Fresh
On a purely sensory level, Heaven's Gate is overpowering.
Dana Stevens, Slate
Heaven's Gate
What one loves about life are the things that fade.
1980 · 3h 37m · R
Drama, History, Western
Directed by
Michael Cimino
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Heaven's Gate
Overview
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.
Director and cast
- Michael Cimino Director
- Kris Kristofferson as James Averill
- Christopher Walken as Nathan D. Champion
- John Hurt as Billy Irvine
- Sam Waterston as Frank Canton
- Brad Dourif as Mr. Eggleston
- Isabelle Huppert as Ella Watson
- Joseph Cotten as The Reverend Doctor
- Jeff Bridges as John L. Bridges
- Ronnie Hawkins as Major Wolcott
- Paul Koslo as Mayor Charlie Lezak
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
57%
Tomatometer
Rotten
If anything, Michael Cimino's inert disaster of a Western has gotten worse over the years ...
Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York
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
Rotten
It really is a stinker.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
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.
Variety Staff, Variety
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