Backdraft (1991)

Scott Glenn: John Adcox

Photos 

Quotes 

• John 'Axe' Adcox : Gentlemen, gentlemen, gentlemen. As 17's official toastmaster...

  Ray Santos : ...and bullshitter.

  John 'Axe' Adcox : Thank you, Santos. Did I happen to mention you're cut out of my will?

  [Continuing] 

  John 'Axe' Adcox : I think it appropriate that we recognize the two asswipes... Probationary Firemen... among us today who were officially baptized into the world of Old Man Fire. First, to Tim. Despite the fact that he has a rather dull expression, and a really hideous pair of ears; he not only took on the beast but pulled from its clutches, assisted by a more famous and brilliant firefighter, me, a kicking and screaming civilian who will probably wind up suing us for breaking her fingernails. And to Brian! Help me Santos!...

  John 'Axe' Adcox : [pulls up mannequin]  Here she is!

  John 'Axe' Adcox : ...whose own contribution was not only more beautiful but less likely to sue. You know, when I learned that both McCaffrey brothers would be assigned at the same station together at the same time, my heart was filled with... a sudden desire to transfer. So raise a glass, gents. To funny-looking Tim, and the McCaffrey brothers, who have gotten on each other's nerves and still managed after all these years to still be pissed off at each other. Gentlemen...

  ALL : [jokingly]  Fuck you!

• Schmidt : Hey, Axe, you know this rug rat?

  John 'Axe' Adcox : Know him? I practically raised him.

  John 'Axe' Adcox : He never calls. He never writes.

  Firefighter Brian McCaffrey : [introducing himself]  I'm Brian.

  Grindle : I'm sorry.

• John 'Axe' Adcox : Your Dad died saving my life and these people were killing firemen for MONEY!

• John 'Axe' Adcox : [after a drunken Steve causes a brawl at a party]  Jesus Christ, Steve, have you ever wondered why you're stuck a lieutenant for life?

• Lt. Steven McCaffrey : Jesus Christ, Axe!

  John 'Axe' Adcox : You don't understand. My cousin, my cousin Sally used to work in Swayzak's office. She saw the files, Stephen. She saw what he did!

  Lt. Steven McCaffrey : You set me up with those chemicals on the boat?

  John 'Axe' Adcox : I'm trying to explain! I'm trying to explain to you, Stephen!

  Firefighter Brian McCaffrey : Stephen!

  John 'Axe' Adcox : You back off!

  Lt. Steven McCaffrey : Axe!

  John 'Axe' Adcox : Somebody had to stop these pricks, Stephen!

  Lt. Steven McCaffrey : Look at me, Axe.

  John 'Axe' Adcox : Will you please listen to me?

  Lt. Steven McCaffrey : What were you thinking? You burned people! You're a fireman!

  John 'Axe' Adcox : When Sally showed me what was in Swayzak's files...

  Firefighter Brian McCaffrey : You saw Swayzak's files?

  John 'Axe' Adcox : I should've told you. I should've let you in on it.

  Firefighter Brian McCaffrey : Let him in on what, John? Murder?

  John 'Axe' Adcox : Swayzak and those assholes were clamping firehouses! They were getting our friends killed for money! I had to, Stephen! I had to do it for the department!

  Firefighter Brian McCaffrey : Did you do it for Tim, John?

  John 'Axe' Adcox : That was an accident!

  Lt. Steven McCaffrey : Did you start that fire?

  John 'Axe' Adcox : Jesus Christ! Why did you have to go in there so fucking early?

  Lt. Steven McCaffrey : That's why you wanted me to wait!

  John 'Axe' Adcox : Let me finish Swayzak!

  Firefighter Brian McCaffrey : No, John! It's over!

  John 'Axe' Adcox : You shut up! Your dad would fucking puke if he saw how you shit on his department!

  Firefighter Brian McCaffrey : What would he say about what you're doing, John?

  John 'Axe' Adcox : Your dad died saving my life. He died saving my life and these people were killing firemen for money!

  Lt. Steven McCaffrey : Swayzak.

  John 'Axe' Adcox : He killed our friends for money! What the fuck would you do?

  Firefighter Brian McCaffrey : Look, you're his lieutenant, Stephen! You've gotta handle this!

  [the roof starts weakening] 

  John 'Axe' Adcox : It's going!

  Lt. Steven McCaffrey : Get to the side, Brian! It's gonna go!

  [Brian runs to the side roof ladder] 

• Firefighter Brian McCaffrey : [tries to start his car, to no avail]  Give me a break, huh! Shit! Come on, damn it!

  [abandons his car and races to the firehouse. As he turns the corner, Truck 46 and Engine 17 leave the firehouse] 

  Firefighter Brian McCaffrey : Oh, shit! My car wouldn't start.

  Tim Kizminski : What are you doing, man?

  Lt. Steven McCaffrey : Attaboy!

  Firefighter Brian McCaffrey : Damn!

  [races after Engine 17] 

  John 'Axe' Adcox : Come on, man, you can make it.

  [Brian jumps into Engine 17]