Brokeback Mountain Movie Cast, Plot and Everything to Know

Plot

What's the story about?

Plot

Set against the sweeping vistas of Wyoming and Texas, the film tells the story of two young men—a ranch-hand and a rodeo cowboy—who meet in the summer of 1963, and unexpectedly forge a lifelong connection, one whose complications, joys, and tragedies provide a testament to the endurance and power of love. Early one morning in Signal, Wyoming, Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) meet while lining up for employment with local rancher Joe Aguirre (Randy Quaid). The world which Ennis and Jack have been born into is at once changing rapidly and yet scarcely evolving. Both young men seem certain of their set places in the heartland—obtaining steady work, marrying, and raising a family—and yet hunger for something beyond what they can articulate. When Aguirre dispatches them to work as sheepherders up on the majestic Brokeback Mountain, they gravitate towards camaraderie and then a deeper intimacy.

At summer's end, the two must come down from Brokeback and part ways. Remaining in Wyoming, Ennis weds his sweetheart Alma (Michelle Williams), with whom he will have two daughters as he ekes out a living. Jack, in Texas, catches the eye of rodeo queen Lureen Newsome (Anne Hathaway). Their courtship and marriage result in a son, as well as jobs in her father's business. Four years pass. One day, Alma brings Ennis a postcard from Jack, who is en route to visit Wyoming. Ennis waits expectantly for his friend, and when Jack at last arrives, in just one moment it is clear that the passage of time has only strengthened the men's attachment. In the years that follow, Ennis and Jack struggle to keep their secret bond alive. They meet up several times annually. Even when they are apart, they face the eternal questions of fidelity, commitment, and trust. Ultimately, the one constant in their lives is a force of nature—love.

Drama Romance Western

Top Cast

The lead cast starring in Brokeback Mountain.

• 
  Jake Gyllenhaal

  The Bride!, In the Grey

• H
  Heath Ledger

  I'm Not There, The Dark Knight

• 
  Anne Hathaway

  Rio, The Odyssey

• 
  Michelle Williams

  The Greatest Showman, The Fabelmans

• S
  Scott Michael Campbell

  Push

• 
  Anna Faris

  Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked

• 
  David Harbour

  A Working Man, Night of the Zoopocalypse

Crew Behind the Film

The Brokeback Mountain behind-the-scenes crew and production team.

The film's director Ang Lee last directed Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Gemini Man. The film's writer Larry McMurtry last wrote Joe Bell and Boone's Lick.

Director

Ang Lee

Screenwriters

Larry McMurtry
Diana Ossana
E. Annie Proulx

Producers

Scott Ferguson
James Schamus

Production Details

What we know about the Brokeback Mountain movie production.

Production Updates for Brokeback Mountain

Dec 2004

Completed

Changed Brokeback Mountain movie production status. The movie is ready for release.

Have updates about Brokeback Mountain? We'd love to hear from you!

Submit update

Additional Information

All Trailers

Watch official Brokeback Mountain movie trailers and clips.

Questions

Looking for more information on Brokeback Mountain?

Official Page and Social Links

• Official Site

Across the Web

• Get Tickets & Showtimes
• Buy on Amazon
• IMDb