A River Runs Through It

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2:29

A River Runs Through It

PG

Released Oct 9, 1992

2h 3m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

45 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

The Maclean brothers, Paul (Brad Pitt) and Norman (Craig Sheffer), live a relatively idyllic life in rural Montana, spending much of their time fly fishing. The sons of a minister (Tom Skerritt), 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 both where they've been and where they're going.

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Critics Consensus

Tasteful to a fault, this period drama combines a talented cast (including a young Brad Pitt) with some stately, beautifully filmed work from director Robert Redford.

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Peter Stack

San Francisco Chronicle

The film shimmers with grace and visual beauty.

Rated: 4/4

Jan 11, 2023

Full Review

Michael Rechtshaffen

The Hollywood Reporter

Redford directs with a fluid grace... to capture the idyllic, light-drenched aura of Maclean's early childhood memories. Even the seemingly unexciting fly-fishing sequences take on a magical air worthy of Spielberg.

Oct 10, 2018

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Adam Mars-Jones

Independent (UK)

Redford remains a fine director of actors. With Brad Pitt, who gives a particularly good performance, he is dealing moreover with an actor whose handsomeness is reminiscent of his own at that age.

Nov 15, 2017

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

Robert Redford hovers like a ghost over A River Runs Through It...

Rated: 3/4

Sep 29, 2025

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Vanessa Letts

The Spectator

The film is blighted by an inability to break free from its source.

Jul 24, 2018

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Malcolm Johnson

Hartford Courant

Redford's heartfelt yet unfulfilled film feels more watered-down than haunting.

May 29, 2018

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Dennis B

On my "favorite movies of all time" list- alongside the likes of "An Officer and a Gentleman", "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly", "Gran Torino" and others...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/29/25

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sandra h

Beautiful old school movie about a family that gets torn apart by s war and a woman

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

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Michael N

With a run time of 2 hours you would think something would happen but it never does. This movie is pure boredom from start to finish. Its only saving grace is the stunning Montana backdrop.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/19/25

Full Review

Farah R

Redford's elegant touch grants audiences the unique experience of feeling like they are reading a book instead of watching a movie. Coupled with stellar performances and exquisite cinematography, A River Runs Through It is a brilliant drama about family.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/25

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Audience Member

I’ve loved this movie for years and it stands the test of time even rewatching in 2025

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/03/25

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Kevin P

A very thoughtful movie about family and nature.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/20/25

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Robert Redford

Director

Craig Sheffer

Norman Maclean

Brad Pitt

Paul Maclean

Tom Skerritt

Rev. Maclean

Brenda Blethyn

Mrs. Maclean

Emily Lloyd

Jessie Burns

A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - I'll Never Leave Montana

2:13

A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - The Maclean Brothers Fight

1:54

A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - We Can Love Completely

2:06

A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - Shooting the Chutes

2:12

A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - Learning to Fish and Write

2:13

A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - Haunted by Waters

2:09

A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - Witnessing Perfection

2:12

A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - Fishing with Father

1:50

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A River Runs Through It: Trailer 1

2:29

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Synopsis

The Maclean brothers, Paul (Brad Pitt) and Norman (Craig Sheffer), live a relatively idyllic life in rural Montana, spending much of their time fly fishing. The sons of a minister (Tom Skerritt), 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 both where they've been and where they're going.

Director: Robert Redford
Producer: Patrick Markey, Robert Redford
Screenwriter: Norman Maclean, Richard Friedenberg
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Pioneer Entertainment, Columbia Tristar
Production Co: Allied Filmmakers
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 9, 1992, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $43.4M
Runtime: 2h 3m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround, Stereo

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