MovieChat Forums > A River Runs Through It (1992) Discussion > truth vs. fiction

truth vs. fiction

posted 15 years ago by EJF
4 replies | jump to latest

The movie, like the book on which it's based, takes quite a few liberties with the true story of the Maclean brothers (including the fact that they also had five sisters as well as the real circumstances surrounding Paul's murder, which actually took place in Chicago).

Here's an artiole from a Montana newspaper that separates fact from fiction and also contains reminiscences from some of those who knew both brothers:

http://www.helenair.com/articles/2000/07/09/stories/helena/c1a.txt

[–] Fleur_de_lis 15 years ago

Thanks. I never realized that Paul went on to Dartmouth as well.

[–] terryinwva 15 years ago

thanks for the link

[–] C_Whitley88 10 years ago

I realize this is years later, but I recently read the article you reference. It's the only place, republished through several newspapers, where I've seen mention of these five sisters, other than here. Knowing the article was rather old to be commenting on, but being intrigued, nonetheless, I checked the census records for 1910, 1920, and 1930. No other children were listed, nor was Clara (Norman's and Paul's mother) listed as having given birth to more than two children, according to the 1910 Census. Just a small factual error that piqued my curiosity.

[–] [email protected] (1711) a year ago

Can someone post the article here? It requires subscription to read.