A River Runs Through It (1992)

Two fly-fishing sons of a Presbyterian minister--one reserved, one rebellious--grow up in rural Montana.

Director:

Robert Redford

Writers:

Norman Maclean (story), Richard Friedenberg (screenplay)

Stars:

Craig Sheffer, Brad Pitt, Tom Skerritt

Won 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Craig Sheffer	...	Norman Maclean
Brad Pitt	...	Paul Maclean
Tom Skerritt	...	Rev. Maclean
Brenda Blethyn	...	Mrs. Maclean
Emily Lloyd	...	Jessie Burns
Edie McClurg	...	Mrs. Burns
Stephen Shellen	...	Neal Burns
Vann Gravage	...	Young Paul
Nicole Burdette	...	Mabel
Susan Traylor	...	Rawhide
Michael Cudlitz	...	Chub
Rob Cox	...	Conroy
Buck Simmonds	...	Humph
Fred Oakland	...	Mr. Burns
David Creamer	...	Ken Burns

Storyline

A true story about two boys, Norman and Paul, growing up in Montana. One is rebellious of his father, Rev. Maclean, while the other has his feet on the ground. The one love they both have is fly fishing.

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Plot Keywords:

fly fishing | fishing | voice over narration | bare butt | religion | 

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Taglines:

The Story of an American Family.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for momentary nudity, and some language in a family drama

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 October 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Nada es para siempre

Filming Locations:

Bozeman, Montana, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$43,440,294 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Allied Filmmakers

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Even though the film claims that it is filmed in Missoula, it is actually filmed in and around Livingston, Bozeman and Big Timber, Montana. Many of the fishing scenes were filmed in the Gallatin Canyon on the Gallatin River south of Bozeman.

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Goofs

In the final fishing scene, the water level on Paul changes a few times between shots.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Norman: [narrating] Long ago, when I was a young man, my father said to me, "Norman, you like to write stories." And I said "Yes, I do." Then he said, "Someday, when you're ready you might tell our family story. Only then will you understand what happened and why."

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Crazy Credits

The scenes on the Blackfoot River were actually shot on the Madison and other rivers around the Bozeman and Livingston areas. The "Big Blackfoot" has already become too polluted and populated to provide the image the scene required.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theatre 3000: The Painted Hills (1993)

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Soundtracks

"Bye Bye Blackbird"
Performed by Prudence Johnson
Written by Mort Dixon and Roy Henderson
Warner Bros., Inc. / Olde Clover Leaf Music Co., Roy Henderson Music Co. / Bienstock Publishing Co.,
on behalf of Redwood Music Ltd.

User Reviews

A marvelous film!

Upon seeing this film once again it appeared infinitely superior to me this time than the previous times I have viewed it. The acting is stunningly wonderful. The characters are very clearly drawn. Brad Pitt is simply superb as the errant son who rebels. The other actors and actresses are equally fine in every respect. Robert Redford creates a wonderful period piece from the days of speakeasies of the 1920s. The scenery is incredibly beautiful of the mountains and streams of western Montana. All in all, this is one of the finest films made in the 1990s.

You must see this movie!