Legends of the Fall (1994)

In the early 1900s, three brothers and their father living in the remote wilderness of Montana are affected by betrayal, history, love, nature, and war.

Director:

Edward Zwick

Writers:

Susan Shilliday (screenplay), William D. Wittliff (screenplay) (as Bill Wittliff)

Stars:

Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Aidan Quinn

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brad Pitt	...	Tristan Ludlow
Anthony Hopkins	...	Col. William Ludlow
Aidan Quinn	...	Alfred Ludlow
Julia Ormond	...	Susannah Fincannon
Henry Thomas	...	Samuel Ludlow
Karina Lombard	...	Isabel Two
Tantoo Cardinal	...	Pet
Gordon Tootoosis	...	One Stab
Paul Desmond	...	Decker
Christina Pickles	...	Isabel Ludlow
Robert Wisden	...	John T. O'Banion
John Novak	...	James O'Banion (as John Novack)
Kenneth Welsh	...	Sheriff Tynert
Bill Dow	...	Longley
Sam Sarkar	...	Rodriguez

Storyline

In early 20th-century Montana, Col. William Ludlow lives in the wilderness with his sons, Tristan, Alfred and Samuel. Eventually, the unconventional but close-knit family encounters tragedy when Samuel is killed in World War I. Tristan and Alfred survive their tours of duty, but, soon after they return home, both men fall for Samuel's gorgeous fiancée, Susannah, and their intense rivalry begins to destroy the family.

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Plot Keywords:

f word | no opening credits | violence | sex scene | sexual positions | 

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Taglines:

He was a rock they broke themselves against however much he tried to protect them

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War | Western

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, and for some sexuality and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Cornish

Release Date:

13 January 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Leyendas de pasión

Filming Locations:

43 Powell Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$101,670, 23 December 1994, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$66,638,883

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$160,638,883

Company Credits

Production Co:

TriStar Pictures, The Bedford Falls Company, Pangaea

Technical Specs

Runtime:

133 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS (8 channels) Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title refers to the biblical fall from innocence. In Sweden, however, the title was translated as "Höstlegender" meaning "Legends of the Autumn", the season. Similarly, in South Korea, the title was "Gaeul-ui jeonseol" interpreting "the fall" as the autumn season. The same in France, where it was named "Légendes d'automne" also in Romania, named "Legendele toamnei".

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Goofs

The thick greenish-yellow clouds of mustard gas disappear behind Samuel when the German soldiers arrive and set up their machine gun.

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Quotes

Tristan: Because you love her, I will forgive that, ONCE! Say that again, and you are no longer my brother.

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Alternate Versions

Television broadcasts exclude some graphic violence and blood, profanity, and nudity.

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Connections

Referenced in The Nanny: Lamb Chop's on the Menu (1995)

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Soundtracks

The Letters
Written by James Horner

User Reviews

Complex storyline has poorly motivated characters...

Not having read the novella upon which this is based, I don't quite understand the quirky reasons for the characters to behave as they do in 'Legends of the Fall'--nor do I understand just what the title is supposed to imply. It's all a bit grandiose with some of the most breathtaking color photography of a western landscape ever seen in an American movie--richly deserving of an Oscar for its photography. But the story is another matter--a sprawling, epic kind of familial tale of the struggle for a father's affection, the love of two brothers for the same woman, etc., with all of the characters swept up in tumultuous emotional states without preparing the viewer for the reasons.

The overall effect is disappointing when, after spending a couple of hours with these characters, you have no better understanding of their nature or what makes them tick. And yet, despite poor motivation, all of the actors do outstanding jobs--from Brad Pitt to Henry Thomas to Aidan Quinn to Anthony Hopkins--hats off for some fine acting. But at the core of the movie is a hollow factor that fails to touch base or explain the events. The jumps in continuity are a bit baffling.

On the plus side, the war scenes are especially realistic--and it's nice to see Henry Thomas (the boy from E.T.) developing into a fine actor. The outdoor photography is awesome and the score by James Horner is an impressive one. Too bad the script was such a letdown.

Summing up: a picture that can be enjoyed on its own terms--beautiful to look at but hollow inside.