Overview
A family's bond is tested by love and war in the rugged Montana wilderness.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- sweeping
- melancholic
- romantic
- quiet evening
- historical drama marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the performances, Brad Pitt's star-making turn, and painterly cinematography while finding the sprawling narrative and melodramatic twists uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Ludlow brothers' rivalry, romances, wartime experiences, and tragedies unfold with panoramic emotional scale.
Tristan and Alfred return from World War I changed by their tours, while the family's central tragedy begins with Samuel's death.
The Ludlow ranch and remote Montana wilderness frame the brothers' intense loyalties, grief, and romantic rivalry.
Tristan and Alfred's opposing temperaments and shared love for Susannah progressively damage their close-knit family.
Films like Legends of the Fall, and why
East of Eden
Shared themes of sibling rivalry, family legacy, forbidden desire, and sweeping historical melodrama.
Giant
Shared western setting, expansive family saga, romance, and grand melodramatic scale.
A River Runs Through It
Shared Montana wilderness, lyrical period drama, brotherly bonds, and romantic conflict.
The English Patient
Shared war trauma, doomed romance, and emotionally heightened historical storytelling.
Movie Details
- Director
- Edward Zwick
- Release Date
- 1994-12-23
- Runtime
- 133 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (2957)
Cast
- Brad Pitt
- Anthony Hopkins
- Aidan Quinn
- Julia Ormond
- Henry Thomas
- Karina Lombard
- Gordon Tootoosis
- John Novak
- Robert Wisden
- Tantoo Cardinal
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Legends of the Fall about?
- An expansive Montana family saga where wartime trauma and romantic rivalry fracture the fierce bond between three brothers.
- What is Legends of the Fall like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Legends of the Fall as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Legends of the Fall violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Legends of the Fall as moderate.
- What did critics think of Legends of the Fall?
- Critics broadly praised the performances, Brad Pitt's star-making turn, and painterly cinematography while finding the sprawling narrative and melodramatic twists uneven.
- Which films are like Legends of the Fall?
- Films with a similar feel include East of Eden, Giant, A River Runs Through It, and The English Patient.
- How long is Legends of the Fall?
- Legends of the Fall runs 133 minutes.
- Where can I watch Legends of the Fall?
- In United States, Legends of the Fall is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling, Spectrum On Demand, Plex.
