Director Edward Zwick's epic romance, set against the backdrop of WWI and the wide sky and rugged terrain of Montana, stars Anthony Hopkins as William Ludlow, an idealistic retired colonel who disapproves of the war and the army's indecent treatment of Native Americans. Abandoned by his blue-blooded wife, Ludlow raises his three sons in the remote foothills of Montana with the help of Native American friends. Before the war, Samuel (Henry Thomas) brings home his fiancée from the East Coast, Susannah (Julia Ormond), a stunning beauty who can ride, rope, and hunt like the Ludlow boys. When the war breaks out, Samuel, the youngest and most idealistic son, enlists in the army. Brothers Alfred (Aidan Quinn) and Tristan (Brad Pitt) follow suit, more as protectors than as cohorts. Despite their best efforts, however, Samuel dies in battle. Upon returning home, Tristan becomes involved with Susannah, who is devastated by her loss but profoundly attracted to the brooding brother. However, tormented by his inability to save his little brother's life, Tristan abandons her and sets out on a long journey of self-discovery. During his absence, Alfred reveals his own passion for Susannah. Although she does not reciprocate his feelings, Susannah--who has despaired of ever seeing Tristan again--agrees to become his wife. Ultimately, Tristan does return, setting off a dangerous conflict between the brothers.
Three sons of a retired U.S. cavalry colonel, raised in the remote foothills of the Rockies, are turned against each other when a beautiful woman enters their lives, while modernization and World War I loom in the background.
Filmed in Canada and Jamaica.
The film is based on the novel by Jim Harrison.
Although Brad Pitt was already well-known for THELMA & LOUISE, A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT, and KALIFORNIA, his roles in INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE and LEGENDS OF THE FALL during 1994 made him into a full-fledged star and sex symbol.
Pitt and Anthony Hopkins also appear together in MEET JOE BLACK.
DVD Features:
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Surround Sound - French, Spanish, Portuguese
DSS - English
Subtitles - English - Closed Captioning
Subtitles - English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, Thai - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Deleted Scenes with Director's Commentary - (3)
Isolated Music Score with Highlights
Trailers: Theatrical Trailer
Audio Commentary:
1. Edward Zwick - Director, Brad Pitt - Star
2. John Toll - Cinematographer, Lilly Kilvert - Production Designer
Behind the Scenes:
1. Production Design
2. Original Making-of
Interactive Features:
Scene Selection
Interactive Menus
Text/Photo Galleries:
Essay: Production Notes
Filmographies: Talent Files
Director of Photography
John Toll:
Production Designer
John Eckert: Producer, GETTING GOTTI (1994)
Costume Designer
Deborah Lynn Scott: Costume Designer, TITANIC (1997)
Review 1:
"...Pitt is perfectly casts in a traditional heartthrob way....Zwick orchestrates everything with welcome gusto..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.F1 12/23/1994
Review 2:
"...The movie is a showcase for acting, and in addition to Ormond and Hopkins, it also shows how strong Aidan Quinn and Brad Pitt are..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.33 01/13/1995
Review 3:
"...Stunning cinematography and a star-making turn from [Ormond]..."
Source: Premiere
p.116 06/01/1995
Review 4:
"...Pitt's diffident mix of acting and attitude works to such heartthrob perfection....Gripping material and good actors..."
Source: New York Times
p.C10 12/23/1994
Review 5:
"...Gorgeous....[Pitt] proves himself a bona fide movie star, stealing every scene he's in..."
Source: Rolling Stone
p.65-6 01/26/1995
Review 6:
"....[Featuring] an epic performance from Brad Pitt..."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.48-9 05/01/1995