The film opens with Jack Morrison (Phoenix) saving a man's life in a burning warehouse in Locust Point (Baltimore). However, the grain being stored in the warehouse explodes, sending Jack tumbling several floors where he breaks his leg. The film follows the efforts of the other men in his unit lead by Deputy Chief Mike Kennedy (Travolta), his longtime mentor, to rescue him while Jack tries to reach a safe area of the burning structure. Interspersed with the current rescue efforts are a series of flashbacks showing how Jack joined the fire department, his meeting with the woman who would become his wife, his relationship with his children, and the bond he formed with his fellow firefighters.
After some time working with the firefighting unit (Engine 33) Jack takes a position as a search and rescue member (who enter the burning buildings to locate and rescue people trapped by the fire) on Ladder 49, making his work much more dangerous and challenging as the years pass. (Engine 33 and Ladder 49 are kept at the same firehouse, Engine 33 Co, and Mike Kennedy is then only a Captain). He finds the work rewarding, but his wife is initially concerned for his safety and opposes the change; however, she eventually accepts his new role and even talks him out of taking an administrative position when it is offered to him. He suffers some traumatic experiences, such as the loss of a friend in the line of duty, and also another friend's severe injury while searching for victims. One night he is able to break through to a small girl trapped in a burning apartment, but is trapped himself briefly before being rescued. Both he and his colleague receive the Medal of Valor for their actions.
Back at the grain building fire the efforts by Jack's fellow firefighters are extremely determined, and Jack does his best to reach the possible safe area that Mike told him about. However, upon reaching that room he sees that the only exit is cut off by raging flames, and Jack realizes that his situation is hopeless. He radios Mike to pull his men back, so no one else will be hurt while trying to rescue him. Mike reluctantly agrees, and Jack accepts his fate to die in the fire. At Jack's funeral, Mike delivers an emotional eulogy which receives a standing ovation from friends and family in attendance. Jack's body is then carried to his resting place with full honors. The film ends with Mike and fellow firefighters going on a call and a final shot of him and Jack coming out of his first ever burning building since joining the department.
Ladder 49 is a 2004 drama film about the rescue of Baltimore firefighter Jack Morrison who is trapped inside of a structure fire, and his recollection of the events that got him to that point. The movie is a celebration of the firefighting profession, and the life that comes with it. It was directed by Jay Russell, and stars Joaquin Phoenix and John Travolta.
The film received two nominations for Teen Choice Awards, and won the BMI Film Music Award.
