Review of Heaven's Gate (1980) by Theodore F — 31 Mar 2013

You can't even shit around here without stepping in it.

James Averill is a sheriff in town in a county where there is much animosity between land owners and immigrants. A rich land owner has issued a list of 125 immigrants he wants dead and he will pay a pretty penny for each body delivered. Averill is in love with one of the immigrants, but the female is sleeping with him and one of the hired assassins. Who will the immigrant pick, Averill or her other lover, and can Averill balance his personal life and professional responsibilities?

"Seems that balls are getting as scarce as hen's teeth in the army.".

Michael Cimini, director of Deer Hunter, Year of the Dragon, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, Desperate Hours, and The Sunchaser, delivers Heaven's Gate. The storyline for this picture is very interesting and fun to watch unfold. The characters are awesome and the action scenes are excellent. The film is a bit slow but definitely worthwhile. The cast delivers remarkable performances and includes Kris Kristofferson, Christopher Walken, John Hurt, Joseph Cotton, Jeff Bridges, Willem Dafoe, and Mickey Rourke.

"You're not my class and you never will be. You'd have to die and be born again.".

I read the synopsis for this movie while reviewing the Turner Classic Movies (TCM) website and when I saw the cast felt this was must watch. This is pretty close to as good as Deer Hunter, in my opinion. Both films have moments of lull that are boring and underwhelming but the overall picture and final scenes are mesmerizing and must see. I strongly recommend watching this picture.

"They're an ignorant, degraded band of poppers.".

Grade: B.