Heaven's Gate - Director's Cut
Much discussed but little seen, this is the most controversial film of the late twentieth century.
As infamous as Cleopatra, which brought down a major Hollywood studio, Heaven's Gate almost bankrupted United Artists. It also effectively ended the career of its writer and director, Michael Cimino (who has only completed one film since). After his previous feature The Deer Hunter won a slew of Oscars – including Best Picture and Best Director – Cimino was initially given free rein. Then the budget began blowing out at a rapid rate and the studio tried to restrain him. Ultimately it was deemed better to allow Cimino to complete the film, albeit with some constraints. But three days after its release, the executive panicked and had 80 minutes cut from the picture. Before long, both the Cinémathéque Français and the National Film Theatre ran the long version, which most critics proclaimed a masterpiece. Now that version – fully restored and with Dolby Sound – can be seen for the first time in Australia with this brand new print. With strong performances from Kris Kristofferson (in a role originally slated for John Wayne!), Christopher Walken (fresh from his Deer Hunter Oscar), Isabelle Huppert (until then unknown outside France), John Hurt, Jeff Bridges and Sam Waterston, this is an extraordinary visual experience. As one writer remarked: "It's as though David Lean had made a Western".
"Art is never finished – only abandoned" - Leonardo Da Vinci
Reviews
“You just don't see films like this any more – and the world is worse off because of it. Four and a half stars.”
Margaret Pomeranz, At the Movies
When
12:30 PM Thursday, 24 February
Buy Tickets Online
Greater Union - Cinema 2
Ticket Price
Full price $14
Industry $12
SPU Concession $10
About Heaven's Gate - Director's Cut
225 minutes35mm
2.35:1
Dolby Stereo
In English
Print Source
Chapel Distribution
Mark Spratt
potfilms@ozemail.com.au
About the Director
Michael Cimino
Michael Cimino (believed to be born in 1939) studied architecture and dramatic arts, receiving a BFA degree from Yale University in 1961 and an MFA in 1963. He initially filmed advertisements and documentaries and also wrote scripts until his mentor Clint Eastwood gave him the opportunity to direct the thriller Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974). His biggest success was The Deer Hunter (1978), which won an Oscar for best film.
Filmography
The Sunchaser (1996)Desperate Hours (1990)
The Sicilian (1987)
Year of the Dragon (1985)
The Pope of Greenwich Village (uncredited) (1984)
Heaven's Gate (1980)
The Deer Hunter (1979)
Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974)