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A River Runs Through It

Play trailer 2:29 Poster for A River Runs Through It PG 1992 2h 3m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 45 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
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 both where they've been and where they're going.
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A River Runs Through It

A River Runs Through It

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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 Jan 11, 2023
4/4
The film shimmers with grace and visual beauty. Go to Full Review Michael Rechtshaffen The Hollywood Reporter Oct 10, 2018
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. Go to Full Review Adam Mars-Jones Independent (UK) Nov 15, 2017
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. Go to Full Review Josh Larsen LarsenOnFilm Sep 29, 2025
3/4
Robert Redford hovers like a ghost over A River Runs Through It... Go to Full Review Vanessa Letts The Spectator Jul 24, 2018
The film is blighted by an inability to break free from its source. Go to Full Review Malcolm L. Johnson Hartford Courant May 29, 2018
Redford's heartfelt yet unfulfilled film feels more watered-down than haunting. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad 6 days ago A River Runs Through It = a *4* star Movie! See more Ace R @dragoneca2 Jun 21, 2026 An absolute amazingly beautiful movie❗This is a soul searching movie, that will make you think deeply, and break your heart, knowing that life goes on, no matter what happens. This is a must see movie. I very highly recommend it. 👏😊 See more James H @RT22708432 Jun 14, 2026 I didn’t think it was that great. The first time it came out years ago watching it tonight what an overrated, trite film you might like it, but a one star is appropriate in my opinion See more Chris B @Papa13070 May 12, 2026 Enjoyed this film produced by Robert Redford which deals with a Presbyterian Minister who has two sons, one is reserved and the other is a hell raiser. This film takes place in Montana and the beauty of their rivers and wonderful land and its beautiful mountains. Tom Skeritt, (Rev. MacLean) plays the role of a very loving parent of Norman MacLean, (Craig Sheffer) who is basically a very straight arrow and also his brother Paul MacLean, (Brad Pitt) who is a newspaper reporter and has a very wild way living especially with drinking and plenty of women. There is a sweet romance between Norman MacLean and Jessie Burns, (Emily Lloyd) who fall in love with each other and these two people try to guide Paul MacLean into a better way of living but he just cannot seem to settle down. Great film about what life is really about in many families. Enjoy this masterpiece. One of my top 5 best ever. See more David H @DavidQHarris Mar 14, 2026 I saw this movie back when it first came out. I saw it again recently in the Broadway Cinema in Salt Lake City as a part of a retrospective of Robert Redford's films, and I have to say, it has aged well. The Montana river scenes are stunning, and they recreated the 1910s and 1920s in a beautiful and believable way. But it's also just a very moving story, narrated by Redford himself, I think. (At least it sure sounded like his voice.) See more mohammed M. @9mr_0 Jan 31, 2026 فلم جميل. القصة رائعه وحواراتها جميلة درامية الى حد كبير مع بعض الكوميديا الخفيفة.لكن القصة ركزة على شخصية واحدة رغم عدد الشخصيات الموجودة فيها . تناولت الشخصيات الاخرى بشكل سطحي و كان بالامكان الاستفادة منهم و توسيع القصة بشكل اكبر. الممثلين ادائهم جميل . ابطال العمل قدموا الشخصيات بشكل رائع و حضورهم كان جيد. الاخراج كان رائع قدم القصة بشكل جيد و سردها بشكل متزن و اعطى الشخصيات مساحة للابداع وغم بعض الشخصيات حواراتها محدودة . التصوير جميل و هادىء و الالوان و المناظر الطبيعية كانت جميلة . الموسيقى كانت جيدة جدا و تناسب اجواء الفلم. بختصار هو فلم درامي دافىء . فية بعض الجوانب السطحية لكن بالاداء التمثيلي الرائع و الاخراج المسيطر و التصوير الجميل يمكنك التغاضي عن هذه الاجزاء.المخرج سرد الفلم بطريقة لم ولن تشعر بالملل . See more Read all reviews
A River Runs Through It

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Cast & Crew

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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

Movie Clips

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A River Runs Through It

A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - I'll Never Leave Montana A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - I'll Never Leave Montana 2:13 Now Playing A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - The Maclean Brothers Fight A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - The Maclean Brothers Fight 1:54 Now Playing A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - We Can Love Completely A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - We Can Love Completely 2:06 Now Playing A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - Shooting the Chutes A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - Shooting the Chutes 2:12 Now Playing A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - Learning to Fish and Write A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - Learning to Fish and Write 2:13 Now Playing A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - Haunted by Waters A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - Haunted by Waters 2:09 Now Playing A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - Witnessing Perfection A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - Witnessing Perfection 2:12 Now Playing A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - Fishing with Father A River Runs Through It: Official Clip - Fishing with Father 1:50 Now Playing View more videos

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A River Runs Through It

A River Runs Through It: Trailer 1 A River Runs Through It: Trailer 1 2:29 Now Playing View more videos
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A River Runs Through It

A River Runs Through It (1992) A River Runs Through It (1992) A River Runs Through It (1992) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis 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 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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