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Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, and Aidan Quinn star in this sprawling, family melodrama set in early twentieth century Montana, where the Ludlow family works their ranch in the untamed wilderness. Hopkins plays the patriarch, a pacifist and single father who is dismayed when his sons express desire to enlist in the first World War. Pitt and Quinn play the elder brothers, and Henry Thomas (E.T.) plays the youngest sibling. After Thomas dies in the war, the family barely recovers before Pitt and Quinn compete for the affection of a woman (Julia Ormond). She’s drawn to Quinn’s more civilized and responsible nature, but she can’t resist the appeal of Pitt’s more wild, primitive lifestyle. The outcome of this romantic triangle haunts the family for a generation, coming to a head when Quinn’s government connections threaten Pitt’s freedom — and even his life.
Legends of the Fall is grand melodrama: characters are born, characters die, characters betray each other and seek vengeance. They even fight wild bears. Director Edward Zwick (Glory, Courage Under Fire) walks a tightrope, balancing the wartime action with the family drama, somehow managing to ground a film that could easily fly off the rails with its heightened, emotional dramatic twists and turns. The cast help tremendously in that grounding. They make the characters instantly appealing and interesting. No one is all good or all bad — these characters live in shades of gray that bring a level of sophistication to the screenplay.
Then there’s composer James Horner. My God, what a score he delivers here. Horner brings energy to the action, heartbreak to the romance, nobility to the characters, and grandeur to the environment. It’s quintessential Horner music that adds a layer of rich emotion all on its own. Horner is more famous for his work in Titanic and Braveheart, but Legends of the Fall is his true masterpiece.
With Tantoo Cardinal (Dances with Wolves), Gordon Tootoosis, and Christina Pickles (Masters of the Universe).
Academy Award: Best Cinematography (John Toll)
Oscar Nominations: Best Art Direction, Best Sound