Aidan Quinn, Anthony Hopkins, Brad Pitt

A box-office hit when released in 1994, this sprawling, frequently overwrought familial melodrama may get sillier as its plot progresses, but it's the kind of lusty, character-based epic that Hollywoo...( read more  read more... )d should attempt more often. It's also an unabashedly flattering star vehicle for Brad Pitt as Tristan--the rebellious middle son of a fiercely independent Montana rancher and military veteran (Anthony Hopkins)--who is routinely at odds with his more responsible older brother, Alfred (Aidan Quinn), and younger brother, Samuel (Henry Thomas). From the battlefields of World War I to his adventures as an oceangoing sailor, Tristan's life is full of personal torment, especially when he returns to Montana and finds himself competing with Alfred over Samuel's beautiful widow (Julia Ormond), whose passion for Tristan disrupts the already turbulent Ludlow clan. Under the wide-open canopy of Big Sky country, this operatic tale unfolds with all the bloodlust, tragedy, and scenery-chewing performances you'd expect to find in a hokey bestselling novel (in fact, it's based on the acclaimed novella by Jim Harrison), but it's a potent mix that's highly entertaining. Not surprisingly, John Toll won an Academy Award for his breathtaking outdoor cinematography. --Jeff Shannon

Flixster Users

87% liked it

162,126 ratings

Critics

63% liked it

40 critics

R, 133 min.

Directed by: Edward Zwick

Release Date: December 23, 1994

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DVD Release Date: April 29, 1997

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Stats: 8,017 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (8,017)


  • September 25, 2009
    One of my more favourite Edward Zwick films, I?m not a big fan of his but this film is quite pleasant with some good performances.
  • October 20, 2008
    Excellent movie with great cast and plot. Three brothers grow up on a farm and they all fall for the same woman. Over the years she works her way through them. At one point I wondered if she would go for the dad too! The scenery and inter-relationships are very interesting.
  • September 15, 2008
    a melodramatic period drama where most of the actors spend their time admiring themselves in the reflection of the camera lense. aside from all that bollocks there's still some pretty good acting forced into the OTT script as some of the protagonists really do make an effort. imp...( read more)ressed with pitt and quinn. despite anything bad i just said about it, the film's pretty entertaining. just don't expect realism
  • September 12, 2008
    My new favorite movie! I watched it for the first time a few weeks ago.

    A very touching and beautiful story about a family, brothers, and their journey.
  • July 1, 2008
    My mom and I used to watch it all the time when we got it on our stolen cable.
  • November 18, 2009
    one of the worst movies, I ever saw
  • November 5, 2009
    Buen drama... largo, aburrido.. pero buen drama... jajajajaja
  • November 2, 2009
    Great movie on a hang over day.
  • October 24, 2009
    Reasons to see the movie: - Great acting. Anthony Hopkins makes a classic role as the US army officer gone anarchist father. Brad Pitt is perfect in the role as the wild one with an indian "stepfather". Aidan Quinn makes another great performance, and Julia Ormond is very good as...( read more) the (tragic) woman they all long for. - The scenery. Magic. - The camera work. - The story. - A number of very, very good scenes. - The anarchistic attitude. - The character Tristan Ludlow. - The character William Ludlow. - The emotional ride.

    Reasons to NOT see the movie: - You will be called a pathetic romantic if you like it. And you will most probably like it...
  • October 19, 2009
    Brad Pitt best movie.. so emotional....

Critic Reviews


May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Though the admirable Quinn has the toughest role, Pitt carries the picture. The blue-eyed boy who seemed a bit lost in Interview With the Vampire proves himself a bona fide movie star, stealing every ... full review

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

This is the kind of big, robust Western love story that just begs to be filmed -- which, come to think of it, it has been. full review

View more Legends of the Fall reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • go2mero
    April 19, 2009
    Legends of the fall...yes,an amazing story taken from real life,played by amazing actors.Is not just a movie,it capture your heart,breath and full atention.Have much to tell us,about feelings and point of views,about love and hate,about war and peace of heart and mind....i sugest everyone to watch it,if it needs, more times,im sure u will undestand more than as a simple movie.
  • bradnow
    August 3, 2008
    its the legend of movies i loved it so much
  • anniemoviegirl217
    March 11, 2008
    What's not to love about this movie it's one of my all time favorites actually it's on my top 5
  • rissacons
    November 22, 2007
    The Best!!!!All-time Favorite!!!
  • optimusbt
    May 12, 2007
    the best movie ever!
  • hatelesslovemore
    May 9, 2007
    i love this movie
  • hotbeetroot
    January 31, 2007
    This movie is an all time fav of mine, not just because brad pitt is in it, but there is some really good actors too. I love the relationships between anthony hopkins (who is from my home town- Wales) & all of the sons, esp when the girl comes into it,The scenery is spectacular also.the music score complements the movie very well.enjoy it!!

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Legends of the Fall Trivia


  • Name the movie that starred Anthony Hopkins, Julia Ormond, Aidan Quinn, and Brad Pitt.  Answer »
  • in what movie does Brad Pitt have the strugle through his family and love life, losing his brother at war and not being with the one woman he really loves.  Answer »
  • Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt star together in "Meet Joe Black". Name the 1994 movie they starred in together as father and son.  Answer »
  • John Williams did NOT compose the score for this movie...  Answer »

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