A beautiful film

Rating: 8/10 (29 September 2004)

This is one of the films that I enjoy watching the most.There is so much to enjoy.The performances,the atmosphere,wonderful scenery and the epic feel of it all.Tristan Ludlow is one of the best romantic heroes of the 90's cinema.Julia Ormond was wonderful and breathed more beauty and charm into the screen.Brad Pitt is seen here in one of his best early performances and he really does an impressive work.Aidan Quinn was also great as his rivalising older brother who is in envy of his love affair and marriage with Julia and turns into a capitalist,leaving his family ranch and his old ideals behind for a comfortable and profitable life as a railroad company executive in town.
This also shows the old nature/civilization conflict,wherein Tristan,his father and One Stab represent the unspoiled and natural side,while Tristan's brother Alfred and the crooked O'Banion brothers represent the corrupt industrial side,which leads to an inevitable clash resulting in a tragedy for Tristan and a final showdown with the O'Banion's.In the meanwhile,Alfred has realized he was on the wrong side and makes peace with his brother.
There is also another angle added to the story,the first world war.Here we see the idealistic spirit of the ill-fated youngest brother Samuel,the martyr character of the film.Samuel chooses to fight for what he believes in and his brothers follow him,uncertain if they are making a wise choice but reluctant to let their little brother fight on his own.It is this addition that gives this film an epic quality.As Tristan falls into a fit of berserker madness after Samuel's death and goes on a killing rampage against the Germans,there is a feeling that something has been lost in him and that a part of him had died,which will later create great complications for him when he tries to build a new life with Susannah.Not just that,but the bear in him has truly awoken and will not be silenced easily.
This could have hardly been better.Anthony Hopkins and Gordon Tootoosis make a great supporting cast,Tootoosis' narration enhancing the epic effect further and giving it a wonderful,mythic touch.
After all this,what more can you ask for?This is a clear winner.8/10