Harvard graduate James Averill serves as the sheriff of prosperous Jackson County, Wyoming, standing at the center of a conflict between impoverished immigrants and affluent cattle farmers. Politically connected ranchers enlist mercenary Nathan Champion—who is also vying for the affections of local madam Ella Watson—to combat the immigrant uprising. As tensions escalate, both Averill and Champion start to question their decisions.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 2 wins & 9 nominations total
Top Critics Reviews
fresh:
On a purely sensory level, Heaven's Gate is overpowering.
– Dana Stevens,
Slate,
1 Apr 2013
rotten:
If anything, Michael Cimino's inert disaster of a Western has gotten worse over the years ...
– Joshua Rothkopf,
Time Out New York,
19 Mar 2013
rotten:
The longer version is impressive as long as the characters and settings remain in long shot; only when the camera gets closer do the problems start.
– Jonathan Rosenbaum,
Chicago Reader,
2 Mar 2012
rotten:
It really is a stinker.
– Dave Kehr,
Chicago Reader,
2 Mar 2012
rotten:
The balance of director Michael Cimino's film is so confusing, so overlong at three-and-a-half hours and so ponderous that it fails to work at almost every level.