Only the Brave

Only the Brave is a 2017 American biographical drama film directed by Joseph Kosinski, and written by Ken Nolan and Eric Warren Singer, based on the GQ article "No Exit" by Sean Flynn. The film tells the story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, an elite crew of firefighters from Prescott, Arizona who lost 19 of 20 members while fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire in June 2013, and is dedicated to their memory. It features an ensemble cast, including 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 began in New Mexico in June 2016. Only the Brave was released by Columbia Pictures in North America and by Summit Entertainment in other territories on October 20, 2017. The film was a box-office bomb, grossing just $26.3 million worldwide against a $38 million budget. However, it received positive reviews, with praise for the cast and the film's touching tribute to its subjects. The film is dedicated to the Granite Mountain Hotshots and their families. Plot Fire and Rescue Crew 7 of Prescott, Arizona, superintended by Eric Marsh, responds to a wildfire. Arriving on scene, Eric predicts that the fire will threaten a local neighborhood, but is stood down by the assigned hotshot superintendent. Eric's prediction comes true, leading to him venting his frustration to fire chief and close friend Duane Steinbrink that when the next wildfire threatens Prescott, his crew will not be allowed to fight it directly, as they lack hotshot certification. Eric asks for his help in obtaining his crew's evaluation which comes from Prescott Mayor Worthington who gives Eric until the end of the fire season to get and pass his evaluation.