possibly THE historical epic against which all others should be judged

Rating: 10/10 (10 May 2005)

There are occasionally people who find history boring. Well, anyone who watches "Legends of the Fall" could not possibly find history boring. The movie tells the story of Col. William Ludlow (Anthony Hopkins) who has become disgusted with the American "civilization" of the early 20th century and is raising his sons Tristan (Brad Pitt), Alfred (Aidan Quinn) and Samuel (Henry Thomas) in rural Montana (his wife has left him and returned to the East Coast). Particularly repulsed at the US government's treatment of Native Americans, Col. Ludlow has befriended several Indians and is raising his sons with Indian wisdom.
Tristan remains ever rebellious and sometimes his actions cause problems for the family. Alfred feels that if there is going to be any change in the government's policies, he may have to initiate them. Samuel goes to Canada so that he can fight alongside the English when World War I starts.
The title refers specifically to the theoretical (or sometimes real) fall from innocence, as described in the Bible. As this movie shows, sometimes in life, there are no innocent people.
Two other achievements in the movie are the cinematography and the score. John Toll's cinematography majestically shows the vast reaches of Montana's landscape, while the musical score is uplifting and somber at the same time.
"Legends of the Fall" was definitely one of the best movies of 1994.