Its on par with Braveheart, Gladiator and Last Samurai

Rating: 10/10 (24 January 2006)

Legends of the Fall is not just a masturbatory aid for fans of Brad Pitt as some imdbers seem to suggest. Ed Zwick even says in the commentary that at the time this was made, Brad wasn't the super star and box office draw he is now. The studio didn't even want him in the movie.
Ed saw the light and made a great flick which was unfairly labeled a "chick flick" at the time of its release. Sure its got romance but for me personally, the youngest of three brothers, its focus is the brothers and how they relate. I felt the relationships between the brothers, and how one woman changed all that, was really engaging.
And what a beautiful woman, Julia Ormand is stunning in this film. She is exactly the type of woman who sort of floats through life without realizing the effect she has on the men around her. Anthony Hopkins does an awesome job as the old (gentle) man, and all the smaller roles are filled out by wonderful character actors.
I love this movie, its not very realistic, nor is it trying to be. Its like a damn good novel, one you can return to time and again. Definitely one I'd like to pass onto my kids if I ever have any.