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Heaven's Gate
"A Remarkable Achievement!" - The Hollywood Reporter
"Richly textured and visually compelling" (The Hollywood Reporter), this lavish, epic western retells the true story of Wyoming's infamous Johnson County War - a brutal conflict during which wealthy cattlemen, backed by the U.S. government, hired mercenaries to murder 125 immigrant settlers.
From the incredible beauty of the magnificent landscapes to the explosive violence of the bloody battle itself, Heaven's Gate combines breathtaking cinematography, Oscar-nominated Art Direction and memorable performances by Kris Kristofferson, Christopher Walken, Isabelle Huppert and Jeff Bridges in a spectacular, panoramic and ultimately haunting look at the reverse side of the American dream.
Critiques des membres
Terrible movie! - Hidden
One of the worst, most self consciously pretentious movies I have ever seen. Kristofferson is a phony stuffed shirt in this movie. Acting is predictable and cliche. Hi pert is still watchable though. She is the best part of this cloying sentimental camp.Unfairly maligned - MSEK
This is a truly beautiful epic that brings back a fascinating and grotesque moment in American history. Creates genuine emotional involvement, even if the battlelines could be drawn a little more clearly. Kris Kristofferson is a very good lead. Most of all, it has several gorgeous scenes; it isn't far from the breathtaking visuals of a Terence Malick movie. Yes, it's slow, yes it was a financial disaster, but it is an ambitious film occasionally attaining real power and displaying real genius.Unique, enlightening, and entertaining - RoddyPiper
Potential viewers can disregard the negative reviews of this film that met its 1980 release. The main story, based on historical fact, shows how immigrants were actually treated in the west in 1890, when these immigrants dared to compete with the established ruling class of cattle barons. The immigrants were slaughtered, and it was done with the full knowledge and support of the US state and federal governments. The film shows that the old beliefs about heroism, freedom and independence of life in the “old west” are false. We have always known about the genocide of the natives, and now we can add to that the wholesale slaughtering of immigrants.
That is the historical backdrop. The personal story is the love triangle of characters played by Kristofferson, Walken and Huppert. The sexual scenes are extremely well done, capturing a mood of casual intimacy both realistic and erotic. The characters are complex, and in many ways admirable.
The length of the film (three hours, forty minutes) was not a problem for me at all. The way the film is able to give a sense of the life of the time is remarkable, in part achieved by the wonderful cinematography. Some of the scenes are so incredible, and beautiful, that you wish you had them hanging on your wall to admire at leisure, instead for a few lingering moments on the screen.
Having read the critics (see Roger Ebert, for example), you cannot help but wonder how they could have disemboweled a film that in fact has so much to offer. Was it jingoistic dislike of having one of your treasured American historical myths debunked? (European critics, in contrast, said the film was a masterpiece.) It was also attacked as being too expensive to make -- but why should the cost affect your judgment as a viewer? It has some flaws, but the aim is very high, and it comes close to that aim.
[my comments - August 2008]
Critiques des membres
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Terrible movie! - Hidden
One of the worst, most self consciously pretentious movies I have ever seen. Kristofferson is a phony stuffed shirt in this movie. Acting is predictable and cliche. Hi pert is still watchable though. She is the best part of this cloying sentimental camp.Unfairly maligned - MSEK
This is a truly beautiful epic that brings back a fascinating and grotesque moment in American history. Creates genuine emotional involvement, even if the battlelines could be drawn a little more clearly. Kris Kristofferson is a very good lead. Most of all, ...Unique, enlightening, and entertaining - RoddyPiper
Potential viewers can disregard the negative reviews of this film that met its 1980 release. The main story, based on historical fact, shows how immigrants were actually treated in the west in 1890, when these immigrants dared to compete with the established ...