Feature film, action film
Backdraft – men who go through fire
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“Backdraft” is the name given in technical jargon to the explosive flare-up of a smoldering fire caused by the supply of oxygen in an enclosed space. Too often this has happened in Chicago lately. Arson is believed to be involved. The investigation of the fire inspector Rimgale shows that the two specialists of the troop, the McCaffrey brothers, are at odds and that there seems to be a black sheep in their troop. 20 years ago Brian McCaffrey (William Baldwin) saw his father die in the flames while extinguishing the fire. Only the charred fire helmet and the fleeting celebrity of his photograph in the newspaper remained. Since then, the difficulties in his life have increased, and he keeps coming into conflict with his older brother Stephen (Kurt Russell). In the meantime, he has followed in his father’s footsteps and has become a popular and valued firefighter. His family life, however, is a catastrophe: The marriage with Helen (Rebecca De Mornay) is divorced and the relationship with his son is broken. Stephen doesn’t like it that Brian also decides to work as a firefighter and is assigned to his unit of all people. On his first assignment, Brian acts on his own initiative and thus endangers his colleagues. He is reprimanded by Stephen in front of the entire team. Constantly pursued by his brother’s distrust, he begins to doubt himself and finally takes a job with fire investigator Donald “Shadow” Rimgale (Robert De Niro). Rimgale investigates a number of deadly backdraft explosions, and suspicions of arson are growing ever stronger. But because of the austerity measures implemented by MP Swayzak (JT Walsh), he is making slow progress in his research. There doesn’t seem to be any similarities between the fatalities – but only at first glance. And again the two dissimilar brothers have to work together. After initially suspecting each other, they soon discover to their horror that a man from Stephen’s troop is obviously setting the fires. But why? A showdown finally takes place on the roof of a burning house. Director Ron Howard (“Apollo 13” – 1995, “The Da Vinci Code” – 2006, “Illuminati” – 2009, “Rush – Everything for Victory” – 2013) creates a highly explosive, imposing action thriller with brilliant special effects. At the same time, the film pays homage to the American firefighters who risk their lives every day. Ron Howard skilfully combines the main story with an exciting crime story and a private tragedy. The fire clearly plays the leading role in the thriller “Backdraft – Men Who Walk Through Fire”, but the great cast of cast – Robert De Niro, Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Rebecca De Mornay, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Donald Sutherland – suits him nothing after. The film was nominated for an Oscar for the best visual effects and the best sound effects, and Hans Zimmer won the BMI Film Music Award for the film music.
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