Customer Reviews

Legends of the Fall (Widescreen Edition) [VHS]

5 star:		(125)
4 star:		(40)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

This review refers to the Special Edition DVD(TriStar/Columbia)
Right from the start of this film, Director Edward Zwick and Cinematographer John Toll, take us on a magnificent journey through some of the most breathtaking vistas,shot mostly on the Stoney Indian Reserve near Calgary.Viewed throughout with James Horner's score is a beautiful experience right in your own living room.
Three brother's, their love for each other,their father, and for one woman is the main focus of the story. Tristan is the middle son, his father's favorite, he is as wild as the Montana country where they live in the early 1900's. It is he who we follow on a journey of darkness, enlightenment and finally self-discovery.It is an epic story,that follows the lives of the Ludlow family for many years, through WWI,passion, secrets,tragedies, and bonds.
The tale is narrated by Gordon Tootoosis, a Chief of the Cree nation, who was mentor to Tristan and taught him well the ways of becoming one with nature.
Starring in this Cinematic treat are Brad Pitt(Tristan), Aidan Quinn,Henry Thomas, Sir Anthony Hopkins(Col. Ludlow), and as the woman they all love Julia Ormand(Suzanne).All turning in superb performances.
The DVD is as much of a treat as the film itself. The film won an Academy Award for Best Cinematoghraphy in 1994 and it really shows on this edition. Colors are perfect,picture immaculate, and the sound(in 5.1 Dolby Digital)completes the total home theatre package.
It is in widescreen. There's a ton of special features, including the making of featurette, some great commentary by Zwick and Pitt, and more. The movie can be played in several languages or with subtitles.
If you've never seen it,this film has something for everyone, war, romance,western adventure,action,drama It will sweep you off your feet, and you will want to watch it again. If youve already seen it you will not be dissapointed with the transfer to this DVD

Hopkins and Pitt also team up again in:Meet Joe Blacksee my review for film details
Enjoy.....Laurie

According to the ancient lore of Native Americans, there is a story within each of us; the story of a life often guided by some inner voice, which some hear with great clearness. Some live by what they hear-- and such people become crazy. They become legend. And so it was destined to be for a young man named Tristan Ludlow, who was born toward the end of the Nineteenth Century and grew up in the wide open spaces of Montana, where his father, Colonel William Ludlow, had taken his family to escape the imperfections of a society ruled by a government he could no longer respect. "Legends of the Fall," directed by Edward Zwick, is the story of Tristan (Brad Pitt) and his brothers, Alfred (Aidan Quinn) and Samuel (Henry Thomas); a tragic story of the life they shared and the wounds they suffered, many of which were never to heal. And it's their father's story, as well, for it was he who raised his boys with only the help of his loyal friend, One Stab (Gordon Tootoosis), after his wife, Isabel (Christina Pickles), unable to withstand the harsh Montana winters, had left her family for the more civilized East Coast, never to return.

Colonel Ludlow (Anthony Hopkins) had served his country during the Indian Wars, after which, disheartened by the government's treatment of those they had suppressed, the proud people of the Indian Nations, he turned his back on the "civilized" ways of his own people and carved out a niche for himself and his family in Montana. And it was there, on their ranch, that the boys learned the ways of the West and the ways of the Indian, under the tutelage of their father and One Stab. But of the three, only Tristan eventually heard that inner voice with such clarity that he could neither deny nor ignore it, and it awakened a passion within him that he embraced, and which set him upon the path he was seemingly destined to follow; a path that would ultimately affect the lives of everyone he had ever loved.

By 1914, Europe was at war, and the very tenets of truth and justice that had driven Colonel Ludlow away from society now compelled his sons to take a stand according to their own beliefs. Despite his recent engagement, Samuel decides to go to Canada and enlist in the army in order to fight for England. Alfred and Tristan refuse to let him go alone, and enlist with him. And in the desolate, muddy trenches of France, they soon learn the harsh truth and the reality of war-- just as their father had before them-- and by the time the war has ended for them, their lives have changed forever; Tristan's most especially. Back home, Tristan tries to settle down to life on the ranch, but the restlessness of his soul speaks to him of things he must do and places he must go, and the voices are too strong to resist. So despite the ties that bind him to the home and the people he loves, he sets out on a journey of self-discovery that eventually takes him, physically and emotionally, into places he never knew existed-- and away from the woman who loves him the most.

Director Edward Zwick delivers a sweeping saga of life and love with this film that is every bit as big and grand as the country in which it is set. He presents his story through the recollections of One Stab, the one who saw it all unfold, first hand. And it gives the film a narrative quality that is storytelling at it's best. Zwick had a vision of how to bring this tale to the screen, and he realized it magnificently, aided by John Toll's breathtakingly beautiful cinematography (for which he received an Oscar), Lilly Kilvert's superb set designs and James Horner's compelling, dramatic score. And most importantly, through the tremendous performances of Hopkins, Pitt, Quinn, Thomas and the lovely Julia Ormond.

Hopkins anchors the film with a brilliantly understated performance, creating a three-dimensional character who personifies the very iconoclastic ideals and principles he espouses. And Pitt gives one of the best performances of his career as Tristan; watching him, you feel that restlessness and conflict raging within his soul, and you can sense his passion as he seeks his direction in life. Quinn is also extremely effective as Alfred, the older brother, delivering an emotional and convincing performance, as does Julia Ormond, as Susannah, a young woman conflicted inside as she tries to sort out her feelings for the Ludlow brothers. Zwick knew exactly what he needed from his actors to tell the story he wanted to tell, and he managed to get it all, from the principals to the least of the supporting players; and it's all there on the screen-- the passion, the intensity, the love and the care. It's quite simply a beautiful piece of filmmaking by all concerned.

The supporting cast includes Karina Lombard (Isabel Two), Paul Desmond (Decker), Tantoo Cardinal (Pet) and Robert Wisden (John T. O'Banion). A visually stunning film that will touch you emotionally and stay with you long after the screen has gone dark, "Legends of the Fall," perpetuates the tradition of classics like "The Big Country" and "Giant." Engaging and memorable, it's a transporting experience, courtesy of the magic of the movies.

Family saga is usually the domain of female audiences but while there is no denying that "Legends of the Fall" is a family saga, it has the power to keep any demographic, over the age of ten, spellbound. Love and jealousy are still the central themes and yet the characters are so large that I doubt many people would not envy them, in some way at least.

The Ludlows are almost mythical Americans. They live a tough but free existence in the North Country. Ruled by Colonel William Ludlow, (Anthony Hopkins), a Father carved from granite, the family's three sons grow up to be almost as tough. And for a man who spent his last professional years fighting for the rights of the native American's, a son who has absorbed native culture, along with the best of western values, has to hold a special place in his heart.

Tristan Ludlow, (Brad Pitt), is the focus of our attention from the start. His wild and fearless spirit is guided by One Stab, the colonel's loyal Indian companion. It is One Stab that narrates Tristan's story and from him we learn that Tristan's destiny is entwined with his animal spirit, the Grizzly Bear. As a boy he dares an enormous sleeping grizzly and they take some of each other's blood. Interpreting his later choices through the moods of the bear is a fascinating idea.

The pace of events pick up the moment the youngest son, Samuel, brings home his bride to be. The beautiful Susannah, (Julia Ormond), manages to steal the hearts of all three brothers and the father as well, although he has the wisdom to act correctly. Samuel arrives with more concern for the growing war in Europe than for his new love. His desire to play his part in the fight is opposed by the Colonel, jaded by the Government's past immoral acts. But nothing can stop a young man with a cause. Despite his brother's protection he manages to fulfill his destiny, opening the door to further possibilities for his brothers, with Susannah.

She manages to set the brothers against each other and forces the eldest, Alfred, (Aidan Quinn), on a new path entirely; one that takes him to the U.S. congress, supported by less than honorable men. All of this makes for a heady brew, plenty of drama, powerful performances and broken hearts. For my money, the film wouldn't have been the same without Isabel Two, played by both Karina Lombard and Sekwan Auger. She waits patiently for her chance with Tristan to come. She and One Stab, form the calm center to the hurricane that is the Ludlow family. And like a hurricane, one you've been touched, you'll never forget "Legends of the Fall".

"Legends of the Fall" is an epic set in the early 1900s about a close-knit family that randomly comes together and breaks apart. Tristan (Brad Pitt), Alfred (Aidan Quinn), and Samuel (Henry Thomas) have always been real close. One thing that all three brothers have in common is that they all go into war together and see how tough it is to experience such a struggle, even though their father, Colonel William Ludlow (Anthony Hopkins) doesn't like the idea. Another thing they have in common is that they all love Susannah (Julia Ormond).

All of the characters in "Legends of the Fall" have their own separate personalities that can clash or come together at the drop of a hat. I could explain each of them, but that would give the movie away. Throughout the film, the different characters provide commentary about different events such as reading letters that are written, or telling personal thoughts.

"Legends of the Fall" won the 1994 Oscar for best cinematography in a motion picture, and it's true, this film does have spectacular scenery and landscapes, but that's the least that "Legends of the Fall" has to offer.

There are both good times and bad times in "Legends of the Fall." Overall, it's a fairly depressing movie, but that's just because it's a realistic film about how jealousy and bad times such as war ruled the world back in the early 1900's, and probably even more these days.

As I mentioned earlier, all of the main cast put out their absolute best effort in "Legends of the Fall." As always, I was the utmost impressed by Anthony Hopkins's performance. Brad Pitt, who was the main star in this film, puts out what is his best effort ever, in my opinion.

I can tell when a movie is one of my favorites of all time by how much I want to see it after I see it for the first time, and especially by how often I watch it after seeing it several times. "Legends of the Fall" is one of those movies that never has and never will get old to me.

No matter what kind of movie you like, even if you're not crazy about epics or dramas, give "Legends of the Fall" a chance. It just might become one of your favorite motion picture legends.

This film is Brad Pitt's best movie and role ever. The shear magnificence of the sceneries, the ultimately fatalistic beauty of all the characters, and the emotional bond you develop for each of them makes for a totally enjoyable movie experience. Brad Pitt, Julia Ormond, Aidan Quinn, Anthony Hopkins, and Henry thomas are the epitome of the tragic family which renders heartbreak into an artform. You truly feel the pain of a disintegrating family that never quite loses it all. You cheer for them at the end, after having obtain their redemption. Julia Ormond is classically gorgeous, and Brad Pitt plays the role of the noble tragic hero to flawlessness. Henry Thomas, although a short presence on film, still plays a character which still haunts the other characters and the audience long after his death. You can't help but to feel for and cheer for Aidan Quinn's character. He epitomizes the "nice guy finishes last" philosophy, and his heartache is palpable. Anthony Hopkins is the noblest of father figures, although his Scrooge transformation after his stroke almost made him laughable. I like the way the film touches on so many other themes, such as discrimination against American Indians, prohibition, the inherent evil of government, love and war are often the same, and the timeless theme of how life is filled with tragedy and heartbreak. Tristan's character epitomizes these themes, and he is indeed the rock that everyone shatters against. Everyone around him dies young, while he gets older. His is the kind of character that remains in your mind long after the credits end, and you're left always wondering whatever happened to him. Gorgeous filmmaking indeed.

My wife and I watched this new Blu-ray release last night and we both agreed that it looked and sounded great. It seems that whatever short-comings this title may have lay with the film master. One trivia point is that the filming location suffered through a rainy season when normally it's not. This tended to produce many mostly cloudy scenes which added a drab look to much of the movie along with the intended brown and gray palette, although there are several scenes where the cinematography is spectacular justifies the Oscar win for John Tull. Some scenes especially close-ups looked very detailed while others appeared softer. I've owned this title on laserdisc and DVD but without a doubt the picture and sound (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1) on this version is the best. I won't bother with the storyline, if you're reading this you're probably a fan already. Recommended buy.

I can't really fully explain the appeal of this film. It is beautifully filmed, and the score is equally as beautiful. The story is an epic, and epics are always inherently powerful, as time is everyone's enemy eventually. It is the story of three brothers who love each other. All are good men, as is their father, and as are the native americans who are given prominent and important roles. Circumstances, not their failures, draw the brothers apart. That is the tragedy in the film. Anthony Hopkins plays the role of the father, and hits the part perfectly. He is a man haunted by the horrors he has seen as a leader of men in warfare, and it is his failure to protect his sons from these horrors that sets the stage for the rest of the film. Brad Pitt is great as Tristan, his father's favorite, a man whose unbridled enthusiasm for life does not come at the expense of his integrity. Ultimately, his integrity is what both creates the tragedy and the very satisfying resolution for the story. We end up liking and caring for all of the main characters in the film, and that makes for a very fine movie experience.

Legends of the Fall can be summed up in four words: Brad Pitt's flowing hair. Every time the violins play and the camera goes hazy we see Brads hair and you know that there will either be a love scene or a killing.

The story is melodramatic and so many ridiculous things happen that it's hard not to laugh. When young Samuel brings his fiancee home from the East it starts a chain of trouble that goes on for the rest of the movie.

Susanah, played by the always dreary Julia Ormond, takes one look at Brad's hair and is smitten. He also falls for her and so does Alfred, the oldest brother. Why these men all fall in love with a character who is weepy and doesn't seem to do much but be decorative isn't explained but there it is. Susanah marries Samuel who promptly gets himself killed in WWI in a scene that is so predictable that it's almost funny. Brad's character unties his hair, paints his face and flips out killing a passel of Germans in the process.

Time passes. We hear the lush soundtrack, watch the pretty scenery and Brad comes home to his dad, his land and his brother's widow. This time both Brad and Julia's hair blows in the wind and they jump into bed. Alfred, the sensible brother takes the hint and goes to town to get rich on his own.

So, we're about to get the happy ending right? Nope. Brad stares into space a lot and mourns his brother and has to GO FIND HIMSELF. He takes several years (but doesn't age a bit)to do it and while he's gone Susanah who apparently wants to be a part of this family no matter what, marries poor Alfred even though she doesn't love him.

We see scenery, hear the pretty music and jumping jiminy there's ole Brad again. His hair flows in the wind and now he looks happy. He's home to stay and will take care of his old dad, his land, his friends, and discovers that the cute little daughter of the housekeeper, Isabelle has grown up. He marries and gets himself a family. Happy ending now? Nope. Take a deep breath because we still have what feels like hours to go.

His good, uncomplicated wife is killed by crooked cops (I'm not even going to get into that part of the plot) and Brad does the same thing he did when Samuel snuffed it. He paints the face, lets the hair go wild, gets a thousand yard stare and starts killing everyone who was involved.

Susanah realizes that she's never going to have Brad all to herself and blows her head off, probably becuase there are no more brothers to marry. Alfred makes up with his brother and his father, played by the always great Anthony Hopkins. Life goes on. Brad outlives the whole family excpet for the narrator who must be about 100 himself and gets eaten by a bear. The end. I'm exhausted.

The major virtue of this emblematic film resides in the fiery character of their personages. Since we have born under the designs of the Trojan syndrome, it results us undecipherable certain behavior codes preserved by old legends enrooted and surrounded by the mythic paradigm.

The essential core has to with the transition between the natural law and the tenet of the rules. Of course there is a notorious homage to Shakespeare's Titus and King Lear in which concerns to the well visible differences between these three brothers.

From Lear we have the relationship between father and child. But Tristan ( thinking about Wagner?) is the embodiment of the irreverence, the son of nature, the alter ego of his father, a disillusioned Colonel who fought bravely in previous combats and singly detests all the related items with politics; he knows the real essence of the meaning of honor and loyalty under country' s service. But the nature is by definition, instinctive, because it has no memory. All his sons will enlist and fight as soldiers in the WW1, and through this process will face the reality of the youth's dreams. The weakest son Samuel looses the vision previous his imminent death (Remember the myth' s premise in the case of Wotan or Ragnar?). Alfred represents the new tradition, the submission and the loyal compliment of the law; he is the civilized man. But Tristan represents the wild force and definitively does not follow the tradition; he simply follows the bliss, the renaissance of the Viking' s spirit, that' s why his untamed spirit will lead him to new overseas lands and traditions.

This movie must have shocked many people, because that generation of the last half of the XIX Century, wrought under nature's designs spoke another idiom and even reasoned in another level; but as well as "The wild bunch", this is precisely what it most liked me; the confrontation between the hunter approach of the life and the modern way of life. Obviously his author sympathizes with the wildness and Tristan's death is simply a consequence of the natural order or told in other terms, the cosmic designs.

This was the film who catapulted Brad Pitt as solid actor, and one must guess that having as partner a monster actor as Anthony Hopkins it's easy understandable. What else can be added to this mesmerizing performance of the best actor of the world Sir Anthony Hopkins?. Formidable photography and sensitive direction. The masterpiece of Edward Zwick.

Magnificent in every little detail. There is nothing to disapprove. But just five stars?. An instantaneous cult movie and besides, one of the ten best American films of the decade.

Family values, brotherly love, Legend of the Fall is an epic which depicts every side of both.
Watching this film, it is easy to believe that Brad Pitt, Aidan Quinn and Henry Thomas are brothers and the sons of Anthony Hopkins. The love-hate relationship between Tristan, Alfred and Samuel is almost too realistic. The iron hand of a domineering father who only knows the army way leads to desparate struggles for independence and identity.
Tristin (Brad Pitt) is the middle son, favored by the father (Anthony Hopkins) because of, as well as inspite of, his wild nature. Alfred(Aidan Quinn) is the eldest son. He feels he should be most privilaged, and since he can't get honor and respect from his father, he struggles his entire life to acheive success and out do his brother. Samuel is the youngest son who is looked after by all the family. It is Samuel who brings the woman into the picture.
The struggles of life and death, love and hate weave their way in and out of the story.
Edward Zwick did an excellent job of blending the story with the talents of the actors.
Legend of the Fall is an emotional dramatic ride. The scenery of the remote wildernes is the perfect back drop to support the legend as it unfolds.
I would recommend this film to anyone who wants a good emotional drama with all the twists and turns of real life.