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Heaven's Gate (1980)

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5 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

For all the abuse heaped on it, this is - in its complete version, at least - a majestic and lovingly detailed Western which simultaneously celebrates and undermines the myth of the American frontier. The keynote is touched in the wonderfully choreographed opening evocation of a Harvard graduation in 1870: answering the Dean's ritual address urging graduates to spread culture through contact with the uncultivated, the class valedictorian (Hurt) mockingly replies that they see no need for change in a world 'on the whole well arranged'. Twenty years later, as Hurt and fellow-graduate Kristofferson become involved in the Johnson County Wars, their troubled consciences suggest that some change in the 'arrangements' might well have been in order. Watching uneasily as the rich cattle barons legally exterminate the poor immigrant farmers who have taken to illegal rustling to feed their starving families, they can only attempt to enforce the law that has become a mockery (Kristofferson) or lapse into soothing alcoholism (Hurt). Moral compromise on a national scale is in question here, a theme subtly echoed by the strange romantic triangle that lies at the heart of the film: a three-way struggle between the man who has everything (Kristofferson), the man who has nothing (Walken), and the girl (Huppert) who would settle for either provided no fraudulent compromise is asked of her. The ending, strange and dreamlike, blandly turns a blind eye to shut out the atrocities and casuistries we have witnessed, and on which the American dream was founded; not much wonder the American press went on a mass witch-hunt against the film's un-American activities.

Author: TM

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

Riccio said...

Posted on Jan 29 2011 22:49 I saw this film when it first came out. I liked it then and still like my vcr version. Most tv, even violent etc is directed to a 13 year old brain - Heaven's Gate was just beyond comprehension for the average critic ------- many documentaries of tragic events do not provide what critics or many casual viewers are looking for.

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Stephen Campbell said...

Posted on Aug 11 2010 14:07 A wonderful movie ruined by critics who should have known better.
One of those films that after a few viewings will stay long in your memory,be it the final battle or David Mansfields achingly beautiful score and Vimos Zgismonds camerawork .
Now with 30years hindsight we can see the movie is a flawed diamond in the rough

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John Giagnorio said...

Posted on Apr 14 2010 09:03 Wonderfully written review of a beautiful movie. 99.99% of the material written about Heaven's Gate is total garbage. Thank you for sharing this.

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allan peerce said...

Posted on Jun 07 2009 22:46 The Movie Heaven's Gate is one of the most realistic captures of the early US Though this movie was based in 1890 the politics have not changed The government, as we see it, or as the public is being told through the media, etc does no wrong. The Government, because of the Cattle Barons money agreed to put an end to these unfortunate, loving families, which many yrs prior, they did this to the Indians The US government will do whatever they want to whomever they choose provided the money keeps their lifestyle comfortable.

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allan peerce said...

Posted on Jun 07 2009 22:41 The Movie, "Heaven's Gate" is one of the most realistic captures of the early US. Though this movie was based in 1890,...the politics have not changed. The government, as we see it, or as the public is being told through the media, etc....does no wrong. The Government, because of the Cattle Barons money agreed to put an end to these unfortunate, loving families, which many yrs prior, they did this to the Indians....The US government will do whatever they want to whomever they choose provided the money keeps their lifestyle comfortable.

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