WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Backdraft
Genre:Action Adventure

Reviewed In Issue 01 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Donald Sutherland, Robert De Niro

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 5
Sound Rating: 5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): MCA/Universal Home Video
(Catalog Number): 41131
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $$39.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 135
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): No
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1991
(LD Release Date): 11/91
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Ron Howard
(Screenplay/Written By): Gregory Widen
(Story): NA
(Music): Hans Zimmer
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Albert Brenner
(Visual Effects): Industrial Light & Magic
(Costume Designer): Jodie Tillen
(Editor): Daniel Hanley & Michael Hill
(Supervising Sound Editors): Richard Hyms
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): NA
(Co-Producers): Larry DeWaay
(Producers): Richard B. Lewis, Pen Densham & John Watson

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Super 35
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.39:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.0:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A & 70mm 6 Track Dolby
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital): No
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround): No
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Ron Howard’s superbly crafted film is a tribute to the more than one million active firefighters in the U.S. today. Outstanding are the remarkably accurate images of the fire scenes, providing a very convincing level of realism. The story revolves around two brothers and their struggles with life, love and career.

LaserDisc Picture:
The transfer is impeccable with color fidelity and sharpness at reference quality. The transfer, at an aspect ratio of 2:1, provides slightly more image top and bottom than what was shown theatrically.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack design gives the fire its own haunting and eerie “voice” which heightens the sense and anticipation danger throughout the film. The Dolby SR® recorded soundtrack is one of the finest examples of an aggressive surround envelopment ever produced. At a loud level you will absolutely feel the heat of the action all around you. Few soundtracks have more chilling sound effects than are heard throughout the spirited action sequences. This is one of those special soundtracks that is truly of demonstration caliber.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz): No
(Aggressive System Surround): Yes
(Intense 25Hz Bass): No
(Deep Bass Challenging): No
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield): Yes
(Aggressive Split Surround): No
(Center Back Surround Imaging): No
(Directionalized Dialogue): No
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: