SMOKE JUMPERS

aka In the Line of Duty: Smoke Jumpers

True Story - 1996

STARRING

ADAM BALDWIN, LINDSAY FROST, TIMOTHY CARHART, ROB YOUNGBLOOD, LYNETTE WALDEN, SPENCER GARRETT, JANA MARIE HUPP, NOAH EMMERICH.

WRITTEN BY GY WALDRON & STEPHEN HARRIGAN

DIRECTED BY DICK LOWRY

CHARACTER:

Don Mackey

CHARACTERS STORY:

--SPOILER AHEAD--

Adam stars in the true life story of fire-fighter Don Mackey. Mackey is a unique kind of fire-fighter called a 'Smoke Jumper', who dive into forrest fires from planes. In the span of the movie, Mackey falls in love, battles it out for a rare promotion, has two kids and splits fromk his now wife. He does eventually get back together with the mother of his kids and all seems to be going well until he is killed while trying to save other fire-fighters from a massive forrest blaze. Ultimately, 'Smoke Jumpers' is about the heroic story of Don Mackey.

THE FILM:

THE REVIEWS:

TONY SCOTT FOR VARIETY (FEB 9TH 1996):

"A steak-and-potatoes vidpic about husky firefighter Don Mackey (played by Adam Baldwin with assured virility), "Smoke Jumpers" sticks to the heroic mold. Writers Gy Waldron and Stephen Harrigan offer a straight forward story that could catch viewers off-guard: Suspense may be minimal, lily-white nice guys may finish last, but director Dick Lowry and Baldwin hand the earnest hero conviction.

Mackey drops out of planes with his fellow U.S. Forest Service smoke eaters to put out forest fires; he's unwittingly competing with ambitious fireman Timmerman (Rob Youngblood).

Mackey falls hard for barkeep Rene (Linda Frost), a single mom who returns the compliment. The script wastes no time on formalities (or on gratuitous sex scenes); atmosphere, characters and slow dancing in the bar give the telefilm a becoming, if poky, rusticity.

Everyone's a good sort, even if Timmerman is too ambitious; he's taken care of. The vidpic's humor is full of either gusto or tenderness, and the humanness of Don and Rene gives the work whatever drive it has.

Rene and Don start a family, and it begins to look like everything's okey-dokey -- until the dedicated guy is faced with a choice of blanketing fires or domesticity. The conclusion is significant and moving.

Baldwin's a force as Don, and Frost works Rene into a strong, admirable woman. There are no psychological blowups, no startling plot shifts, no human depths plumbed. The vidpic takes its time getting to the point and reflects on heroics, on American pioneering and on strong individuals who do what they're destined to do.

The fire scenes are often impressive, and the telefilm touts the bravery of the firefighters. Unencumbered by vulgarity or crudeness, it's a 1930s adventure pic without the formula; it may not pull Nielsen mobs, but it'll catch viewers seeking an adventuresome story about two people in love.

Tech credits are fine, with all involved following their line of duty."

LEAFANS REVIEW:

When I first saw 'Smoke Jumpers' I didn't like it. It was just too dull and TV-movie like to be a favorite, but then I watched it again and I learned to fully appreciate the films heart and soul. It's a true story about honest people and is a pleasure to watch, even if it is a bit slow. The acting is superb, especially from Baldwin who really brings the film to life as 'Don Mackey'. You can certainly learn to appreciate the role of these particular type of firefighters (if you didn't already) and it makes it a very likable film. The music to the film is worth a note too, setting the tone, it's done by Mark Snow of 'X-Files' fame. Thumbs up!

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FILMING LOCATIONS:

Placerville, US.

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