Love this film ... Vincent Canby was a nasty dickhead ( D.R.I.P.) ..... and this is one of the most original and raw-beautiful scenes in movie history ..... Cimino is a great artist but he doesn't appeal to cretins ....
It was never meant to be Mass Entertainment; that's why it was panned alike by critics and viewers at the time. I reckon it's like reading some of Shakespeare to my dogs. They couldn't give two shits about what I was saying unless I inserted the word "coookieeee" now and then.
1980 was too close to the political shit of the 1970's in the national psyche. Check out what films became megahits in the 1980's and that'll give you an idea of what the Public really wanted for viewing pleasure.
Cimino's was a perfectionist. He made a perfect "historical", albeit politically slanted film, right down to the underwear, for an audience that expected more Year of the Dragon and less Shane. This film was so far ahead of its time that even now, with a cult following, many would be at a loss as to explain its drawing power.
I actually cry every time I see all the people about to be slaughtered dancing and having fun. This is a classic film and those that pan it are shortsighted.
Who could not like this? People with little reason to have fun, having fun. Wow, republicans rolling over in their graves. Wonderful, I hope they spin for eternity.
This film was one of the biggest pieces of rubbish ever made. Michael Cimino really failed as a director. Even his best films are pretty poor. The Deer Hunter is barely watchable. At least the complete nonsense of this film saved us from more big budget rubbish and it allowed him to make fairly low budget rubbish (which nobody went to see). He certainly gives Edward D Wood a good run for his money as the worst director ever.
Hands down,dullest film i've ever seen.But cimino did contribute something to mankind,a cure for insomnia.What a waste,terrible cast,terrible plot.The visuals were great...until the final battle.So even its greatest feature,eventually becomes a terrible flaw.It's hard to judge what's the worst film ever made,but this one ranks right up there.One of the few times the paid critics,got it right..VERY right!
This utterly brilliant, exuberant and uplifting shot thrills me every time I see it - don't be fooled by the critics' panning and its reputation: the film is one of the greatest un-sung classics. So:- thank you for posting this clip - if you hadn't, I would have got round to it myself!
@ThomShelford An unsung classic; well you're half right; it's certainly unsung but it's only a classic as in a classic example of how not to make a film
It's amazing how polarized people are regarding this movie. They are either full of praise saying it's an underappreciated masterpiece people lacked the ability to fully grasp, or they downright hate it and use ridiculous insults worthy of videogame playing kids.
Personally I think both extremes are wrong. I believe the film is beautifully shot and the craftmanship top class. The biggest problem is that the main story takes forever to get going, and many scenes such as this only veer off.
I do find the many distractions needlessly long and far too many characters are hard to care about since the role they play in the story is pretty much insignificant.
The movie is far too slow. Now, I don't mind slow at all and love "Once Upon a Time in the West" and "Barry Lyndon". Sergio Leone could create an interesting scene with three gunmen saying nothing and waiting for a train and Kubrick did create tension in the duel scene in Barry Lyndon with very little happening.
At first I was thinking "This scene isn't so bad, it's kinda neat to watch and it's filmed well, why did people hate this movie so much?" Then it just kept going, and going, with no dialogue and nothing actually happening.... this is bullshit......
I was captivated by this Film from the moment I first saw it on an obscure German TV channel (of all places)! In the 90's. Must have watched it a hundred times since. Love the story, the music, the actors. I know it's not everyones cup of tea, but I love it, especially this scene!!
ALL YOU CRITICS OF HEAVENS GATE..... YOU FAIL TO UNDERSTAND THIS TRULY GREAT PIECE OF FILM. Cimino's stoy telling and realizum of this time in our country history was stupendious. It was a great movie, with great actors.
This scene is meant as a contrast to the Victorian era estrangement and isolation of the dance scene after the Harvard graduation earlier in the film. It paints an important emotional picture of the people scraping by out on the range. The rollerskating is a metaphor for the hard work it takes these people to go in circles and the joy they get out of being alive.
@pcc68 Wyoming Native...they actually did this in the Occidental in Buffalo WY, great grandma still has the skates....good god you city folks are stupid...please dont come out here to study this...we would rather you stayed there...
Michael Cimino's dedication to authenticity is legendary, thirteen3, whether as a ruinous obsession or drive for perfection is a separate matter. I've heard that he even required his actors and actresses to wear the underwear of the period. That’s all I need to know to accept that this is the way people conducted themselves in Johnson County, Wyoming, in 1892. We’ve all been raised on the cowboy-and-Indian aspect of the opening of the American West, but that does not make it the WHOLE truth.
This is quiet possibly the most underrated movie of all time....sure it's long....sure it's slow....but it ranks alongside 'There will be blood' as one of the finest character driven pieces of the western era....such a pity it slipped through the net.
@captainkayos1 It didn't so much slip through as dived through and hit the bottom really hard. The film has no real story, no real heart and God only knows what it is really about.
I personally dont care for this movie either, to many long winded scenes to no payoff, this scene included. However, the beginning of this scene is awesomely shot!
TRES BEAU FILM MASSACRE PAR LA PRESSE DES USA les acteurs sont excélents le sujet également meme la version longue est superbe , la relation entre la musique des pauvres et celle des riches au début du film on ne se lasse pas de revoir ce western
@babymoondancer I think he was using it to show how life was then and that there was a happy, community forming that love life. I thought its use was effective. It actually made me jealous of the fun of it. The magic of it was that the actors looked like they were actually having great fun.
@lynette1953 Only, there was a roller rink in Johnson County where all the polish immigrants congregated. If you were trying to be a wit, you're halfway there.
@lynette1953 No, as it wasn't exactly obscure information. Of course I'm not the one that shoots their mouth off, then looks like an idiot when shown they have no idea what they are talking about. That's just a silly way some of us have.
Wonderfully lyrical sequence. The more times I watch this film, the better it gets. There's a fully-realized world to take in and an aching sense of loss to encounter.
This movie was popular in Europe and shows more of how American's have pigeon-holed what a good movie should be.
And perhaps they were even taken aback at what they felt a "Western" should appear like.
Clint Eastwood was great but he isn't the only Western style.
And John Wayne? - that's just some really bad Western that ruined for a lot of Americans (even if they like it) what the true pioneering West looked like.
So what if they are roller skating in a western? It is a great scene, and the director's cut proves it a good movie. So many bad mouth it, because they are bored? No...boring!
Everyone who's bad mouthing this film either never saw it or only saw the crappy theatrical release cut down version. Watch the director's cut, the one that should have been released to the theaters and then decide.
In Europe, where the full version was shown, this film is considered a classic American western.
Everyone who's bad mouthing this film either never saw it or only the crappy theatrical release cut down version. Watch the director's cut, the one that should have been released to the theaters and then decide.
In Europe, where the full version was shown, this film is considered a classic American western.
The worst part of this film being a disaster is that it destroyed United Artists, one of the better run production companies in the history of Hollywood.
hey "david! what happened to my "accordion?? sounds like it was replaced with "the "harmonica! that song was an "original "cajun "song called "crowley 2 step! dump the harp! gm
It doesnt matter how many beautiful shots there are.The movie is horribly miscast(kristopherson cant lead a movie along,he just doesnt have the charisma for it,and huppert? she seems so out of place).the sound is awful,the script is worse and the editing is maybe the worst ever.Its a meandering, dull, pretentious film.Hell,the opening john hurt speech all but gives it away, at what kind of self-indulgent,boring film you are about to see.It just goes on and on,nothing,zero drama,zero tension
@TheGatorfan93 I recommend "Return of the Jhedi" to you or "Boogie Nights" for your intellectual need for action and tension.
This movie is based on real history, the Johnson Country Cattle War of 1892. I own a long suppressed copy of the original book written by a witness. This movie is about the "first" incident of a government cover-up of a government sponsored crime against its own citizens. I think this movie may have a few mistakes, but not enough to detract from it overall.
@JuanMacready ; I don't see the comment you sent me - that you wish Kristopherson would die, etc.
Your over-the-top criticisms cancel out any value for you as a serious critic. You obviously have some problems that require professional care. Get help before you go on a spree.
@TheGatorfan93 Spoken like a true sufferer of ADD. As one who has a college education and excelled in public speaking, forensics, I found the speech Hurt gives witty, well timed, and presented in an excellent voice moderation that so few actors today can match. Public speech like this ended with JFK.
I think if I had access to the raw footage of this film I could recut the film into something really special. I think there is great cinema here that has not been discovered yet. I think the film was just not given enough time in post-production to mature. I think it could be done rather cleaply 1-2$ million or 10, of course I would have to re-shoot some of the scenes and re-build some of the sets to maintain authenticity. It could be done cheap, 25$ million tops, just call my agent.
"The milieu Heaven's Gate evokes is beautiful beyond words", praise which can also be applied to David Mansfield's lovely score. Great movie. A masterpiece...
Well, the film is certainly no masterpiece, but it is filled with beauty. I wish United Artists had taken more assertive control in the editing process. Somewhere in the nearly 4 hour running time is a masterpiece trying to get out. Vilmos Zsigmond's cinematography is exquisite. Unfortunately this picture killed Cimino's career. He was such a visionary director, he just needed to be on a leash. If you give a megalomaniac artist free reign on a project, it will usually end in disaster.
Forget all that serous critical stuff. I just think the violinist has a cool hat. I want one, does any one know what the style is called and where I could get one.
Cimino, like Altman can not make a bad film. Its the uncouth American and other audiences that are far behind. All they like is cheap sensationalism. They wouldn't understand art if it hit them in the face. Though I've not seen this film, I'm sure it would be appreciated by the Europeans if only they could understand the language.
The Oscars are only dependent on mass apeal a sure sign of mediocrity.
Maybe Cimino was thinking he was going to make cuts from this scene to scenes of drama (killing) and back and forth using the music for continuity, but somehow it ended up in the movie intact, making it extremely boring.
@frantic1971 - William Brown patented a design for the wheels of the roller skate in Birmingham, England, in 1876.
I have seen 19th century roller skates for sale in antique shops in the Pacific Northwest. Don't be so sure of yourself.
As for the scene, my wife and I think it is one of the happiest scenes we'ver ever seen on film. We'd love to try the dance. But then, we met at a ballroom dance.
@frantic1971 Roller skates were invented in the 18th century and a patent was taken out in the 1870s by an Englishman. They became a rage and Saturday night skates like this were not uncommon. Notice that "average" people dressed much better than today too. Both are facts.
@deaddoc Great Grandma gave us hers from this very bar "The Occidental" in Buffalo WY, thank you for not saying stupid horse shit like most of these limp-dicked city douche bags that make up the entirety of this once free country---WYO Native--
@DManzer10 You are very welcomed indeed. This film inspired me to read up on the history of the Johnson County War. I even found a copy of the book, "The Banditti of the Plains." Many youtube posters inform of the rapidly falling intellectual quality of Americans. But others places as well.
It's incredible how bad this movie is. So much potential, an excellent story, a talented cast and crew. What happened? One of the worst films I've ever seen
@syafiqjabar Cimino definitely didn't need to spend as much or take as long to film as he did with this film. Still, no one can say he cut any corners and in movies that's saying something
@owg59 This is the one legitimate criticism of this film. The dialogues weren't developed well enough. Real damage is done by the French actress sounding so contemporary with her many casual uses of the F word. But this is also why the film is so well liked by non-English speakers; they see the film more as art and with emotional understanding, which I think is there richly.
By your comment, I can tell you know nothing of Ciminos' work. ( Deerhunter, Magnum Force, Thunderbolt andLlightfoot, Silent Running, The Dead Zone, et al). You should do some research before you run your mouth, this just makes you appear like the ignoramus that you probably are. Have a nice day!
This is a great film! To H*ll with what the billionaire press has to say. Some truth must be hidden, and a good public relations campaign can crush anything in America.
Because it went waaaaaay to far trying to make its point. If it were run through a sieve, it might make a decent movie.
The true story part....this movie was 95% fictional. The real Johnson County Wars were a footnote in history...I think two people might have been murdered over it, at most.
Good sence but waltz by Jim & Ella was even bettter.
Film slammed due to horrible ediitting and possible political motive. (The US at that time was supporting the Central American death list makers.) The uncut film 3 Hours 40 minutes is available now at Turner Classic Movies.
it is indeed the greatest movie in cinema history...and this scene here is about people, like every movie by Cimino. But not many people can understand this.
Those who haven't seen it yet - see it. Your life won't be complete till you do. If not the greeatest film ever (which it is) certainly among the top two or three. Those who don't like it, just didn't get it. David Mansfield is an immensely talented man. He wrote the music for the film - probably the best score ever. And how many of us could play a fiddle, roller skate and write beautiful music as well. Nobody's business what he is or isn't, IoSonoUomo.
I still have to see this film, but it's a shame that it had to go down in history as the ultimate flop. Granted, Cimino didn't make it easy for himself by being so obsessive and going overbudget, but the studio all but disowned the film after the premier.
I'm an opposite end person. This movie was amazing. The west as it was, dirty, corrupt, open to all, amazing, horrible, the very character of human nature seen as film. It deserves far more then it gets.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Heavens Gate was an awful awful film :( but there are some scenes like this and Christopher Walkens entrance that were really great :)
Chimino's vision was just too great, the original edit was 5 HOURS AND 25 MINUTES LONG !!!!! How he could expect anyone to sit through that I don't know, he just lost it completely, then he had to edit it all down and so the final version was a completely baffling and boring mish mash of footage that made no sense at all ! :( someone should have just fired him !
I would have loved to see the original edit. All the problems the film suffered from was caused by the editing. And what´s the problem with sitting down for 5 h and a half? "Dances with wolves" ´s director cut takes 4 hours, and - compared to "Heaven´s Gate" - it´s crap.
Love this film ... Vincent Canby was a nasty dickhead ( D.R.I.P.) ..... and this is one of the most original and raw-beautiful scenes in movie history ..... Cimino is a great artist but he doesn't appeal to cretins ....
mickigoe 6 hours ago
It was never meant to be Mass Entertainment; that's why it was panned alike by critics and viewers at the time. I reckon it's like reading some of Shakespeare to my dogs. They couldn't give two shits about what I was saying unless I inserted the word "coookieeee" now and then.
1980 was too close to the political shit of the 1970's in the national psyche. Check out what films became megahits in the 1980's and that'll give you an idea of what the Public really wanted for viewing pleasure.
bleumangue 6 days ago
Cimino's was a perfectionist. He made a perfect "historical", albeit politically slanted film, right down to the underwear, for an audience that expected more Year of the Dragon and less Shane. This film was so far ahead of its time that even now, with a cult following, many would be at a loss as to explain its drawing power.
bleumangue 6 days ago
The kid roller skating and fiddling is the one that wrote this song and music. Mansfield, what a talent.
1baud 2 weeks ago
I actually cry every time I see all the people about to be slaughtered dancing and having fun. This is a classic film and those that pan it are shortsighted.
1baud 2 weeks ago
Who could not like this? People with little reason to have fun, having fun. Wow, republicans rolling over in their graves. Wonderful, I hope they spin for eternity.
1baud 2 weeks ago
This film was one of the biggest pieces of rubbish ever made. Michael Cimino really failed as a director. Even his best films are pretty poor. The Deer Hunter is barely watchable. At least the complete nonsense of this film saved us from more big budget rubbish and it allowed him to make fairly low budget rubbish (which nobody went to see). He certainly gives Edward D Wood a good run for his money as the worst director ever.
bairns1234 3 weeks ago
@bairns1234 You asume incorrectly, and you sir are a ashole!
FLINTSTONE43214 3 weeks ago
@FLINTSTONE43214 No, I am "an asshole" but who isn't.
bairns1234 3 weeks ago
Hands down,dullest film i've ever seen.But cimino did contribute something to mankind,a cure for insomnia.What a waste,terrible cast,terrible plot.The visuals were great...until the final battle.So even its greatest feature,eventually becomes a terrible flaw.It's hard to judge what's the worst film ever made,but this one ranks right up there.One of the few times the paid critics,got it right..VERY right!
MrKUBRICKIAN 1 month ago
NO CONTEXT NEEDED.
Grafwichmann 1 month ago
This utterly brilliant, exuberant and uplifting shot thrills me every time I see it - don't be fooled by the critics' panning and its reputation: the film is one of the greatest un-sung classics. So:- thank you for posting this clip - if you hadn't, I would have got round to it myself!
ThomShelford 1 month ago
@ThomShelford An unsung classic; well you're half right; it's certainly unsung but it's only a classic as in a classic example of how not to make a film
bairns1234 3 weeks ago
you're hired
jaychuck 1 month ago
The purpose of this scene was showing community of a culture and the bonds with in...no conversation needed.
jasonoctober1973 1 month ago
@jasonoctober1973 ur hired welcome aboard
bender844 1 month ago
Forget Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers this is one of the most entertaining scenes in the movie, I smile all the way through it !
longboarder771 1 month ago 2
It's amazing how polarized people are regarding this movie. They are either full of praise saying it's an underappreciated masterpiece people lacked the ability to fully grasp, or they downright hate it and use ridiculous insults worthy of videogame playing kids.
Personally I think both extremes are wrong. I believe the film is beautifully shot and the craftmanship top class. The biggest problem is that the main story takes forever to get going, and many scenes such as this only veer off.
McLarenMercedes 2 months ago
@McLarenMercedes
I do find the many distractions needlessly long and far too many characters are hard to care about since the role they play in the story is pretty much insignificant.
The movie is far too slow. Now, I don't mind slow at all and love "Once Upon a Time in the West" and "Barry Lyndon". Sergio Leone could create an interesting scene with three gunmen saying nothing and waiting for a train and Kubrick did create tension in the duel scene in Barry Lyndon with very little happening.
McLarenMercedes 2 months ago
What a gorgeous scene. Absolutely apposite, made the film.
robbmaclean 2 months ago
Okay I know Ciminio was obessessed with details, but what role did this scene play in the overall plot of the movie again other then to be filler???
snakes3425 2 months ago
At first I was thinking "This scene isn't so bad, it's kinda neat to watch and it's filmed well, why did people hate this movie so much?" Then it just kept going, and going, with no dialogue and nothing actually happening.... this is bullshit......
humand1saster 2 months ago
I was captivated by this Film from the moment I first saw it on an obscure German TV channel (of all places)! In the 90's. Must have watched it a hundred times since. Love the story, the music, the actors. I know it's not everyones cup of tea, but I love it, especially this scene!!
gromit346 3 months ago
I loved the movie and the music...immigrants against the cattle men...true story too..buzz off haters.
MsTeaRex 4 months ago
The one great scene in an otherwise not great film.
servo90 4 months ago
The music gets on my nerves and the scene is without any interest. Doesn't give me the envy to see the film, which I have never heard of (in France).
vittoriogassman1 5 months ago
@vittoriogassman1 ...well fine...who cares what you do or not do? Stay where you are..K? sheesh
MsTeaRex 4 months ago
@alessandrosoreini u are probably the smartest person that watched this vid because it is awesome
poseidonpwnsall 5 months ago
this movie is a great movie. can't get the reason why you all hated it.
a masterpiece.
alessandrosoresini 5 months ago
@alessandrosoresini You jest
bairns1234 3 weeks ago
ALL YOU CRITICS OF HEAVENS GATE..... YOU FAIL TO UNDERSTAND THIS TRULY GREAT PIECE OF FILM. Cimino's stoy telling and realizum of this time in our country history was stupendious. It was a great movie, with great actors.
F U if you never took time to enjoy this film!!!!
FLINTSTONE43214 5 months ago 2
@FLINTSTONE43214 Yea! What you said!!
MsTeaRex 4 months ago
@FLINTSTONE43214 I assume you are joking
bairns1234 3 weeks ago
The worst thing about this movie was that it couldn't even be edited down into a shallow film for the foreign market.
MondoBeno 5 months ago
This cool to watch but it goes on and on, without advancing the story at all.
jksonny 5 months ago
Interesting scene, disastorous film.
jksonny 5 months ago
What is the piece of music he's playing? Is it famous?
MeatballsMarlowe 6 months ago
@MeatballsMarlowe Not sure what he's playing but that's the film's composer so it may be something he wrote himself.
jksonny 5 months ago
This scene is meant as a contrast to the Victorian era estrangement and isolation of the dance scene after the Harvard graduation earlier in the film. It paints an important emotional picture of the people scraping by out on the range. The rollerskating is a metaphor for the hard work it takes these people to go in circles and the joy they get out of being alive.
pcc68 7 months ago
@pcc68 It's a very, VERY long metaphor then.
SquigPie 5 months ago
@pcc68 Wyoming Native...they actually did this in the Occidental in Buffalo WY, great grandma still has the skates....good god you city folks are stupid...please dont come out here to study this...we would rather you stayed there...
DManzer10 3 months ago
@pcc68 I think you are reading too much into a pile of crap.
bairns1234 3 weeks ago
Anyone have the scene with the horse that gets blown up by dynamite?
That actually made the final cut from what I read.
mrmootheirrev 7 months ago
I loved this movie and this scene is my favorite. I'm not surprised it bombed because most people are idiots.
perking77 7 months ago
This movie must really be as bad as they say.
Stophocles 7 months ago
@Stophocles Sadly,it is.I went in wanting to like this film,but it's just impossible.The dullest,most meandering film ive ever seen.
TheGatorfan93 7 months ago
OK, Roller Skates may have existed in this time period but I don't think they were popular enough for "roller Hoedowns and/or Hootenannies".
thirteen3 9 months ago
Michael Cimino's dedication to authenticity is legendary, thirteen3, whether as a ruinous obsession or drive for perfection is a separate matter. I've heard that he even required his actors and actresses to wear the underwear of the period. That’s all I need to know to accept that this is the way people conducted themselves in Johnson County, Wyoming, in 1892. We’ve all been raised on the cowboy-and-Indian aspect of the opening of the American West, but that does not make it the WHOLE truth.
thaiguy1943 6 months ago
@thaiguy1943 His dedication to stupidity is legendary; Erich Von Stroheim did much the same thing and he was bonkers as well
bairns1234 3 weeks ago
Comment removed
DManzer10 9 months ago
Gayest scene ever!
benjameshodges 9 months ago
@benjameshodges youre a douche bag
DManzer10 9 months ago
@benjameshodges
Did the adorable fiddler/roller skater excite you and made you feel uncomfortable about yourself?
koln1996 8 months ago
i THINK IT WAS AN AWSOME MOVIE AND SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN AN OSCAR, DOES NAYONE KNOWMIF IT IS ON VIDEO
3Spikes2glry 10 months ago
@3Spikes2glry It is in the U.S....some very crappy DVD, but still available. Not sure about anywhere else.
servo90 9 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@3Spikes2glry - It was a great movie & it is on DVD, try Amazon.com
halbie71 9 months ago
This film is the possibly the biggest piece of junk ever filmed but it has damned good music.
bairns1234 11 months ago
This is quiet possibly the most underrated movie of all time....sure it's long....sure it's slow....but it ranks alongside 'There will be blood' as one of the finest character driven pieces of the western era....such a pity it slipped through the net.
captainkayos1 11 months ago 2
@captainkayos1 It didn't so much slip through as dived through and hit the bottom really hard. The film has no real story, no real heart and God only knows what it is really about.
bairns1234 2 weeks ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Die Melodie ist einfach genial...- kriegt man nicht mehr aus dem Kopf !!! >>0<<
Fenris641 1 year ago
I personally dont care for this movie either, to many long winded scenes to no payoff, this scene included. However, the beginning of this scene is awesomely shot!
TheJGoolsby 1 year ago
Für mich, einer Der Besten Gajun-Lieder überhaupt.....
For me....one of the Beste gajun-songs ever......
1.2......1.2.3.4......
MrSuperheli 1 year ago 2
TRES BEAU FILM MASSACRE PAR LA PRESSE DES USA les acteurs sont excélents le sujet également meme la version longue est superbe , la relation entre la musique des pauvres et celle des riches au début du film on ne se lasse pas de revoir ce western
facteurpins 1 year ago
Was Cimino trying to capitalize on the popularity of roller disco at the time or something? Big Lipped Alligator Moment!
babymoondancer 1 year ago
@babymoondancer I think he was using it to show how life was then and that there was a happy, community forming that love life. I thought its use was effective. It actually made me jealous of the fun of it. The magic of it was that the actors looked like they were actually having great fun.
deaddoc 10 months ago
Roller Skates were patented around 1760 (!) and the first U.S. patent actually was in 1863. So nothing wrong with roller skates & the west!
flo160 1 year ago
Comment removed
tank2449 1 year ago
@tank2449 Are you retarded? Just curious
azbacnikorange 1 year ago
@azbacnikorange No why the fuck do you ask? Is it because of my spelling? If it is i spelled it that way becuz i wus in a hurry
tank2449 1 year ago
Comment removed
lynette1953 1 year ago
@lynette1953 Except the actual Johnson County did in fact have a skating rink. So what now?
ColdBishop 1 year ago
@ColdBishop neat.
lynette1953 1 year ago
@lynette1953 Only, there was a roller rink in Johnson County where all the polish immigrants congregated. If you were trying to be a wit, you're halfway there.
thetenia 11 months ago
@thetenia neat ive heard all bout it. what did you spend time googling that just make a comment to me?
lynette1953 11 months ago
@lynette1953 No, as it wasn't exactly obscure information. Of course I'm not the one that shoots their mouth off, then looks like an idiot when shown they have no idea what they are talking about. That's just a silly way some of us have.
thetenia 11 months ago
@thetenia oh, goodness. you are just god's gift to the world. thank you for sharing. ya judgmental prick.
lynette1953 10 months ago
@lynette1953 You're welcome. Remember, it's better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than open your mouth and remove all doubt.
thetenia 10 months ago
@thetenia nice
lynette1953 10 months ago
Cimino was too full of himself when he made this movie. He needed someone to keep him grounded.
TomatoeAssassin 1 year ago
@TomatoeAssassin UA did put a ground on him, but by then it was too late.
cripplehawk 1 year ago
Wonderfully lyrical sequence. The more times I watch this film, the better it gets. There's a fully-realized world to take in and an aching sense of loss to encounter.
eddystone333 1 year ago 2
Just saw the flick for the first time and thought it was excellent. See the directors cut.
RAYMORE41 1 year ago
Brilliant,just brilliant
MrDoncos 1 year ago
super, je redécouvre ce grand western ainsi que la frimousse mutine d'Elisabeth huppert. Les autres acteurs sont évidement tous excellents.
bravo!!!
chvincent10 1 year ago
This movie was popular in Europe and shows more of how American's have pigeon-holed what a good movie should be.
And perhaps they were even taken aback at what they felt a "Western" should appear like.
Clint Eastwood was great but he isn't the only Western style.
And John Wayne? - that's just some really bad Western that ruined for a lot of Americans (even if they like it) what the true pioneering West looked like.
Rabidsenses 1 year ago
@Rabidsenses John Wayne was far better than the talentless Kristofferson and this crap movie.
JuanMacready 1 year ago
So what if they are roller skating in a western? It is a great scene, and the director's cut proves it a good movie. So many bad mouth it, because they are bored? No...boring!
neilerone 1 year ago
Fuck me. This fucking sucks.
Moredread25 1 year ago
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Everyone who's bad mouthing this film either never saw it or only saw the crappy theatrical release cut down version. Watch the director's cut, the one that should have been released to the theaters and then decide.
In Europe, where the full version was shown, this film is considered a classic American western.
pcc68 1 year ago
Everyone who's bad mouthing this film either never saw it or only the crappy theatrical release cut down version. Watch the director's cut, the one that should have been released to the theaters and then decide.
In Europe, where the full version was shown, this film is considered a classic American western.
pcc68 1 year ago
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@pcc68 This film is a piece of fucking shit.
JuanMacready 1 year ago
The worst part of this film being a disaster is that it destroyed United Artists, one of the better run production companies in the history of Hollywood.
79kassius 1 year ago 2
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White people are fucking CRAZY~
lamardarren 1 year ago
hey "david! what happened to my "accordion?? sounds like it was replaced with "the "harmonica! that song was an "original "cajun "song called "crowley 2 step! dump the harp! gm
gittar1 1 year ago
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London Bridge Roller Skating 8pm-2am each & every Friday. Bring 10 People & you get in for FREE.
SkatingRoller1 1 year ago
It doesnt matter how many beautiful shots there are.The movie is horribly miscast(kristopherson cant lead a movie along,he just doesnt have the charisma for it,and huppert? she seems so out of place).the sound is awful,the script is worse and the editing is maybe the worst ever.Its a meandering, dull, pretentious film.Hell,the opening john hurt speech all but gives it away, at what kind of self-indulgent,boring film you are about to see.It just goes on and on,nothing,zero drama,zero tension
TheGatorfan93 1 year ago
@TheGatorfan93 I recommend "Return of the Jhedi" to you or "Boogie Nights" for your intellectual need for action and tension.
This movie is based on real history, the Johnson Country Cattle War of 1892. I own a long suppressed copy of the original book written by a witness. This movie is about the "first" incident of a government cover-up of a government sponsored crime against its own citizens. I think this movie may have a few mistakes, but not enough to detract from it overall.
deaddoc 1 year ago
@deaddoc It's the worst film ever made.
JuanMacready 1 year ago
@JuanMacready ; I don't see the comment you sent me - that you wish Kristopherson would die, etc.
Your over-the-top criticisms cancel out any value for you as a serious critic. You obviously have some problems that require professional care. Get help before you go on a spree.
deaddoc 1 year ago
@TheGatorfan93 Spoken like a true sufferer of ADD. As one who has a college education and excelled in public speaking, forensics, I found the speech Hurt gives witty, well timed, and presented in an excellent voice moderation that so few actors today can match. Public speech like this ended with JFK.
deaddoc 2 months ago
I think if I had access to the raw footage of this film I could recut the film into something really special. I think there is great cinema here that has not been discovered yet. I think the film was just not given enough time in post-production to mature. I think it could be done rather cleaply 1-2$ million or 10, of course I would have to re-shoot some of the scenes and re-build some of the sets to maintain authenticity. It could be done cheap, 25$ million tops, just call my agent.
monkeyboy4746 1 year ago
wait shouldve cut out that guy at 0:10 slipping...
tristanauspride 1 year ago
"The milieu Heaven's Gate evokes is beautiful beyond words", praise which can also be applied to David Mansfield's lovely score. Great movie. A masterpiece...
danny8digit 1 year ago
The rollerskating violinist is actually David Mansfield, the composer of the soundtrack...
danny8digit 1 year ago
Fucking awful movie which rightly flopped.
JuanMacready 1 year ago
those are some bad pants the fiddler is wearing =/
alexp9999 1 year ago
Well, the film is certainly no masterpiece, but it is filled with beauty. I wish United Artists had taken more assertive control in the editing process. Somewhere in the nearly 4 hour running time is a masterpiece trying to get out. Vilmos Zsigmond's cinematography is exquisite. Unfortunately this picture killed Cimino's career. He was such a visionary director, he just needed to be on a leash. If you give a megalomaniac artist free reign on a project, it will usually end in disaster.
profholt82 1 year ago
Terrible movie.
JuanMacready 1 year ago
what's going oN WITH THE VIOLINISTS EYEBROWS!!!???????
stinkfinger9123 1 year ago
3:20 there is a camera..up on the right..
litotritore 1 year ago
The one shot where the kid is roller skating and falls, that took eight weeks to film.
AJoeProduction 1 year ago
Cimino is a HACK.
LilyPhoenix333 1 year ago
@LilyPhoenix333 lolololol
DynomyteFilms 1 year ago
What's the name of the song?
brendonfleming123456 2 years ago
'Mamou Two Step' - you can find it on the MGM soundtrack (RCD10749)
LILACTIME 2 years ago
Forget all that serous critical stuff. I just think the violinist has a cool hat. I want one, does any one know what the style is called and where I could get one.
WichardNawf 2 years ago
Cimino, like Altman can not make a bad film. Its the uncouth American and other audiences that are far behind. All they like is cheap sensationalism. They wouldn't understand art if it hit them in the face. Though I've not seen this film, I'm sure it would be appreciated by the Europeans if only they could understand the language.
The Oscars are only dependent on mass apeal a sure sign of mediocrity.
RonAlmeida 2 years ago
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You Guys Are Crazy!!!! This Movie is a MASTERPIECE of Filmaking!!!!
halbie71 2 years ago
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halbie71 2 years ago
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A fucking awful movie.
FrankClanton 2 years ago
this scene, like the film itself, just doesn't end...
drplbiftin 2 years ago 4
Maybe Cimino was thinking he was going to make cuts from this scene to scenes of drama (killing) and back and forth using the music for continuity, but somehow it ended up in the movie intact, making it extremely boring.
monkeyboy4746 2 years ago 3
This was the only part of this movie that made any sense. And even then the song played got to be repetative and dull.
SkivMarine 2 years ago 4
Yes it was repetetive and dull, but that was life in the 1870's, in America
adordunio1 2 years ago
True.
Back then it was a little harder to download tunes to your iPod.
SkivMarine 2 years ago 3
@adordunio1 Who wants reality and art? We just want cheap ignorant sensationalism. Dont you see the mass moneypulated middle class morons we are?
RonAlmeida 2 years ago
ehh....yeah.....roller skating in the Old West.
Cimino must have thought this was a sure-fire thing to get and Oscar.
frantic1971 2 years ago 11
@frantic1971 - William Brown patented a design for the wheels of the roller skate in Birmingham, England, in 1876.
I have seen 19th century roller skates for sale in antique shops in the Pacific Northwest. Don't be so sure of yourself.
As for the scene, my wife and I think it is one of the happiest scenes we'ver ever seen on film. We'd love to try the dance. But then, we met at a ballroom dance.
deaddoc 1 year ago
@frantic1971 : They DID have these roller skating dances on Saturday nites in hte "Old West" at the time this film depicts.
irishtaz44017 11 months ago
@frantic1971 Roller skates were invented in the 18th century and a patent was taken out in the 1870s by an Englishman. They became a rage and Saturday night skates like this were not uncommon. Notice that "average" people dressed much better than today too. Both are facts.
deaddoc 10 months ago
@deaddoc Great Grandma gave us hers from this very bar "The Occidental" in Buffalo WY, thank you for not saying stupid horse shit like most of these limp-dicked city douche bags that make up the entirety of this once free country---WYO Native--
DManzer10 3 months ago
@DManzer10 You are very welcomed indeed. This film inspired me to read up on the history of the Johnson County War. I even found a copy of the book, "The Banditti of the Plains." Many youtube posters inform of the rapidly falling intellectual quality of Americans. But others places as well.
deaddoc 2 months ago
It's incredible how bad this movie is. So much potential, an excellent story, a talented cast and crew. What happened? One of the worst films I've ever seen
DutchSchultz87 2 years ago
Never has a film with so much potential ended up such a steaming pile of horseshit.
DarrylXE 2 years ago
Kris Kristofferson mentioned to Ebert that the crew spent 5 days filming 25% of a sentence in the script (a dog fight). It's dedication or insanity.
syafiqjabar 2 years ago 12
@syafiqjabar Cimino definitely didn't need to spend as much or take as long to film as he did with this film. Still, no one can say he cut any corners and in movies that's saying something
eddystone333 1 year ago
@syafiqjabar The film is too long and half bored but this scene is a terrific Cajun demonstration.-Very nice,Max
max1941 11 months ago
too bad the script wasn't as good as the music.
owg59 2 years ago 5
@owg59 This is the one legitimate criticism of this film. The dialogues weren't developed well enough. Real damage is done by the French actress sounding so contemporary with her many casual uses of the F word. But this is also why the film is so well liked by non-English speakers; they see the film more as art and with emotional understanding, which I think is there richly.
deaddoc 2 months ago
One of the best "feelgood" scenes ever recorded. Michael Cimino is a genius, no matter what the critics say.
bilgeratjim 2 years ago 2
If you think he's a genius that must make you a retard.
jetulik 2 years ago
By your comment, I can tell you know nothing of Ciminos' work. ( Deerhunter, Magnum Force, Thunderbolt andLlightfoot, Silent Running, The Dead Zone, et al). You should do some research before you run your mouth, this just makes you appear like the ignoramus that you probably are. Have a nice day!
bilgeratjim 2 years ago 2
This is a great film! To H*ll with what the billionaire press has to say. Some truth must be hidden, and a good public relations campaign can crush anything in America.
bmikesci 2 years ago 6
Incredible period detail, fine cast, fine photography and based on an intriguing true story......so why does it suck ass so badly?
Why do I think that some pompous pseudo-intellectual will now yell at me for saying that.
thx291 2 years ago
No idea why. Personally, I think it could have been written with better dialogue, and story structure. Other then that, it's great.
elbethere 2 years ago
Because it went waaaaaay to far trying to make its point. If it were run through a sieve, it might make a decent movie.
The true story part....this movie was 95% fictional. The real Johnson County Wars were a footnote in history...I think two people might have been murdered over it, at most.
2ndOfficerCHL 2 years ago
Cimino did go too far. It seems he was trying to turn a (as you said) a footnote in history into "Gone with the Wind."
thx291 2 years ago 4
It sucks because it's long and boring. People walked out of this movie AT THE PREMIERE out of pure boredom.
Loodirros 2 years ago
I think jksonny has a perfect right to be wrong.
The film and this scene are incredable.
surfinjo 2 years ago 2
Good sence but waltz by Jim & Ella was even bettter.
Film slammed due to horrible ediitting and possible political motive. (The US at that time was supporting the Central American death list makers.) The uncut film 3 Hours 40 minutes is available now at Turner Classic Movies.
zzzplus6 2 years ago
The uncut version is just almost 4 hours? Yes, I said 'just' almost 4 hours long, because I could have sworn it was significantly longer.
syafiqjabar 2 years ago 2
Yes it was longer, 5 1/2 hrs long
mandala921 2 years ago 2
hehe...then buy yourself a T-shirt.. with that skater... and buy at least ten copies of thatmovie... so you can watch that crap in the afterlife...
I will save my life and time for Cohen Bross, Scorsese, Fincher, R. Scott, Luc Beson, Jean Pierre Jaunett....etc
maxpogues 2 years ago
fantastic film - fantastic scene
johnmcglinchey 2 years ago 2
this crap is the best scene in cinema history?...
are you insane?
this is good for grandmothers...
somwhere in 18 century... that never heard for nothing out of their village...
maxpogues 2 years ago
it is indeed the greatest movie in cinema history...and this scene here is about people, like every movie by Cimino. But not many people can understand this.
gabryniasz 2 years ago
aaah! my favourite scene from my favourite film of ALL time! Thank you for posting!
:-)
superduperbird 2 years ago
I loved this scene and could never figure out why this movie was considered such a bomb. I thought it was excellent.
perking77 2 years ago
hahaha, what the hell am I watching?
kensuke0 2 years ago 3
no kidding...
ZO6 2 years ago
Where this scene was shot is now a large
housing developement. I lived about 2oo
yards from where this was done in Kalispell, Montana. The movie was pretty good, but was to long. Thats why they went over budget.
appaloosaspot 2 years ago
I don't think that Heaven's Gate deserved all of the negative reception it recieved, but wow... this scene defies belief!
who3697cares 2 years ago
Those who haven't seen it yet - see it. Your life won't be complete till you do. If not the greeatest film ever (which it is) certainly among the top two or three. Those who don't like it, just didn't get it. David Mansfield is an immensely talented man. He wrote the music for the film - probably the best score ever. And how many of us could play a fiddle, roller skate and write beautiful music as well. Nobody's business what he is or isn't, IoSonoUomo.
4711blue 2 years ago 2
I still have to see this film, but it's a shame that it had to go down in history as the ultimate flop. Granted, Cimino didn't make it easy for himself by being so obsessive and going overbudget, but the studio all but disowned the film after the premier.
Fawksian21 2 years ago
the roller skating violinist is go gay.
IoSonoUomo 2 years ago
I'm an opposite end person. This movie was amazing. The west as it was, dirty, corrupt, open to all, amazing, horrible, the very character of human nature seen as film. It deserves far more then it gets.
1126thmp 2 years ago
I think so too. What a shame that the movie was not received better in the public.
aneg24 2 years ago
Thank you for posting this gem of a clip. What a horrible film -- I saw it back in 1980. This clip is a classic!!!
laurastar722 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Heavens Gate was an awful awful film :( but there are some scenes like this and Christopher Walkens entrance that were really great :)
Chimino's vision was just too great, the original edit was 5 HOURS AND 25 MINUTES LONG !!!!! How he could expect anyone to sit through that I don't know, he just lost it completely, then he had to edit it all down and so the final version was a completely baffling and boring mish mash of footage that made no sense at all ! :( someone should have just fired him !
steveN111333 2 years ago
I would have loved to see the original edit. All the problems the film suffered from was caused by the editing. And what´s the problem with sitting down for 5 h and a half? "Dances with wolves" ´s director cut takes 4 hours, and - compared to "Heaven´s Gate" - it´s crap.