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Backdraft
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Metascore
38 out of 100

Generally unfavorable - based on 12 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 12 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Donald Sutherland, Kurt Russell, Robert De Niro, William Baldwin
  • Summary: Stephen McCaffrey (Russell) and his younger brother Brian (Baldwin) are two feuding siblings carrying on an heroic family tradition in the Chicago fire department. Stephen is so relentless that he drives Brian out of firefighting and into arson investigation. Brian becomes involved in a puzzling series of arson attacks, each ignited by explosive phenomena known as backdrafts. Before the smoke clears, love affairs are rekindled and lives are shattered as the McCaffrey brothers fight to resolve their differences and solve the mystery. (Universal)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 12
  3. Negative: 4 out of 12
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    75
    What I regret is that all of the expertise lavished on this movie couldn't have been put at the service of a more intelligent story about real firemen, real working conditions, real heroism, and the real craft and art of fire-fighting.
  2. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    60
    Not only do the firefighting scenes evoke a feeling of gritty authenticity, but the fire itself really does seem to be alive.
  3. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Desson Thomson
    30
    Director Howard is so mesmerized by the flames, he squirts formulaic lighter fluid over everything. A conflagration of hyped-up movie cliches, courtesy of George Lucas's Industrial Light & Magic special effects shop, scalds your face.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Bob
    9
    memorable realistic action and great actors.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. PamL.
    8
    Saw this movie on VHS as a rental and liked it enough to buy it. I found it to be an interesting tale about brothers, teamwork, risk-taking, and trust.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. nellytime
    8
    This movie is a very enjoyable watch... the critics are being far too harsh here!!! "you go, we go!" absolutely epic stuff... maybe i have a bit of 90's nostalgia but do urself a fav and check it ouy!… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

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