Kelli, the founder of Chicago Movie Tours (www.chicagomovietours.com) and I sat down with Gregory Widen (Backdraft, Highlander, The Prophecy) to discuss the 30th anniversary of Backdraft, shot here in Chicago in 1990 and released on May 24, 1991. Enjoy!
Chicago Movies Tours on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMrDUXoJ-bIn4EnNkx-TxeQ
-----CONTENTS OF THE VIDEO--------------------
00:00 - Intro
02:52 - Selling Highlander
03:37 - What was the inspiration for Backdraft?
04:50 - Why Chicago?
05:32 - Chicago Fire Department Arson Investigator Donald Rimgale
10:33 - How much were you involved in the filmmaking process?
12:51 - The looping process
17:40 - Did you have actors in mind for the roles as you wrote them?
19:54 - Kurt Russell and Practical Effects
22:39 - The Female Characters
24:56 - SCBAs (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus)
28:59 - Sound Design
32:22 - Chicago Names in the Script
34:47 - Did Backdraft encourage firefighter applications?
37:40 - The influence of Backdraft on current "fire" shows / Pitching Backdraft
40:20 - Critics and Backdraft
41:33 - When was the last time you watched Backdraft?
43:11 - Writing Backdraft 2
51:26 - Shooting in Chicago in 1990
54:05 - Backdraft's Legacy
57:03 - Blood Makes Noise
58:52 - Screenwriting vs Fighting Fires
1:03:11 - Wrap Up
Affiliate Links (anything you buy - not just this stuff - through these links helps benefit the show):
Backdraft 4K (also blu-ray):
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Blood Makes Noise by Gregory Widen
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