Anthony Hopkins Movie:

				Salesrank:
		MPAA Rating: R (Restricted) Media: DVD

Editorial Review:
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 Hollywood 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

Legends of the Fall [Region 2] Reviews:
Solid entertainment that's very easy to enjoy...
2009-01-02 - `Legends of the Fall' is an easy movie to love. It stars one of the most charming men working in film today. It also stars a man regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation. It is beautifully shot and very well acted; filled to the brim with sentiment and grace and an ending so emotionally gut-wrenching you'll be unable to hold back the tears.

It's not perfect, but it's still very, very good.

The story tells of three brothers, Tristan, Alfred and Samuel as they grow up in the wilderness with their father during the 1900's. Their lives are affected by war, love and tradition and as the film progresses we see them build and the tear down relationships with others and with each other. Tristan is the wild one, the one most influenced by the ways of the Native American, especially One Stab, the faithful friend of the family. Alfred is the more mature brother, at least from a societal standpoint. He is heavily affected by his father's love and adoration of Tristan over all else, especially since he feels as though he has earned the spot of favorite. Samuel is the youngest and greenest of the three. The film takes little time to really get to know him since the focal point of the film is Tristan.

The film starts very strong, developing a nicely crafted character study of this family and the interwoven layers that make up their lives. The first half of the film will just suck you right in. The second half falters a bit as it ditches the depth it originally instituted and comes off more like a soap opera, with brothers bickering uselessly over the love of a woman. This was a disappointment for me because I expected something a little more poignant, especially when considering the films beautiful start. It's not a fault that will deter you though; my wife still loves this movie, and I still like it very much.

The films biggest selling point is the acting, which is for the most part perfect. Aidan Quinn is stellar as the jilted Alfred, wearing his frustrations on his sleeve without overwhelming us with clichéd emotions. Julia Ormond is divine as Susannah, the woman who tears the family apart. Her controlled and meaningful delivery makes her characters arc all the more devastating. Anthony Hopkins is also fantastic here and the boy's father William. He is one of those actors who cannot do everything, but what he can do he does flawlessly. This is a flawless performance (and that whole `I am happy' scene just gets me every time). Henry Thomas is a bit boring, but the film is not very interested with him.

Brad Pitt gives what may be his finest performance to date here, seriously. He totally gets Tristan and delivers a solid portrayal of a man's honest emotions; guilt, pain, love, remorse, betrayal, anger, responsibility. I was blown away with each passing frame as he built more and more on the man he initially created. It's such a tremendous performance; truly Oscar Worthy.

So, in the end I highly recommend this film. I give it a solid B, and I'd throw nominations the way of Pitt and Hopkins and maybe even Ormond and Zwick. There is a lot to love here, and the end result is nothing short of memorable and entertaining. It loosens the reigns towards the end, but it's a small grievance when you consider all that there is to enjoy.

Incredibly tragic story & beautiful cinematography
2008-12-22 - This is one of my favorite films, and the Superbit edition's enhanced picture and sound made this a real treat. Although very dramatic, the film paints a portrait of a family inadvertently torn apart by love, family tragedy and a lack of repentence. The entire cast is at its finest, and even Brad Pitt whom I don't consider one of the best actors, shines in this story and cast.

The dialogue and the unraveling of this story is often heart breaking and immensely sad, given a set of impossible circumstances. Everyone loses in this film, but it truly is one of the films where if you let yourself accept this, it is a revelation. A beautiful score compliments this film, and rouses emotion through. It's a fanstastic combination of atmosphere (emotional and visual), scenary, and tragedy at every level.

Brilliant Epic!
2008-12-14 - Love, betrayal, passion, loyalty, revenge, death, triumph....all in one well directed and exceptionally well cast movie. What more could you ask for?!

Read the novella, then watch the film
2008-11-29 - Usually, watching a film adaptation of a book or story is a letdown. But in the case of Legends Of The Fall I'd have to say it is advisable to read the story before watching the film as it is helpful in understanding the motivations of the characters, even though the film differs greatly from the novella.

The film didn't--couldn't--portray character motivation as the story by Jim Harrison does. Watching the film without the background of the novella will have you wondering why the hell Suzanne and Tristan react like they do. It's difficult to catch the guilt of Tristan who fails to "take care of Samuel" and the manic depression suffered by Suzanne. The film, on it's own, cannot convey the clash of tradition against the new of the industrial revolution and a changing West.

Read the wonderful novella by Jim Harrison, then watch the film.

As an aside, a couple of years ago I went to a book signing of Jim Harrison's and someone asked him about his impressions of the film Legends Of The Fall. His reply was that, apparently, there must have been a lot of nearby laundry facilities in turn of the century Montana; everyone had such clean clothes in the film.


what a waste of talent
2008-11-13 - It is hard to finish this film since it is so predictable, overly dramatic, and devoid of a sensible message. The four leading actors are good as their other films will bear witness to, however Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Aidan Quinn, and Julia Ormond can't escape from a idiotic plot and overly dramatic unrealistic script.

Repeatedly in the film we see people going away while those left behind huddle together with tears in their eyes while overly dramatic music tells the viewer that something emotional is happening, even if it is not. The number of these scene where someone goes away or comes back again reach the point where the viewer just doesn't care anymore and the music used for each of these extended good-bye scenes eventually becomes so repetitive that you can't bear to finish the film.

Pitt is indeed handsome and he gives the film a real acting effort. However, the film appears to be a vehicle to display Pitt in a range of activities and costumes, as a cowboy, a World War I soldier, a ship captain, a big game hunter, a whiskey bootlegger, a native man of multiple cultures, etc. We see Brad Pitt barely clothed or nude in love making scenes that seem highly orchestrated to titalate the viewer. How tiresome this all becomes.

Anthony Hopkins is a superb actor as his performance in Remains of the Day should attest. However, in this film he is a two dimensional cardboard version of a strict father who becomes a stroke victim with a shotgun. This is one of those films where we are told about people's feelings rather than experience it through their acting skills. We are told that Colonel Ludlow loved a women more than she loved him but we never really understand this odd relationship between Colonol and Elizabeth Ludlow.

Aiden Quinn tries his best, but his character lacks insights necessary to become more than a poorly articulated spurned man. Aiden Quinn has the third most lines in the whole film and yet lacks some sense of reality and coherence as a character.

Julia Ormond plays a young woman who must be totally crazy to put up with the Ludlow family which only brings her misery. At least ten times in the film, any common-sense would have compelled her to leave the wilderness home of the Ludlows and go get a real life.

The outdoor photography was excellent, of the quality of a good National Geographic nature film, but this alone does not save a film that is based on a screenplay that was pitiful. The film is 2 hours and 15 minutes long. It literally could have been cut in half and still would have seemed tedious.