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, Rovi
- Genre: Suspense & Thriller
- Category Action Thriller, Detective Film, Disaster Film
- Theme: Race Against Time, Sibling Relationships
- Studio: Universal Studios
- Language: French, English, Spanish
- Subtitle Language: French, Spanish, English
- Release Date: July 10, 2011
- Lead Actor: Donald Sutherland, Robert De Niro, William Baldwin, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh
- Supporting Actor: Andre Melchor, Mike Mangano, Zita Visockis, Walter Williams, W. Earl Brown, Tom Clark, Tim Grimm, Ron West, Robert Swan, Neil J. Francis Jr., Joan Esposito, Gregory Widen, F. Pat Burns, Dennis Liddiard, Cay de Vos, Beep Iams, Anthony C. Ellis Jr., Tony Mockus Jr., Thomas A. Senderak, Rick Reardon, Kevin Crowley, Kelsey E. McMahon, Joe Guastaferro, James Ritz, J.R. Byrnes, Ilene Kwitney, Ian A. Nevers, Don Rimgale, Don Herion, David Westgor, David Luckenbach, David Crosby, Bob Rice, Bob Krzeminski, John Duda, Ryan Todd, Clint Howard, Mark Wheeler, Jack McGee, Cedric Young, Tony Mockus Sr., J.T. Walsh, Jason Gedrick, Rebecca De Mornay, Scott Glenn, Richard Lexsee, Peter C. Hobert Jr., Nydia Rodriguez Terracina, Michael Allen Mark, Leslie A. Ford, Kevin M. Casey, Juan Ramirez, Jane MacIver, Jane Alderman, Irma P. Hall, Fidel Moreno, Charles Burns Jr., Carlos Sanz, Kevin Petersen, Zan Heber, Wanda Christine, Tony G. Chrisos, Scott Baity, Razz Jenkins, Marcella de Tineo, Louise Woolf, Kathryn Jaeck, Karel King, J.J. Chaback, Hollis Resnik, Harry Hutchinson, Gretchen Erickson, Gregory Lundsgaard, David A.C. Saunders, Burton Stencel, Andrew Lipschultz
- Director: Ron Howard
awards
- Nominations: Academy Awards (3)
- Nominee: Academy Awards, Best Sound Effects, 1991, Gary Rydstrom, Richard Hymns
- Nominee: Academy Awards, Best Sound, 1991, Gary Rydstrom, Randy Thom, Glenn Williams, Gary Summers
- Nominee: Academy Awards, Best Visual Effects, 1991, Scott Farrar, Clay Pinney, Mikael Salomon, Allen Hall
