..what an epic..

Rating: 10/10 (10 May 2006)

"Legends of the Fall" is not a movie for ordinary entertainment. This film takes total involvement, otherwise you're wasting your time. There are several comments posted here which are truly poetic - I just want to agree with them, absolutely - I can't fathom anyone not liking this film.
Yes, Edward Zwick got all of the magic from Susan Shilliday's script and directed an epic movie in every category. Hard to believe the film got nearly 17,000 votes and it didn't make it to a 9 ? Maybe folk don't recognize epics anymore? No doubt the editor had a ball with such magnificent cinematography and seamless filming. I found every role acted to the fullest.
When I saw "Legends" the first time, the only scenes I could have done without were all those weird places Tristan went to - I saw no reason for them. Tonight (10/21/06), I finally heard "One Stab" (Gordon Tootoosis) explain how animal and human blood combine, making the human more animalistic. That explains why "Tristan" (Brad Pitt) could not kill the bear. "Tristan's" demons certainly showed he "fell from innocence" and how his wildness effected every member of that family. Pitt's acting is stellar. One commentary said a scene in a loonie-bin was cut - good ! I just watched this movie - fifth time - and am laughing at myself. I thought Pitt's character was named "Christian". "Col. Ludlow" (Anthony Hopkins) had to dig deep for that one ! Now I'm wondering who was "Isolde"....could have been either of the ladies who loved him. Julia Ormand (Sussanah Ludlow) and Karina Lombard (Isabel Ludlow) were perfect in their roles, as was the entire cast. Wow! for Hopkins.
Director Zwick surely made all of the characters come alive - the Native American chants were beautiful and so appropriate. Bravo! "One Stab" !
This movie shows you can live in paradise without finding happiness in many ways. Give us some more like this one - although there was a great deal of real-life violence in "Legends", it was necessary to depict the folly of human-beings. shoot-em-ups....