Directed by Jay Russell. I walked in expecting an action picture with heroic firemen charging into burning buildings for last-minute rescues. I was surprised it had such an effect. A young firefighter struggling to balance his life with his career is caught up in a life-threatening blaze. Writer: Lewis Colick. Ladder 49 [Jack Morrison]: Burned to death (or dies of smoke inhalation) after being trapped in a burning building that collapses around him; the scene cuts away to a scene of John Travolta informing Jacinda Barrett of Joaquin's death. Ladder 49 Theatrical Release: October 1, 2004 / Running Time: 115 Minutes / Rating: PG-13 Director: Jay Russell Cast: Joaquin Phoenix (Jack Morrison), John Travolta (Captain Mike Kennedy), Jacinda Barrett (Linda Morrison), Robert Patrick (Lenny Richter), Morris Chestnut (Tommy Drake), Billy Burke (Dennis Gauquin), Balthazar Getty (Ray Gauquin), Jay Hernandez (Keith Perez) (Note: The pipe-man holds the water hose nozzle and sprays water onto the fire.) 2004 film that follows the life and heroics of firefighter Jack Morrison (Joaquin Phoenix) from his first day on the job to his last fire, the focal point of the film. Jack dies inside the building. It has been 13 years since a major film centered on firefighters—Backdraft—and between us and then is the fiery specter of 9/11 and the Twin Towers collapsing. The best compliment I can pay "Ladder 49" is to say that it left me feeling thoughtful and sad. Anybody in the military or in public service knows that if department brass and a chaplain show up at … Meanwhile, fellow firefighters led by the Chief attempt to rescue him. The next shot, it's down again. It also stars John Travolta as Deputy Chief Mike Kennedy, his boss with whom he develops a very close friendship, and Jacinda Barrett as Linda, Jack's eventual wife. Jack's death, but especially the next scene, where Linda is tending to their children as the chief and a priest pull up to the house in the red car, and the final mourning scenes begin. Tear Jerker: Jack's death, but especially the next scene, where Linda is tending to their children as the chief and a priest pull up to the house in the red car, and the final mourning scenes begin. Keywords: Drama, Firefighters. Proverbs 24:10-11 (RSV) Ladder 49. As a new probationary firefighter, Jack is assigned all the little jobs at the firehouse. The next shot, the cup is standing up.


Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. Continuity mistake: In the scene where Jack and Lenny are arguing about Dennis's death, the cup on the table gets knocked over. With Joaquin Phoenix, John Travolta, Jacinda Barrett, Robert Patrick. Death by Flashback: The entire film. A firefighter, injured and trapped in a burning building, has flashbacks of his life as he drifts in and out of consciousness. Ladder 49 (26-Aug-2004) Director: Jay Russell. It's All About Love (2003) [John]: Frozen to death while trying to make his way to safety with Claire Danes. Jack is assigned to Fire Station 33 as a pipe-man for Ladder 49. "Ladder 49" has the heroes and the fires and the rescues, but it's not really about them. ; Downer Ending: Jack is unsuccessful escaping, as the only possible exit out of the burning grain elevator turns out to be completely engulfed in flames. Jack radios this to Mike and insists he calls off the other firefighters, who evacuate. Ladder 49 introduces us to the life of Jack Morrison (Joaquin Phoenix), a firefighter for the Baltimore City fire department.