As for the cast, Hopkins is great as Pa Cartwright . . . er, that is, Col. Ludlow, even after his character suffers a stroke and he is forced to retire to the background. (It is also unfortunate that his post-stroke expression and mannerisms bring to mind "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," a role Hopkins played in a 1982 TV movie.) And Quinn proves once again that he is a talent to be reckoned with, perhaps one of the best underrated actors in modern movies.

Pitt isn't bad, relying heavily on his natural charisma, but there's a coldness to him that occasionally seems at odds with the fire Tristan should possess. Ormond is terrific in the film's first half, when her character is developed as a riled-up, independent woman of ideas. In the second half, however, she seems little more than a device to motivate the male characters. (There are also some wonderful supporting players, most notably Gordon Tootoosis, Tantoo Cardinal and Paul Desmond as Col. Ludlow's ranchhands.)

There is nothing new here, and the film certainly could have used more humor. But the story is told in rich, bold colors — and very broad strokes — all of which adds up to a fairly entertaining evening at the movies. Even if it qualifies more as guilty pleasure than great cinema.

"Legends of the Fall" is rated R for considerable violence, some gore, profanity, vulgarity and sex and nudity.