Heaven's Gate (1980)

A dramatization of the real-life Johnson County War in 1890 Wyoming, in which a sheriff born into wealth attempts to protect immigrant farmers from rich cattle interests.

Director:

Michael Cimino

Writer:

Michael Cimino

Stars:

Kris Kristofferson, Christopher Walken, John Hurt

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kris Kristofferson	...	James Averill
Christopher Walken	...	Nathan D. Champion (as Chris Walken)
John Hurt	...	Billy Irvine
Sam Waterston	...	Frank Canton
Brad Dourif	...	Mr. Eggleston
Isabelle Huppert	...	Ella Watson
Joseph Cotten	...	The Reverend Doctor
Jeff Bridges	...	John L. Bridges
Ronnie Hawkins	...	Major Wolcott
Paul Koslo	...	Mayor Charlie Lezak
Geoffrey Lewis	...	Trapper Fred
Richard Masur	...	Cully
Rosie Vela	...	Beautiful girl (as Roseanne Vela)
Mary Catherine Wright	...	Nell (as Mary C. Wright)
Nicholas Woodeson	...	Small man

Storyline

Michael Cimino's bleak anti-western based on events in 1890s Wyoming. Sheriff James Averill attempts to protect immigrant farmers from wealthy cattle interests, and also clashes with a hired gun, Nathan Champion, over the woman they both love, Ella Watson. Both men find themselves questioning their roles in the furious conflict between wealthy landowners and European immigrants attempting to build new lives on the American frontier, which culminates in a brutal pitched battle.

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Plot Keywords:

immigrant | battle | frontier | 1890s | love | 

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Taglines:

The only thing greater than their passion for America...was their passion for each other.

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Russian French

Release Date:

19 November 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Michael Cimino's Heaven's Gate

Filming Locations:

Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Montana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$44,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$1,500,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Partisan Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

219 min 149 min (re-cut) 219 min (original cut) 216 min (2012 director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby (35 mm prints) 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kris Kristofferson and director Michael Cimino were planning to do a remake of The Fountainhead with Kristofferson in the starring role after this movie was done with. Since it was, as Kristofferson puts it, "universally trashed", they had to give up on the idea.

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Goofs

There is no time lapse between the song played for the roller skaters, Jim taking Bridges out to the wagon, and Jim coming back in for his dance with Ella. Still, when he goes back inside, the entire crowd is gone, and Jim and Ella are no longer wearing the roller skates.

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Quotes

Nathan D. Champion: Why don't you come in for a while? You haven't been here for a long time. I fixed the place up inside.
Ella Watson: What have you done to it?
Nathan D. Champion: [whispers] Wallpaper.

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Connections

Featured in Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession (2004)

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Soundtracks

"The Battle Hymn of the Republic"
(uncredited)
Music by William Steffe
Played by the marching band

User Reviews

What did Hollywood have against Heaven?

I was expecting this movie to be a stinker but I wanted to see for myself, but I was surprised how good of a movie this was. I know longer movies often don't do well at the box office but why this was pulled and not allowed to be viewed by the public is beyond me. It maintained my interest throughout and the scenery and photography is breathtaking at times. The plot was good and the morality play was a good one. I liked the realism which was along the lines of "Unforgiven". I had to rent this movie to see it but it was definitely worth it.