro, Donald Sutherland and Kurt Russell, among 4 credited actors.
Where can I watch Backdraft?
In the US, Backdraft is streaming on MGM Plus and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Backdraft make at the box office?
Backdraft grossed $152.4 million worldwide ($77.9 million domestic, $74.5 million international).
How is Backdraft rated?
Backdraft has 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, 39 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.
Was Backdraft nominated for any awards?
Backdraft received 4 nominations across 2 ceremonies.
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