Rating: 
Summary: A Sow's Ear
Review: From which no silk purse will be made. Reading through the reviews I am amused by those trying to elevate this mess into the realm of "masterpiece". Yes, much of it looks good. For Heaven's sake people, Cimino spent a fortune on this film, there ought to be something up there on the screen worth looking at! The crafts people involved (sets, costumes, photograpy etc.) are the only reason to give the film any stars at all. No, this film had talent aplenty involved with it. But it also had a director who was either in-over-his-head or completely out-of-control. He created huge set pieces (the Harvard dance and the immigrants dance) and filmed them with no focus or sense of pace. They go on endlessly without rhyme or reason. He spends time on a John Hurt speech at the onset of the film that is incoherent and irrelevant. And that is a clue to what will follow. The film wanders and meanders and often grinds to a halt. Much of it is confused and confusing. And to those "intellectuals" who sneer at we mere mortals who don't like this overlong, overblown, incomprehensible mess, I caution you that intellect has nothing to do with your appreciation or dislike of this film. I heard people call Andy Warhol's 8 plus hours film of a man sleeping "genius" too. I imagine you could get some people to watch paint dry if you called it "art". And, finally, the notion that this material regarding the Johnson County wars was somehow "revolutionary" is the last laugh. Cattle barons vs Sodbusters is a NEW theme in Westerns!! Where have you been? And to pin the failure of a botched and muddle-headed film on the political climate is a further laugh. Great films will out! Robert Altman managed to make 2 Westerns satirizing and deconstructing the Western myth, one beautiful & excellent (McCabe & Mrs. Miller) and one muddled & unfocused (Buffalo Bill.....), for about a 10th of the budget splurged on this extravaganza! I recommend everyone rent the DVD of Heaven's Gate. It is the best example I can think of of a good idea gone wildly, rampantly off the tracks due to white powder or egotism or whatever. It has moments of quality drowned in a sea of excess. But, it is worth a look for you to decide for yourself, if you have 4 hours to spare.
Rating: 
Summary: Sub-plot more interesting to me than the "real story"
Review: I have just watched the 2 part VHS-version of this film (Oct, 2003). Given that the main story line is so similar to everyday news now, it wasn't as eye-opening or revolutionary for me as it might have been in 1980 (and, I don't mean to devalue the social justice issues). I became interested, though, in the story of the woman (Ella, the brothel owner) whom two men "wanted". Nate - up until then a "bad guy" (killed the poacher Michael Kovach) - loved and wanted her enough to ask her to marry him (though we never understand why he didn't try to save her earlier from her fate on the death list). Jim Avril (for the most part a "good guy") asked her several times to "leave there", "come away with him", etc. Eventually, Ella tells Jim that Nate had asked her to marry him ... long pause, but Jim seems only to be sucking on his pride (or something); he won't do the same. We aren't sure why not (is he married?). This story of what a woman wants was potentially a great story. Though we saw much in Ella's face, her dialogue was restrained; she didn't beg Jim to act but didn't make a display of sorrow - which I assumed she felt. In fact, his behavior bordered on cruelty - though, by the end, we have to consider that there may have been limits on what he could do. A photo of him with a woman, on his bedstand throughout, actually led me to believe that it was his shrine to a woman whom he had loved and lost (died, possibly?). The tension, for Ella, lay in her need to hold on to what she had (Jim called it merely "things"), but it was her security; possibly salvation from an earlier, hopeless life. She couldn't trade it for vague promises. I waited for him to open his eyes to what she needed, what he would lose, how he needed to act. Much later, she seems to have acceeded to go with Jim- but only because she had run out of options. We are not sure if we see resignation in her face (she never says much). Then, a "doubly" sad ending which finally ends with Jim having to settle for less - something he previously expected Ella to do. A flawed movie, yes, but well worth watching.
Rating:
Summary: Boring Boring movie
Review: This one of the worst movies ever made.The plot is boring and you can't hear the sound of the actors very well.I gave these 2 stars for Christopher Walken performance and the wonderful photography by Vilmos Zsigmond.
Rating: 
Summary: IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT THE DVD
Review: MGM/UA once again made the mistake of not putting English subtitles on the non-English dialogue. Please restore this original feature for the HD-DVD when the time comes!! However those of you who can read either Spanish or French are in great luck because this DVD has subtitling for those two languages and not just for the English dialogue but also for the Serbio-Croat, German, Polish etc. Some of the most powerful lines of dialogue in this film are NOT in English. Those lines are well translated in both French and Spanish on the DVD optional subtitling feature. Widescreen Review are fools to give the picture and sound quality such low ratings. They are not making the correct comparisons. The transfer is excellent a highly accurate representation of the original intended look of the film. No doubt Widescreen Review is comparing it to some digitised all flashy coloured FX flick like Spiderman. This is an organic textured 100% analogue movie containing authentic scope photography unlike today's fake widescreening on so many of today's films. The sound has a rich rustic texture and is a good representation of the original and in some ways clearer than in the theatres. The movie is an important work that requires a mind capable of ditching corporate digitised media's agenda of the past 20 years to think it through clearly. If you appreciated THE THIN RED LINE then you should appreciate this. While a very different film it requires the same kind of thoughtful thinking and feeling viewer willing to meet the film and film-makers half way. As opposed to just consuming an FX blockbuster with one's brain shut-off. Yes I agree it could have been ever better in some ways so I refrain from 5 stars but I give it 4:5 stars for achieved work while 8 stars for courage. Howard...
Rating:
Summary: VIEW IT PROPERLY THEN YOU CAN JUDGE!!
Review: How interesting it is that there are so few actual DVD reviews of this great film. A bunch of VHS watchers viewing a pan & scan master of a true Panavision movie thinking they can account with integrity of this epic. Unless you buy this DVD and view it in the scope letterbox ratio you cannot say that you have seen it. Unlike many of today's fake widescreen movies this is real scope DP work by a master DP. This film reveals a great truth about the character of the history of the American West that does not conform to the standard orthodox mythology. The film has the courage to engage in a taboo of American culture that being a discussion of the American class system. Which according to the ideology of Americanism does not even exist. Moving and magnificent!! Howard S Marks
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Rating: 
Summary: Yes it is a masterpiece
Review: Along with Citizen Kane, The Sweet Hereafter, Paris Texas, and others, this movie is unflinching; a magnificent movie. It is complex -- woven brilliantly into an honest look at bigotry and corruption, especially as practiced by the powerful elite against the 'lesser' classes. In other words, American to the core. Stay away from this movie if you have a low I.Q. If so, you will also write a simplistic review, call it boring, overreaching, or something equally inane. Most people are not aware that politics, not merit, ruined this movie's debut and reputation. I'll leave these facts for you to research. Watch the full length (unedited) version. When the movie ends, you'll wish it had lasted even longer. Hollywood doesn't produce movies this fine anymore. At least not lately. Perhaps we Americans can't handle such an honest look at ourselves. Perhaps the public doesn't have the taste or attention span to support their production.
Rating:
Summary: Yes it is a masterpiece
Review: Along with Citizen Kane, The Sweet Hereafter, Paris, Texas, and others, this movie is unflinching; a magnificent movie. It is complex -- woven brilliantly into an honest look at bigotry and corruption, especially as practiced by the powerful elite against the 'lesser' classes. In other words; American to the core. Stay away from this movie if you have a low I.Q. If so, you will also write a simplistic review, call it boring, overreaching, or someting equally inane. Most people are not aware that politics, not merit, ruined this movie's debut and reputation. I'll leave these facts for you to research. Watch the full length (unedited) version. When the movie ends, you'll wish it had lasted even longer. Hollywood doesn't produce movies this fine anymore. At least not lately. Perhaps we Americans can't handle such an honest look at ourselves. Perhaps the public doesn't have the taste or attention span to support their production.
Rating:
Summary: Not quite a masterpiece, but still....
Review: As one reviewer remarked, we, in Europe, do love this film. But to consider it a masterpiece would be going over the top. Centering around the brutal Johnson County massacres of late 19th century Wyoming(where else!), this film provides a provocative perspective into the over-romanticized theme of American immigration. On one level, this film shows the undertold and oft-forgotten story of ugly nativism which has often tormented America during her three hundred some years. We empathize with those slovenly and starving masses who bear any indignity to get a second chance in this new land. Some of the films most effective scenes are when Kristofferson's character returns back to Casper and witnesses first hand the brutal bigotry boiling at the surface. I hate you because you look different and speak different, now why don't you just go back to where you came from...kinda stuff...vigilante hatred and intolerance. Heaven 's Gate does a fine job of painting such pictures. Jeff Bridges surprised me with his believable performance as an immigrant barkeeper trying to achieve the American Dream. Sometimes, the film's none-too-subtle political agenda can be annoying and ridiculously unfair. My favorite absurdity is the line, 'Its horrible to be poor in America these days.' To which Kris responds, 'Yes, it always was.' If you can stomach half truths like these, the rest of the film can be quite entertaining as well as thought-provoking. On another level, I think the film tries to illuminate the weaknesses of our beloved American democracy. And in this way, the film succeeds. Sam Waterston's malevolent character represents the comfortable and powerful 'establishment'(read here: BIG BUSINESS in hand with GOVERNMENT), which feels threatened by the masses of poor immigrants all wanting a slice of the pie. Thieves and anarchists. The horror! Paranoid delusions of those who have, towards those who have not. The second part of the film is about the showdown between these forces. Who will win? Kris Hood and his Merry Band of Slovaks and Germans? Or the evil Lord of Casper? If seen through such simplistic lenses, the last part of the film becomes quite a fine action piece...complete with lovely Maid Mariann(the loveable and talented Ms. Huppert, who underscores her prostitute character's free-lovin' nature with almost constant nudity) and a very convincing Mr. Walken, as the troubled immigrant hitman, who has to choose between his people or his future. Walken is grand. What he can do with a look, other less talented creatures must do with ten pages of dialogue. Taciturn and menancing, Walken's character makes a nice counterbalance to Kristofferson's excessive nobility. Yet, what makes the film genuine spectacle is the cinematography of the Hungarian genius, Zsigmond Vilmos. If for nothing else, watch this film for its beauty. Vilmos makes magic with his lense. The rich colors and shades(along with filtering that takes you back in time)are candy for the eyes. And some of the scenes.....the ball at the beginning and the immigrant dance....give the film a Dr. Zhivago-like feel. Grand stuff. Like what cinema could be. Or should be. And to top it all off, David Mansfield's somber and moving score gives you a listening treat to boot. If you can take the politics with a grain of salt, then open your ears and eyes and be prepared for a great story about the darker side of Amerika.
Rating:
Summary: Long but worth the time to watch
Review: True this movie was very long and the plot progressed slowly at times but, this was not made to be a cling to your seat adventure. The story is quite well crafted although some might find the subplots a bit vexing if they have a short attention span. Unfortunately Heaven's Gate was released in the heyday of fast moving shallow plotted movies. Had it been set in outer space or the distant future critics would have marveled at the attention to detail rather than panned the complexity. The idea that this is a dangerous place to be poor does not set easy with many. We like to think of the 1880s as a "good" time and find it hard to accept something as bad as the Johnson Cattle Wars Could have happened. Admittedly I do not know enough about the event to say how accurate the account is. The story is an old one though, The rich and powerful must be protected from the poor and weak. The movies ending I would say was very accurate for such situations. Would I recommend the movie? That depends. If you think "Friends" and "Survivor" are great entertainment and need instant gratification I have to say no. If you enjoyed "Lawrence of Arabia" or "The Seven Samurai" I would advise it. Just arrange to have plenty of time and minimal distractions because you will have to pay attention to get the most out of it.
Rating:
Summary: The worst film ever made?
Review: No, not even close. Looong, yeah. Slow, of course. But how can a film with so much pointless violence, so many exploding peasants, ever be so ruthlessly dismissed by the youth of today? Truly, I cry for America. Seriously, though, if you're looking for an interesting failure, this pretty much fits the bill. The sound mix is still awful, the editing choppy but there are hints of brilliance here which makes you wish Cimino goes back for a director's cut one day. Christopher Walken puts in a good performance (along with a young Jeff Bridges and Mickey Rourke), and the score is truly haunting. I actually had to read Steven Bach's book (Final Cut) to figure out what was going on, but Heaven's Gate is worth a look if you don't build up your expectations too much (or lower them completely) beforehand.
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