Is Only the Brave Based on a True Story? Plot and Ending
by Aishwarya R
Updated Apr 11, 2023
Only the Brave
Only the Brave is a biographical drama movie released in 2017, directed by Joseph Kosinski and written by Ken Nolan and Eric Warren Singer. The story is based on Sean Flynn's GQ article "No Exit" and focuses on the Granite Mountain Hotshots, an elite firefighting team from Prescott, Arizona. In June 2013, while battling the Yarnell Hill Fire, the team lost 19 of its 20 members, and the film pays tribute to their memory. The movie boasts an ensemble cast that includes Josh Brolin, James Badge Dale, Jeff Bridges, Miles Teller, Alex Russell, Taylor Kitsch, Ben Hardy, Thad Luckinbill, Geoff Stults, Scott Haze, Andie MacDowell, and Jennifer Connelly.
Principal photography for the film began in June 2016 in New Mexico. It was released by Columbia Pictures in North America and Summit Entertainment in other territories on October 20, 2017. Despite having a budget of $38 million, the movie only grossed $26.3 million worldwide, making it a box-office failure. However, it was well-received by critics, who praised the cast and the film's poignant homage to its real-life subjects. The movie is dedicated to the Granite Mountain Hotshots and their families.
Is Only the Brave Based on a True Story?
Yes, Only the Brave is a true story based on the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a highly skilled firefighting team who battled the Yarnell Hill Fire in Arizona during late June 2013. Hotshots are elite crews who use chainsaws, shovels, and controlled fires to contain wildfires.
The movie centers around the Yarnell Hill Fire, which started on June 28, 2013, due to dry lightning. A combination of sudden weather shifts, temperatures over 100 degrees, and drought intensified the flames, causing the fire to grow from 300 acres to over 2,000 acres in just two days. The fire was eventually contained by July 2 and declared 100% contained by July 10, 13 days after it had started. However, the focus of Only the Brave is on the Granite Mountain Hotshots, 19 of whom lost their lives fighting the fire on June 30, 2013.
The Granite Mountain Hotshots were established in 2002 as part of the Prescott Volunteer Fire Department and were trained by Eric Marsh, played by Josh Brolin in the film. Hotshot firefighters use fire instead of water to contain forest fires. They create control lines by burning a path through the fire's fuel, which prevents the fire from spreading further. In 2008, the team got their own firehouse and became Crew 7, helping to fight many fires in the area over the following five years before the tragic loss of their lives.
Only the Brave Plot
The movie follows the story of Eric Marsh, who heads the Fire and Rescue Crew 7 of Prescott, Arizona. During their response to the Cave Creek Complex Wildfire, Eric predicts that a nearby neighborhood will be threatened by the fire, but his concerns are dismissed by the assigned hotshot superintendent. When Eric's prediction comes true, he vents his frustration to his close friend, fire chief Duane Steinbrink. Eric requests Duane's help in obtaining hotshot certification for his crew, so they can fight fires directly.
Brendan McDonough, a drug abuser who is unemployed, finds out that his ex-girlfriend Natalie is pregnant with his child, but is not allowed to see her. After being arrested for larceny, Brendan's mother kicks him out of the house. In need of a job, Brendan meets with Eric and is given a chance to join the crew. During a wildfire deployment, Eric's crew finally gets evaluated and becomes the Granite Mountain Hotshots after successfully halting the fire.
As the season goes on, the job becomes more demanding, with the Granite Mountain Hotshots deployed across the country. Brendan is allowed to see his daughter, but after being bitten by a rattlesnake during a fire, he approaches Eric about transferring to structural firefighting. Eric snaps at Brendan, saying that nobody on the structure side would hire an ex-con like him. Later, after a serious argument with his wife Amanda, Eric announces that he is ready to settle down and start a family.
Only the Brave Ending Explained
The Granite Mountain Hotshots receive a call to battle the Yarnell Hill Fire, with Eric informing Jesse that he will step down as superintendent after the season and offering him the job. Eric also apologizes to Brendan and promises to help him transfer to structural firefighting. During a controlled burn, an airtanker mistakenly douses the area, and the crew relocates while Brendan acts as a lookout. Suddenly, the wind shifts, and the fire becomes too intense to tackle safely, forcing the crew to deploy their fire shelters. Despite the efforts of the first responders, all 19 crewmembers perish.
Brendan suffers from survivors guilt and demands to meet with the devastated families of his crewmates. Three years later, he takes his daughter to a juniper tree that the Granite Mountain crew had saved, now adorned with their memorabilia and photos. The credits reveal that the film is dedicated to the lives lost at the Yarnell Hill Fire, the largest loss of firefighters since the September 11th attacks, and features photos of the actual Granite Mountain crewmembers.
Where can I watch Only the Brave?
If you are interested in watching Only the Brave, there are several ways to do so. One of the easiest ways is to check if the film is available on popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, or HBO Max.
As of April 2023, Only the Brave is available to stream on Netflix in certain countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. To watch the movie on Netflix, you will need a Netflix subscription and a compatible device, such as a smart TV, gaming console, or mobile device. Simply search for "Only the Brave" on the Netflix app, and you should be able to find and stream the movie.
If you don't have a Netflix subscription or the movie is not available in your country, you can also rent or purchase the film from popular digital retailers such as Amazon, Google Play, or Apple TV. Additionally, you may be able to find the movie on DVD or Blu-ray at your local video rental store or online retailer such as Amazon or Best Buy.
Whether you prefer to stream movies online or watch them on physical media, there are several ways to watch Only the Brave and experience the powerful story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots.
Is Only the Brave Based on a True Story - FAQs
Yes, Only the Brave is based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a group of elite firefighters who battled wildfires in Arizona and tragically lost 19 members in the Yarnell Hill Fire of 2013.
Only the Brave was directed by Joseph Kosinski, who is known for his work on science-fiction films such as Tron: Legacy and Oblivion.
Only the Brave stars Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Jeff Bridges, Jennifer Connelly, and Taylor Kitsch, among others.
Only the Brave was released in 2017, and received critical acclaim for its depiction of the Granite Mountain Hotshots and their bravery in the face of extreme danger.
Only the Brave has a runtime of 2 hours and 14 minutes.