Review of Days of Heaven (1978) by James-Masaki R — 24 Sep 2010

Based in the early 20th century America, Richard Gere plays a man who accidentally kills his boss and must run away with his girlfriend and younger sister, hiding their identities and posing brother and two sisters inread. They end up on a large farm in the middle of nowhere run by a very rich farmer played by Sam Sheperd. But when the farmer falls in love with the girlfriend and decides to marry her, jealousy, secrets, and revenge all look toward tragedy.

The fire scene is one of the most amazing, yet absolutely dangerous things I've ever seen done in a movie. But this is Malick, and he is a man who knows how to make films with amazing beauty. Days Of Heaven needs to be seen as a mood piece more than anything else. It really is a painting come to life.