Heaven’s Gate (1980)

VHS COVER/SLIDE

Length of film: 219 Minutes (Re-cut: 154 Minutes)

Rated: R  

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Western

Director: Michael Cimino

Starring: Kris Kristofferson, Christopher Walken, John Hurt, Sam Waterson, Brad Dourif, Isabelle Huppert, Joseph Cotten, Jef Bridges, Richard Masur

IMDB Rank: 6.8/10

Part 1 Time: 129 Minutes (Re-cut: 95 Minutes)

Part 2 Time:   90 Minutes (Re-cut: 59 Minutes)

Where does the first part end?  Canton and his men unload their horses and supplies in the middle of the Johnson county countryside.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “What are we” William C. Irvine (John Hurt) speaks to himself as the train and Canton’s men leave the countryside.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “Morning to you, have a nice sleep last night” one of Canton’s men speaks to Cully (Richard Masur) who is hiding.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, as an all out confrontation between Canton’s forces and the immigrant settlers will take place in Johnson County. Both sides are well armed, frustrated, and passionate for their rights. Which side will prevail?  

Which part is better? Part two is significantly better as it depicts the full out confrontation between the Wyoming Stock Growers Association and the immigrant settlers. Here the audience sees the full extent that differing viewpoints can have and the implications this has on families living within the area.

Academy Awards: Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Nominated)