Summer movies are in full swing! For nearly half a century, Hollywood movies and national television has been drawn to the core stories and inherent drama of firefighting and the unique relationships that develop within a fire company. And for just as long? They’ve gotten it right – and wrong – in equal measure. From the movie The Towering Inferno and the TV series Emergency! to Ron Howard’s blockbuster Backdraft and Denis Leary’s inimitable series Rescue Me, here’s what they get right and not so right, plus thumbnails for stories you might want to stream or start watching yourself.

What Hollywood Gets Right: Human Drama & Relationships.

Why do producers, directors and writers gravitate to fire companies and firefighters for stories? Because there are few threads within the tapestry of America that cannot be represented by the men, women and families who are a part of our nation’s full-time and volunteer fire companies. Hollywood loves stories about the human condition: success, challenges, loss, victories, defeat, teamwork and purpose. How that all affects both individuals who serve as firefighters and the families and friends withiin their orbit is the stuff of realistic drama. In the words of one Alpha Member: “Hollywood gets the camaraderie right. That we’re there for each other, no matter what. And they’re usually pretty accurate with the fact that none of us is perfect; all of us have flaws that affect our jobs and our families in ways that are pretty unique.”

What Hollywood Gets Wrong About Firefighting: The Actual Firefighting.

The actual process of fighting a fire can be very dramatic; but the reality of it doesn’t always translate well to drama unless you embellish the truth—which at the end of the day IS Hollywood’s job — to tell and sell a great story, sometimes at the expense of authenticity. For one thing? Visibility inside our breathing apparatus mask is difficult—what you see in movies is rarely what we see when we’re fighting a fire. Visibility inside actually burning buildings is virtually zero—that’s why coordination, communication and positioning and training is so critical. There’s almost no way for a movie to convey the intense heat a firefighter is exposed to, and how you can sweat out POUNDS of water weight during a call. Most of all? Movies tend to exaggerate the subtle nature and danger of living fires—the “puffing door” in BACKDRAFT, for example, is a complete exaggeration designed to visually explain a very real physical phenomenon and danger. But that’s what movies and TV are there for—to dramatize real-life occupations and situations so you, the viewer, can get an approximation of what we go through in both our professional and personal lives.In that, Hollywood generally gets it right. Just remember that movies and TV are just that; they are “for entertainment only” — not training films!

Here’s A Partial List & Links For Some Firefighting Movie & TV Classics.

Ladder 49 Engaging story told largely in flashback from the perspective of a firefighter with a broken leg trapped inside a burning building. Stars Joaquin Phoenix, John Travolta and Jacinda Barrett. Rescue Me The trials, tribulations and haunts of a New York firefighter post 9-11 that is rife with dark humor and human drama. Starred comedian Denis Leary in a decidedly different role. Emergency! 1970’s-era story of the members of Squad 51 and the Paramedical Rescue Service within the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Starred Randolph Mantooth (greatest name ever), John Tighe and Julie London. Backdraft Generational story of firefighting brothers within the storied “17” company in Chicago, squaring off against city corruption and a clever arsonist. Kurt Russell, Robert DeNiro, and Rebecca DeMornay lead an all-star cast. The Towering Inferno Classic 1970s disaster movie about a fire that breaks out in a state-of-the-art San Francisco high-rise. One of the first films to defined the phrase (and usefulness) of an “all-star cast” including Steve McQueen, William Holden and Faye Dunaway. Chicago Fire Current TV series set in Chicago’s “Firehouse 51” dramatizes the daily drama and challenges of firefighters, rescue squad and paramedic personnel. Jesse Spencer, Taylor Kinney and Monica Raymund, star. World Trade Center While not specifically a firefighting “movie”, this tale of two Port Authority officers trapped in the rubble of the World Trade Center bears mentioning as capturing the true indomitable spirit of first responders everywhere. Michael Pena and Nicholas Cage star. Have a favorite not on the list? Share your thoughts on our FaceBook page beneath the article!