Legends of the Fall contains more than a fair share of contrived and blatently manipulative plot devices. Any yet, because the film is so intent on painting itself as a giant, sweeping epic, we're able to forgive it. You have to admire a film for swinging for the fence, even if it doesn't quite hit the homerun.

The film opens with a long exposition by an elderly Native American name One-Stab (Gordon Tootoosis). He tells the story of Col. William Ludlow (Anthony Hopkins) who had spent his career in the late 1800's and early 1900's trying to liberate and aid the Indians (let's face it, this was a time before Political Correctness). Fed up with the government, Ludlow retires and builds a life for his family in Montana.

Ludlow's wife, Isabel (Christina Pickles), abandons the family for warmer climates down south, leaving Ludlow to raise their three sons, Alfred (Aidan Quinn), Tristan (Brad Pitt) and Samuel (Henry Thomas).

Once the film gets going, it appears as though it's going to be a tale of the three brothers. To some extent, it is. However, it's more the story of Tristan and the manner in which his very being seems to destroy the lives around him. As One-Stab observes late in the film, Tristan is like a rock that everyone else throws themselves against, breaking themselves to pieces.

The story begins with the youngest brother, Samuel, returning home to introduce his fiance, Susannah (Julia Ormond). It's clear from the instant Alfred and Tristan meet Susannah that they are smitten with her. To complicate matters, she professes her devotion to Samuel, but clearly is having thoughts of the rugged Tristan that are less than virtuous.

Perhaps realizing that his bride-to-be is attracted to his more manly older brother, Samuel becomes obsessed with the conflict that will eventually become World War I. Defying his father, Samuel enlists. Alfred and Tristan also join up, vowing to watch out for their little brother.

Without giving away too much more of the plot, I will reveal that before the story ends, Susannah will have involved herself with all three brothers, but her deepest longing will be for Tristan.

Following the War, Tristan becomes increasingly distant, unable to separate himself from the violence of battle. Ultimately, rather than risk hurting those he loves, he leaves to sail the world and ends up in New Guinea to work out his demons. Meanwhile, Alfred leaves for the city to become a businessman, much to the chagrin of his Col. Ludlow.

Eventually Tristan returns and embarks on a career as a bootlegger during the Prohibition. He infringes upon the terrirory of other bootleggers and initiates a war that results in more pain and misery within the Ludlow family. Can Tristan be blamed? Or is it just that he's a wild spirit, not necessarily fit for civilized life? If you invite a bear into your home, can you honestly blame the bear for the damage he causes?

Legends of the Fall could easily have degenerated into a silly, ridiculous film. There are, in fact, several moments that are worthy of snickers. However, it's the superb acting by the entire cast that lifts this film to greater heights. Of course we expect a stellar performance from Hopkins, and Aidan Quinn is generally reliable. But it's really Brad Pitt who proves himself in this film. Considering that Pitt's character, Tristan, carries the bulk of the drama on his shoulders, anything less than a solid performance would have crashed this film.

I should also mention the visuals. Legends of the Fall won the Oscar for Best Cinematography and not without reason. Even if for no other reason, this film is worth watching just for the stunning camera work.

Melodrama is not a bad thing as long as it's good melodrama and Legends of the Fall fits that bill on the highest order. This is a film that aspires not to be great art, but rather to be great entertainment. In that respect, it succeeds brilliantly.