Beautiful, interesting, incredible cinema.
HEAVEN'S GATE
Synopsis
Wyoming, 1890s. When the Stock Growers’ Association wages war against European settlers, Sheriff Jim offers the immigrant community his protection. But as mercenaries charge on Johnson County, a love triangle—between Jim, brothel madam Ella, and hired gun Nate—becomes a desperate fight for survival.
Synopsis
Wyoming, 1890s. When the Stock Growers’ Association wages war against European settlers, Sheriff Jim offers the immigrant community his protection. But as mercenaries charge on Johnson County, a love triangle—between Jim, brothel madam Ella, and hired gun Nate—becomes a desperate fight for survival.
Our take
While the film’s runaway budget contributed to a studio’s collapse, Michael Cimino’s ambitious epic remains a stunning work of novelistic filmmaking. Thronging with stars of 1970s cinema, Heaven’s Gate may be quintessentially American, but achieves the sweep and detail of great Russian literature.