<P> A River Runs Through It is a 1992 American period coming - of - age drama film directed by Robert Redford and starring Craig Sheffer, Brad Pitt, Tom Skerritt, Brenda Blethyn, and Emily Lloyd . It is a based on the 1976 semi-autobiographical novel A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean, adapted for the screen by Richard Friedenberg . Set in and around Missoula, Montana, the story follows two sons of a Presbyterian minister, one studious and the other rebellious, as they grow up and come of age in the Rocky Mountain region during a span of time from roughly World War I to the early days of the Great Depression, including part of the Prohibition era . </P> <P> The film won an Academy Award for Best Cinematography in 1993 and was nominated for two other Oscars, for Best Music, Original Score and Best Adapted Screenplay . The film grossed $43 million in US domestic returns . </P> <P> The film follows the true story of the Maclean brothers, Norman and Paul, growing up in Missoula, Montana with their father, Presbyterian minister John . A common theme in the film is the men's love of fly fishing for trout in the Blackfoot River and how it impacted their lives . The film is told from Norman's point of view, with director Robert Redford as narrator . </P> <P> The film opens with a scene of Norman Maclean in his old age tying a fly onto his line . This establishes that Norman is telling this story in the past - tense as he is fishing . </P>

Where does a river runs through it take place