It's one of the most beloved films of the 1990s, and it helped launch the career of one of Hollywood's biggest stars. Now, nearly two decades after Robert Redford's "A River Runs Through It" swept into theaters, the fan-favorite flick is receiving the HD treatment with a remastered Blu-ray collector's edition. It was for that reason that we left New York City recently and traveled north to join actors Tom Skerritt and Craig Sheffer in the serenity of rural Vermont.

Set in early-20th Century America, "A River Runs Through It" is an emotional tale of two teenage brothers (Sheffer and Brad Pitt, in one of his first roles) coming of age under the umbrella of their strict minister father (Skerritt). The common bond among the trio is fly fishing in the great Blackfoot River, and as the brothers grow and drift further apart, their time spent fishing together becomes an even more integral shared experience.

In a sea of big-budget fare, the film stood out for its simplicity and its rawness, and was awarded with three Oscar-nominations, winning one. But it wasn't only embraced by moviegoers; the cast also found themselves immersed in a modern day treasure.

"It turned out every way I hoped it would," recalls Skerritt. "And that would mean it would be a classic film. These films hold up forever. You can look at them again and they'll always touch you on a different level."

"It was a complete life-changer," echoes Sheffer. "But more than that now, how many films do you do that are actually art? When you have a movie that special and that lasts like that, and has such a great emotional depth, you certainly after twenty years you learn to appreciate it."

Fans will also have a lot to appreciate with the new Blu-ray release. Redford filmed a new mini-documentary about the making of the film, collecting anecdotes from Sheffer and assorted castmembers, including cinematographer Philippe Rousselot -- whose work earned him an Academy Award -- and the family of Norman Maclean, the author of the semi-autobiographical novella upon which the film is based. Featurettes on fly fishing and on the conservation efforts on the Blackfoot River are also included, along with a 30-page booklet containing script notes, essays and an additional interview with Redford.

Reflecting back on the experience, Skerritt perhaps states it best. "It's the beauty of the cast, the artwork, the rhythm," he says. "The rhythm of nature is what the movie is about -- and the sound of that title, 'A River Runs Through It.'"

Above: Tom Skerritt and MTV's Brian Jacks