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A River Runs Through It Poster

A River Runs Through It

Nothing perfect lasts forever. Except in our memories.
1992 | 123m | English

(69066 votes)

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Popularity: 6 (history)

Details

The Maclean brothers, Paul and Norman, live a relatively idyllic life in rural Montana, spending much of their time fly fishing. The sons of a minister, the boys eventually part company when Norman moves east to attend college, leaving his rebellious brother to find trouble back home. When Norman finally returns, the siblings resume their fishing outings, and assess where they've been and where they're going.
Release Date: Oct 09, 1992
Director: Robert Redford
Writer: Richard Friedenberg, Norman Maclean
Genres: Family, Drama
Keywords individual, fishing, sibling relationship, fly fishing, prohibition era, semi autobiographical, gambling, pastor, journalist, montana
Production Companies Columbia Pictures
Box Office Revenue: $43,440,294
Budget: $12,000,000
Updates Updated: Aug 03, 2025 (Update)
Entered: Apr 13, 2024
Trailers and Extras

Full Credits

Name Character
Craig Sheffer Norman Maclean
Brad Pitt Paul Maclean
Tom Skerritt Rev. Maclean
Brenda Blethyn Mrs. Maclean
Edie McClurg Mrs. Burns
Stephen Shellen Neal Burns
Vann Gravage Young Paul
Susan Traylor Rawhide
Nicole Burdette Mabel
Emily Lloyd Jessie Burns
William Hootkins Murphy
Joseph Gordon-Levitt Young Norman
Michael Cudlitz Chub
Rob Cox Conroy
Buck Simmonds Humph
Fred Oakland Mr. Burns
David Creamer Ken Burns
Madonna Reubens Aunt Sally
John Reubens Uncle Jimmy
Arnold Richardson Old Norman
MacIntyre Dixon Police Sergeant
Al Richardson Mr. Murchison
Jess Schwidde Mr. Sweeney
Chuck Adamson Harry the Editor
Rex Kendall Reporter
Jack Kroll Reporter
Martina Kreidl Secretary at Newspaper
Noah Scot Snyder Copy Boy at Newspaper
Margot Kiser Sal
Philip A. Braun Dealer at Lolo
Tracy Mayfield Bouncer at Lolo
Anne Merrem Hooker at Lolo
Chuck Tweed Drunk in Jail
Prudence Johnson Pavilion Singer
D. Gorton Pavilion Announcer
Lincoln Quesenberry Drunk in Alley
Hawk Forssell Bouncer at Speakeasy
Jim Dunkin Speakeasy Bartender
Jacob Snyder Piano Player
Kathy Scharler Waitress at Speakeasy
Don Jeffery Black Jack
Byron Dingman Speakeasy Patron
Cecily Johnson Speakeasy Patron
Caleb Shiff Young John
Camille Bonora Helen Kane Impersonator (uncredited)
Robert Redford Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Name Job
Christopher Boyes Foley Recordist
Mark Isham Original Music Composer
Jon Hutman Production Design
Philippe Rousselot Director of Photography
Lynzee Klingman Editor
Gary Rydstrom Sound Re-Recording Mixer, Sound Designer
Tom Johnson Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Tom Myers Assistant Sound Designer
Richard Hymns Supervising Sound Editor
Annie Ellis Stunts
Miranda Garrison Choreographer
Mark Yuricich Special Effects
Richard Stutsman Special Effects
Kathy O'Rear Costume Design
Richard Friedenberg Screenplay
Elisabeth Leustig Casting
Reese Spensley Costume Design
Robert Estrin Editor
Gretchen Rau Set Decoration
Bernie Pollack Costume Design
Walter P. Martishius Art Direction
Norman Maclean Author
Ken Fischer Sound Effects Editor
Clayton Collins Sound Effects Editor
Justin Fonda Additional Grip
Daniel W. Barringer Stunts
Robert Redford Director
Noon Orsatti Stunts
John Robotham Stunt Coordinator
Name Title
William Kittredge Producer
Amalia Mato Producer
Barbara Maltby Executive Producer
Patrick Markey Producer
Robert Redford Producer
Jake Eberts Executive Producer
Organization Category Person
Golden Globes Best Picture N/A Nominated
BAFTA Awards Best Supporting Actress Barbara Hershey Nominated
Popularity Metrics

Popularity History


Year Month Avg Max Min
2024 4 25 39 18
2024 5 31 47 18
2024 6 29 46 15
2024 7 28 44 16
2024 8 26 50 14
2024 9 20 31 13
2024 10 27 54 17
2024 11 27 70 15
2024 12 22 38 14
2025 1 21 30 15
2025 2 15 25 3
2025 3 7 27 1
2025 4 3 4 2
2025 5 3 3 2
2025 6 3 4 2
2025 7 3 5 2
2025 8 3 8 2
2025 9 6 10 2

Trending Position


Year Month High Avg
2025 9 145 550

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Reviews

Wuchak
8.0

_**Two brothers growing up in Montana during the 20s**_ After WW1, two brothers come-of-age in the Missoula area of Montana; one prudent (Craig Sheffer) and the other imprudent (Brad Pitt). Tom Skerritt plays their father, a wise Presbyterian minister, while Emily Lloyd plays the sensible son’s p ... otential romantic interest. "A River Runs through It" (1992) was based on the memoir of American author Norman Maclean and is similar to “Legends of the Fall” (1994), but understandably more mundane (in a positive sense). This was Robert Redford’s third directorial effort and it was very successful. It effectively brings to life the Prohibition Era of the 20s and early 30s with their Model T's and speakeasies. Aside from Lloyd, Susan Traylor appears on the feminine front as a woman with, um, rather loose morals while Nicole Burdette plays the Indian lass that Pitt’s character brings to a speakeasy. The moral is deep and a little murky, but clear if you reflect on it. Regardless, it’s a great drama that takes you back to rural America during the roaring 20s. If you like “Legends of the Fall” and “The Horse Whisperer” (1998) it’s a must. The film runs 2 hours, 3 minutes, and was shot in western Montana (Livingston, Granite Falls & Bozeman) with one scene done in Wyoming. Needless to say, the locations are a highlight. GRADE: A-/B+

Jun 23, 2021