Legends of the Fall

Play trailer

2:11

Legends of the Fall

R

1994

2h 14m

Drama

Romance

Western

War

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

61%

Tomatometer

62 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

In early 20th-century Montana, Col. William Ludlow (Anthony Hopkins) lives in the wilderness with his sons, Tristan (Brad Pitt), Alfred (Aidan Quinn) and Samuel (Henry Thomas). 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 (Julia Ormond), and their intense rivalry begins to destroy the family.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Featuring a swoon-worthy star turn by Brad Pitt, Legends of the Fall's painterly photography and epic sweep often compensate for its lack of narrative momentum and glut of melodramatic twists.

Read Critics Reviews

Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

01/04/2024

It may take place in a man’s world, but this is a women’s picture, in the vein of the overwrought family epics of the 1950s.

Go to Full Review

Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

01/23/2019

In general, director Edward Zwick does a commendable job of keeping things apace, while... John Toll's scrumptiously pristine cinematography and James Horner's piercingly full score.

Go to Full Review

Terrence Rafferty

The New Yorker

04/02/2014

At first, the picture plays like East of Eden with a bonus brother; it gets sillier as it goes.

Go to Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Jul 19

3/4

...an old-school epic that does, for the most part, remain perfectly watchable for the duration of its (overlong) running time...

Go to Full Review

Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

01/16/2025

3.5/5

While some segments of the film seem to comically lurch from one tragedy to the next, a cosmically melancholy underpinning lingers — that time’s cruel sweep is how mankind tends to minimize moments between our sadness and undervalue the peace we find.

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

01/05/2025

3/4

Thelma & Louise and A River Runs Through It may have gotten the wheels turning on the Brad Pitt Heartthrob Express, but it was this handsomely mounted epic that turned the actor into a pinup fave and, more significantly, a genuine star.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Virginia B

Nov 7

Absolutely loved this movie. An All-Star cast and with Brad Pitt looking absolutely gorgeous, with his long hair and all the close-up shots is a must see. The gorgeous shots and panoramas as well as a heartfelt story you will laugh, and you will cry. I highly recommend it.

See more

Jerod S

@jeroduptown Jun 13

Pitt is the ultimate bad boy everyone loves in this one. Along with his dad, the Colonel (Hopkins) - Pitt and his brothers go through WWI and the west together - fighting over the girl.

See more

Jeff H.

@RT22857732 Mar 28

An epic movie! I enjoy it eveytime I watch it (5 times)...I watch it every 4-5 years.

See more

VaughntheExpert ..

@Vaughnexpertise Feb 5

What a movie its a bit long but worth every minute of the watch! Trials of Love, Family, Loyalty bit of a tear jerker with a Star Studded cast The acting was Phenomenal Definitely a Must See.

See more

naughty e

@naughtyelf Jan 22

100% the worst movie I have watched in the last decade (im 10.) Do not watch this movie unless you are gay, disabled, constipated, and all around stupid. I will admit however there was potential at the start, but it was all lost to the cringe, bad plot, and death toll. The least the director couldve given us, was a good ending. Brad Pitt has done much finer work, do not watch it for him, no matter how handsome you may think him. SHIT, SHIT, and more SHIT. I would give this movie no stars however that is not possible so I give it a 1/2.

See more

Laura H

@RT47170333 Dec 18

A western for the girls it could be said. Lots of melodrama and tears. On the other hand, its a story of a mentally unstable avoidant hero who all the girls fall for anyway. It must be written by a man! Leave your cynicism at the door and enjoy the beautiful landscapes and cinematography!

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Edward Zwick

Director

Brad Pitt

Tristan Ludlow

Anthony Hopkins

Col. William Ludlow

Aidan Quinn

Alfred Ludlow

Julia Ormond

Susannah Fincannon Ludlow

Henry Thomas

Samuel Ludlow

Legends of the Fall: Official Clip - Alfred is Reconciled

2:12

Legends of the Fall: Official Clip - Isabel Dies

2:13

Legends of the Fall: Official Clip - Four Beers

1:59

Legends of the Fall: Official Clip - Tristan Returns

2:13

Legends of the Fall: Official Clip - Gravesite Visit

2:12

Legends of the Fall: Official Clip - Meeting the Bride

2:12

Legends of the Fall: Official Clip - Samuel Dies

2:08

Legends of the Fall: Official Clip - Susannah at the Ranch

2:12

View more videos

Mary Reilly

26%

40%

Mary Reilly

Watchlist

Bodies, Rest & Motion

61%

50%

Bodies, Rest & Motion

Watchlist

The Waterdance

94%

63%

The Waterdance

Watchlist

Bastard Out of Carolina

100%

84%

Bastard Out of Carolina

Watchlist

Equinox

33%

42%

Equinox

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Legends of the Fall: Trailer 1

2:11

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

In early 20th-century Montana, Col. William Ludlow (Anthony Hopkins) lives in the wilderness with his sons, Tristan (Brad Pitt), Alfred (Aidan Quinn) and Samuel (Henry Thomas). 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 (Julia Ormond), and their intense rivalry begins to destroy the family.

Director: Edward Zwick
Producer: William D. Wittliff, Marshall Herskovitz
Screenwriter: Jim Harrison, Susan Shilliday
Distributor: Columbia Tristar, TriStar Pictures
Production Co: TriStar Pictures, Bedford Falls Productions
Rating: R (Some Sexuality|Language|Violence)
Genre: Drama, Romance, Western, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 16, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $63.2M
Runtime: 2h 14m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround, Stereo

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings