Legends of the Fall: Deluxe Edition

Brad Pitt's star, already on the ascent when Legends of the Fall was released in 1994, zoomed to stratospheric heights as a result of his work in this multilayered saga of Montana ranch life during the early 20th century. Anthony Hopkins contributes one of his customarily assured performances as the former cavalry officer who, disgusted by the government's persecution of Native Americans, concentrates on building the sprawling cattle ranch that will one day belong to his three sons—Aidan Quinn (playing the oldest), Henry Thomas (the youngest), and top-billed Pitt (the unruly middle brother)—whose squabbling and rivalries intensify when pretty Julia Ormond happens along. Director Edward Zwick (Glory) focuses his storytelling energies on the conflicts among the sons and their relationship with their iconoclastic patriarch, maintaining the integrity of Jim Harrison's novella and never allowing the narrative to degenerate into mere soap opera. Ormond is radiant, and Quinn and Thomas are superb as the "bookend" brothers, but the film ultimately belongs to Pitt, who finally reveals himself to be a charismatic leading man in this lyrical mood piece. Presented with a handsome newly remastered widescreen transfer, this “deluxe edition” features the same extras as the original release—audio commentary by Zwick and Pitt, deleted scenes, and a pair of featurettes—with the only new addition being a 24-page movie scrapbook. If you don't own the earlier release, this one is recommended. [Note: also newly available from Sony and starring Pitt is A River Runs Through It: Deluxe Edition.] (E. Hulse)