Backdraft Reviews

1990

Rated:
70
from 8885 members

Two feuding brothers carry on a heroic family tradition in the Chicago Fire Department. Before the smoke clears, love affairs are rekindled and lives are shattered as the brothers fight to resolve their differences and solve a puzzling series of arson attacks, each ignited by explosive phenomena known as backdrafts. Read more

Starring	Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Robert De Niro, Scott Glenn
Director	Ron Howard
Genres	Action/Adventure, Thriller

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Critics' reviews (6) of Backdraft
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Director Ron Howard has become one of the most accomplished of Hollywood craftsmen, and this sturdy star-studded fare was deservedly a mainstream hit. Kurt Russell and William Baldwin are the two warring, firefighting brothers who have to cope with a rash of fires sparked by a seemingly deranged arsonist, whose lethal “backdrafts” are resulting in death and destruction. The plot is hardly original, but Howard marshals the sprawling elements with great finesse and the fire footage, if harrowing at times, is genuinely exhilarating. The list of stars is never-ending: supporting the two leads are Scott Glenn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Robert De Niro, Rebecca De Mornay and the late JT Walsh.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
Being a fireman is just like belonging to a football team, or so screenwriter Gregory Widen would have us believe. 'You... read more on Time Out
- Time Out
- Posted 04 Nov 2008
Overheated, muddled melodrama saved from tedium by its fiery special effects.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Backdraft
View all
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

one of my fav.2 fireman brothers, alec baldwin--etc.. try to keep the tradition going, with the family, good music score. worth the watch
- - dal#1 from SUFFOLK
  - Posted 26 May 2004 20:13
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Backdraft better than i expected

The first of it's kind i have seen and if must say i was pleasently suprised. The movie was exciting and showed the true heroism of the american fireman. I thought the story was quite thrilling but could have tried to focus abit more on the investigation into the arsen attacks.
- - A customer from london
  - Posted 04 Jul 2005 20:44
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Total rubbish.

Do yourself a favour, book in for some root canal work, or a trip to Netto! This is made for US day time TV. Pathetic nonesense!

Don't think that Robert DeNiro or Donald Sutherland's appearance bestows any quality, they both play only cameo roles.

The special effects during the fire scene are clever, very good, but the other 98% is pure total cringe factor 10 cr@p.
- - John White from Ramsgate, Kent.
  - Posted 20 Jan 2006 15:51
Most recent members' reviews (2) of Backdraft
View all
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Total rubbish.

Do yourself a favour, book in for some root canal work, or a trip to Netto! This is made for US day time TV. Pathetic nonesense!

Don't think that Robert DeNiro or Donald Sutherland's appearance bestows any quality, they both play only cameo roles.

The special effects during the fire scene are clever, very good, but the other 98% is pure total cringe factor 10 cr@p.
- - John White from Ramsgate, Kent.
  - Posted 20 Jan 2006 15:51
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

one of my fav.2 fireman brothers, alec baldwin--etc.. try to keep the tradition going, with the family, good music score. worth the watch
- - dal#1 from SUFFOLK
  - Posted 26 May 2004 20:13

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

one of my fav.2 fireman brothers, alec baldwin--etc.. try to keep the tradition going, with the family, good music score. worth the watch
- - dal#1 from SUFFOLK
  - Posted 26 May 2004 20:13
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Backdraft better than i expected

The first of it's kind i have seen and if must say i was pleasently suprised. The movie was exciting and showed the true heroism of the american fireman. I thought the story was quite thrilling but could have tried to focus abit more on the investigation into the arsen attacks.
- - A customer from london
  - Posted 04 Jul 2005 20:44
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Total rubbish.

Do yourself a favour, book in for some root canal work, or a trip to Netto! This is made for US day time TV. Pathetic nonesense!

Don't think that Robert DeNiro or Donald Sutherland's appearance bestows any quality, they both play only cameo roles.

The special effects during the fire scene are clever, very good, but the other 98% is pure total cringe factor 10 cr@p.
- - John White from Ramsgate, Kent.
  - Posted 20 Jan 2006 15:51
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

all time action film!

This movie is an all time film, if you are into those movies with it all - this is for you.. It's a few years old now and ok new films have all the effects, but i beleive is one of those movies for its time set the standards for movies that followed!
- - A customer from Swansea, Wales
  - Posted 06 Jun 2006 20:05
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Wow

This is an excellent film.

I love Kurt Russell films.

The acting is surperb and I love Robert De Nero.

I would advise anyone to watch this film as its one of the best films that someone has reccomended to me.
- - Carys Clancy from Bridgend
  - Posted 01 Sep 2007 20:37
good

brilliant movie loved it, why not try it if you havent already
- - A customer from england
  - Posted 04 Sep 2005 15:07
hot

a believable story and some great fire action try it for youself
- - A customer from wolverhampton england
  - Posted 21 Oct 2005 07:50
Fantastic

I went to see this film at the cinema when it first came out (long time ago!)I cried my eyes out then and done the same again watching it this time. If you have not seen, it is one to watch!!
- - A customer from Scotland
  - Posted 30 Dec 2005 15:34
Backdraft

Always be a film worth seeing,a good film well acted,Needs few words other than RENT THIS as you wont be dissapointed
- - A customer from Durham,England
  - Posted 25 Apr 2006 unknown
awesome

i just cant get enough of this film think i will have to go out and buy this one
- - A customer from england
  - Posted 11 Jan 2007 19:45

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Critics' reviews (6)
Director Ron Howard has become one of the most accomplished of Hollywood craftsmen, and this sturdy star-studded fare was deservedly a mainstream hit. Kurt Russell and William Baldwin are the two warring, firefighting brothers who have to cope with a rash of fires sparked by a seemingly deranged arsonist, whose lethal “backdrafts” are resulting in death and destruction. The plot is hardly original, but Howard marshals the sprawling elements with great finesse and the fire footage, if harrowing at times, is genuinely exhilarating. The list of stars is never-ending: supporting the two leads are Scott Glenn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Robert De Niro, Rebecca De Mornay and the late JT Walsh.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
Being a fireman is just like belonging to a football team, or so screenwriter Gregory Widen would have us believe. 'You... read more on Time Out
- Time Out
- Posted 04 Nov 2008
Overheated, muddled melodrama saved from tedium by its fiery special effects.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
"...BACKDRAFT prides itself on the authenticity of its action sequences..."
- Sight and Sound
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
"...Solid performances....An earnest testimonial to firefighters..."
- Rolling Stone
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
"...Brilliant....Astonishing..."
- USA Today
- Posted 11 Mar 2005

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- Backdraft - HD DVD Version
  
  Two feuding brothers carry on an heroic family tradition in the Chicago fire Department. Whilst trying to resolve their own differences, they must solve a baffling series of arson attacks. Each fire ignited by the phenomena known as backdraft....