Harvard graduate James Averill serves as the sheriff of prosperous Jackson County, Wyoming, standing at the center of a conflict between impoverished immigrants and affluent cattle farmers. Politically connected ranchers enlist mercenary Nathan Champion—who is also vying for the affections of local madam Ella Watson—to combat the immigrant uprising. As tensions escalate, both Averill and Champion start to question their decisions.
Directed by Michael Cimino
immigrant
showdown
wyoming, usa
love triangle
montana
brothel
marshal
idealist
cock fighting
cockfight
cattle baron
fiddler
roller skating rink
19th century
repression
johnson county war
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.8 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Kris Kristofferson
James Averill
Christopher Walken
Nathan D. Champion
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
Crew
Michael Cimino
Director
Michael Cimino
Screenplay
Vilmos Zsigmond
Director of Photography
Jane Hallaren
Casting Director
Christine Allsopp
Makeup Artist
David S. Cass Sr.
Stunts
Loyd Catlett
Stunts
Alan Gibbs
Stunts
George Orrison
Stunts
Chuck Waters
Stunts
Bill Hart
Stunts
Buddy Van Horn
Stunt Coordinator
Popular Reviews
45 reviews
Wyatt
8.0★ · 03/14/26
I love a grand and authentic epic! I just wish it wasn’t Kris Kristofferson in the lead. One of my favorite endings to a western.
I love a grand and authentic epic! I just wish it wasn’t Kris Kristofferson in the lead. One of my favorite endings to a western.
Heaven's Gate é um filme que preza, sobretudo, pela ênfase nos gestos, nas relações humanas e nas vivências. O portão do céu, local esse que abriga os imigrantes por certo momento, é um lugar mítico, mágico e (por que não) divino. É o ápice do registro das emoções humanas; basta observar o olhar romântico e apaixonado entre James e Elle; o sorriso puro e inocente das crianças patinando; a melodia sublime do violinista que toca com tanto esmero. Está tudo aqui.
Heaven's Gate é um filme que preza, sobretudo, pela ênfase nos gestos, nas relações humanas e nas vivências. O portão do céu, local esse que abriga os imigrantes por certo momento, é um lugar mítico, mágico e (por que não) divino. É o ápice do registro das emoções humanas; basta observar o olhar romântico e apaixonado entre James e Elle; o sorriso puro e inocente das crianças patinando; a melodia sublime do violinista que toca com tanto esmero. Está tudo aqui.
Inexplicável. Épico e Monumental.
Kalin
6.7★ · 07/16/25
More than a century later and it's not looking much better is it?
More than a century later and it's not looking much better is it?
Tristan Blyth
5.0★ · 07/12/25
Idek why I decided to watch this
Idek why I decided to watch this
Jess
6.0★ · 06/07/25
“I fight Jeff Bridges’s cock.”
- Willem Dafoe on his role in this film
Heaven’s Gate is a film I’ve been curious about for a while. I’m aware that this film bombed at the box office and was called one of the worst movies ever made. But it’s gained a following in recent years, even getting a Criterion release. At a runtime of 218 minutes, I was always hesitant to watch it. It’s by far the longest film I’ve watched yet, maybe even ever.
I got it at one of my local libraries at least a few months ago, and it’s just been sitting there. I have no major plans this weekend, so I figured today would be a good day for me to watch it.
The cinematography was by far my favorite part of this film. The shots of the Montana mountains and greenery were simply stunning. It was filmed at Glacier National Park, which I’ve never been, but it makes me want to visit it even more now. Nothing else about it really stood out to me. It had some good performances. I totally get why so many people love it, but to me, it’s just a slightly above average western epic. At least watching it didn’t feel anywhere near its runtime.
“I fight Jeff Bridges’s cock.”
- Willem Dafoe on his role in this film
Heaven’s Gate is a film I’ve been curious about for a while. I’m aware that this film bombed at the box office and was called one of the worst movies ever made. But it’s gained a following in recent years, even getting a Criterion release. At a runtime of 218 minutes, I was always hesitant to watch it. It’s by far the longest film I’ve watched yet, maybe even ever.
I got it at one of my local libraries at least a few months ago, and it’s just been sitting there. I have no major plans this weekend, so I figured today would be a good day for me to watch it.
The cinematography was by far my favorite part of this film. The shots of the Montana mountains and greenery were simply stunning. It was filmed at Glacier National Park, which I’ve never been, but it makes me want to visit it even more now. Nothing else about it really stood out to me. It had some good performances. I totally get why so many people love it, but to me, it’s just a slightly above average western epic. At least watching it didn’t feel anywhere near its runtime.
