Backdraft has always been my favorite movie. Come on, who can forget when that movie first came out, All the "wackers" coming to movie theatre with there pagers one, knowing that they are out of their district, dragged the love ones to see it and they didn't want to. And who can not forget the famous line of the movie, "You go, We go!"
Ladder 49 in my opinion is 100 times better than Backdraft. My reasoning is Ladder 49 is more realistic, you see them wearing packs and even pass devices. They crawl in a fire and dont stand straight up like they do in Backdraft. Every fire fighter knows if you stand up in a bad fire your gonna get burned. They didnt even wear hoods in backdraft. Ladder 49 actors actually took fire 1&2 before filming wich is also cool. What is a "wacker"? Is that another word for "Voley"? I wear my pager anywere I go b/c I just got use to putting it in my pocket, I even took it on vacation once by accident. hahaha
Permalink Reply by alan on January 21, 2009 at 5:14pm
i found them both very entertaining, and also saw a very good firefighter movie called 'Fireproof', which shows some real troubles firefighters face in everyday lives and relationships... But Backdraft wins hands down out of this discussion.
"Funny thing about firemen, night or day, they're always firemen" - Backdraft
I loved Backdraft when it came out but then Ladder 49 came out and I have a new favorite. But you definately can't forget the Towering Inferno. That was one big glass tower!!!
As far as being more realistic, Ladder 49 wins. BUT, Backdraft was, is, and always will be the best firefighting movie ever. The all-star cast, along with all the ballsy scenes ("You go, We go" and "John Wayne time, boss, you're on you're own!), the comical firefighter scenes (5" through the car and the probie late for work & having to run down the engine), and the drama involving the brothers and the arsonist (The response to the chemical factory when Bull and Axe eye each other up always gives me chills) create, easily, the best firefighting movie ever.
Hellfighters with John Wayne is by far the best firefighter movie ever. Can't beat old Red Adair! As for Backdraft and Ladder 49, both awesome, Ladder 49 is a bit more realistic. Backdraft is entertaining though, remember "Dig in......I said dig in dammit!" and the guys flip a table and await the rollover. That's classic. Ladder 49 realistic on the station life. Giving probies grief, pranks with animals. You know I have been trying to catch a goose for 5 years now. They are elusive birds, but when I catch one, there will be a new policy issued. Guaranteed!
Now that was a classic. Would love to find that movie somewhere. Of course anything with firefighting you can catch me watching. Although I agree that I was addicted to Backdraft. However, after being in the F.D. off and on I would catch myself making comments on what they might be doing wrong. Although my new love is Ladder 49.