Why was this film so underrated?

Rating: 9/10 (3 September 2007)

It's the wee hours of the morning on Labor Day 2007. I've just finished watching Legends on Showtime. I was riveted once again, and completely blown away at how well written, shot, directed, acted and scored the entire film is. The fact that it was so overlooked at Oscar time the next year astounds. (Kudos however to John Toll and his Oscar for breathtaking Cinematography.) Wake up Hollywood, and start voting on quality vs. the influence of the studio marketing machines. I lived in LA for 12 years and spent most of those years in the entertainment industry, working for 2 of the major studios. No longer there, I no longer care as much but continue to be disappointed at the dearth of quality films coming out of the studios.
Have we run out of good writers and directors? Or is it studio senior management that is to blame? It's the latter I believe. I can only continue to voice my dissatisfaction by refusing to shell out $10 for mediocre entertainment.
I salute Edward Zwick, and everyone connected with this film for producing one of the finest films of the 90s, and arguably one of the best films ever made. (Perhaps this film was too "hot on the heels" of Dances with Wolves.)