The Tree of Life
2011
Not currently streaming on CaSTV
Synopsis
The impressionistic story of a Texas family in the 1950s. The film follows the life journey of the eldest son, Jack, through the innocence of childhood to his disillusioned adult years as he tries to reconcile a complicated relationship with his father. Jack finds himself a lost soul in the modern world, seeking answers to the origins and meaning of life while questioning the existence of faith.
The Tree of Life (2011) is a 2h 19min drama feature film by Terrence Malick. The impressionistic story of a Texas family in the 1950s. Selected for Los Angeles Film Awards (2025).
Key facts
Cast
Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, Hunter McCracken, Sean Penn, Fiona Shaw, Tye Sheridan, Laramie Eppler, Will Wallace
Original language
English
First release
May 17, 2011 (France)
Production companies
Plan B Entertainment, River Road Entertainment
Awards
Palme d'Or, National Board of Review: Top Ten Films, FIPRESCI Grand Prix
Setting
Texas
Filming locations
Iceland
Crew
Screenplay
Terrence Malick
Producer
Bill Pohlad, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Grant Hill, Sarah Green, William Pohlad
Cinematography
Emmanuel Lubezki
Editing
Billy Weber, Daniel Rezende, Hank Corwin, Jay Rabinowitz, Mark Yoshikawa
Music
Alexandre Desplat
Trailer
Stills
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to write one.
Festival History
- Los Angeles Film Awards 2025
- Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists 2012 generic - Migliore film extraeuropeo
- Indiewire Critics' Poll 2011 generic - Best Director ★ 1 (winner per main article)
- San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle 2011
- Village Voice Film Poll 2011 generic ★ Best Film; Best Director
Titles
| Original title | The Tree of Life | English |
| Québec French title | L'Arbre de la vie |
Soundtracks
| CD | The Tree Of Life (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Alexandre Desplat, Daniel Jorge, Mary Croke (2011) | 2 releases, 2011: Lakeshore Records |
Releases & classifications
| Theatrical | France | May 17, 2011 |
| Theatrical | Belgium | May 18, 2011 |
| Theatrical | Switzerland | May 18, 2011 |
| Theatrical | Italy | May 18, 2011 |
| Theatrical | Denmark | May 19, 2011 |
| Theatrical | Greece | May 26, 2011 |
| Theatrical | Portugal | May 26, 2011 |
| Theatrical | United States | May 27, 2011 |
| Theatrical | Poland | June 10, 2011 |
| Theatrical | Germany | June 16, 2011 |
| Theatrical | Austria | June 17, 2011 |
| Theatrical | Canada | June 17, 2011 |
| Theatrical | Australia | June 30, 2011 |
| Theatrical | United Kingdom | July 8, 2011 |
| Theatrical | Ireland | July 8, 2011 |
| Theatrical | Brazil | August 12, 2011 |
| Streaming | Japan | August 12, 2011 |
| Theatrical | New Zealand | August 25, 2011 |
| Theatrical | Finland | August 26, 2011 |
| Theatrical | Norway | September 2, 2011 |
| Theatrical | Indonesia | September 8, 2011 |
| Theatrical | Spain | September 16, 2011 |
| Theatrical | Mexico | October 21, 2011 |
| Theatrical | South Korea | October 27, 2011 |
| Theatrical | Estonia | December 9, 2011 |
| Theatrical | Argentina | December 15, 2011 |
| Theatrical | Hungary | December 15, 2011 |
| Classification | Germany | 0 |
| Classification | United Kingdom | 12A |
| Classification | United States | PG-13 |
Versions & editions
| Original version (English) | ||
| Home video | Canada | October 11, 2011 |
Full credits
| Director | Terrence Malick |
| Cast | Brad Pitt (Mr. O'Brien), Jessica Chastain (Mrs. O'Brien), Hunter McCracken (Young Jack), Sean Penn (Jack), Fiona Shaw (Grandmother), Tye Sheridan (Steve), Laramie Eppler (R.L.), Will Wallace (Architect), Nicolas Gonda (Mr. Reynolds), Jessica Fuselier (Guide), Kelly Koonce (Father Haynes), Bryce Boudoin (Robert), Jimmy Donaldson (Jimmy), Kameron Vaughn (Cayler), Cole Cockburn (Harry Bates), Dustin Allen (George Walsh), Brayden Whisenhunt (Jo Bates), Joanna Going (Jack's Wife), Irene Bedard (Messenger), Michael Koeth (Jack @ 2), Finnegan Williams (Jack @ 5), John Howell (R. L. @ 2), Samantha Martinez (Samantha), Savannah Welch (Mrs. Kimball), Tamara Jolaine (Mrs. Stone), Julia M. Smith (Beth), Anne Nabors (Rue), Ryan Melton (Prisoner), Tyler Thomas (Tyler Stone), Michael Showers (Mr. Brown), Kimberly Whalen (Mrs. Brown), Margaret Hoard (Jane), Wally Welch (Clergyman), Hudson Lee Long (Mr. Bagley), Michael Dixon (Dusty Walsh), William Hardy (Jack's Work Colleague), Tommy Hollis (Tommy), Cooper Franklin Sutherland (Robert #2), John Cyrier (Bi-Plane Pilot), Erma Lee Alexander (Erma), Nicholas Yedinak (Nicholas Swimmer), Erinn Allison (Mrs. Bates (uncredited)), Mary Anzalone (School Teacher (uncredited)), Charlotte Biggs (1950s' Woman (uncredited)), Benjamin Dane (Symphony Patron (uncredited)), Michael E. Harvey (Lame Man (uncredited)), Matt Hislope (Clown (uncredited)), Jackson Hurst (Uncle Ray (uncredited)), Zach Irsik (Jack's Son (uncredited)), Scottie Jefferies (Businessman (uncredited)), Gregory Kelly (Prisoner (uncredited)), Carlotta Maggiorana (Ragazza-angelo (uncredited)), Crystal Mantecon (Elisa (uncredited)), Jodie Moore (Mr. Walsh (uncredited)), Kathryn Rawson (Capitol Secretary (uncredited)), Danielle Rene (Woman (uncredited)), Debbi Tucker (Neighbor (uncredited)) |
| Screenplay | Terrence Malick |
| Producer | Bill Pohlad, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Grant Hill, Sarah Green, William Pohlad |
| Executive producer | Donald Rosenfeld |
| Cinematography | Emmanuel Lubezki |
| Editing | Billy Weber, Daniel Rezende, Hank Corwin, Jay Rabinowitz, Mark Yoshikawa |
| Music | Alexandre Desplat |
| Production design | Jack Fisk |
| Visual effects | Olivier Dumont |
| Sound | Craig Berkey, Erik Aadahl, Will Files |
| Costumes | Jacqueline West |
Additional data: TMDB.
Source: Wikidata (CC0-1.0)
Source: Cinémathèque québécoise, linked catalogue data (CC BY 4.0)
