Days of Heaven

[prashanthnayak83]

agree with ymg.. and the other commenters. Sundroid- i've watched this video scores of times n you deserve rich praise for designing such a sublime tribute to this masterpiece...the movie's opening sequence is another audio-visual slice of heaven,,when i think of films that can stand up to the power of "Godfather" in terms of cinematic value, this masterwork from the same decade floats to mind...tc

[TQmatt]

Lovely. Just lovely.

[mucalinda]

Love this film. I also love the accent of the girl who does the voice-over. She's meant to be from Chicago but it sounds a bit New York to me (I'm British ). Does anyone know where the accent comes from?.

[sundroid]

@mucalinda You are very keen. Linda Manz, who plays the little girl in the film in her first-ever film role, was born in New York City in 1961. Yeah, she is 49 now, but the magic of cinema freezes her youthful images forever.

[mucalinda]

@sundroid Thanks for the info. It's one of my favourite films of all time and I think she brought an innocent pathos to the film. Funny to think she's 49 now.

[MatRobbins]

@sundroid I'd not be surprised if they actually went through the effort to recreate an early 20th century accent. The accent sounds neither pure modern Chicaga' (as she pronounces it) or NYC to me. I'm half-Brit and half-Yank (my Yank half being from Chicago). It just adds to the perfection in the detail of this amazing film. Like the fact they used recycled second-hand clothes rather than have new studio-ones made, to make sure they looked authentic.

[jbborden111]

@sundroid I loved this movie and Manz's gruff voice overs. Her voice and the twilight filming has made this one of my top films. And I only saw it for the first time today-11/25/10. I decided to see this after hearing Rain Wilson's interview on NPR description. This is truly an epic film.

[TheUmmwhatever]

I've cried in many films.. but this film did something to me that is just so unexplainable. I've never connected to a film, like I have with Days of Heaven.

[lisa1gas]

such a great movie....one of my top 10....

[govpavlicek]

Music that sends shivers down my spine. The story is sad with all characters well chosen. I got the Criterion version for my birthday and it is difficult not to watch it over and over again. Just every now and then, may be years in between, just like excellent that becomes normal if you drink it too often. Best picture I ever saw in its genre.

[steinerredeemed]

I have seen this film at least 30 times. I never tire of it or its music.

[snakehissken]

I kid you not when I saw that 3-4 second clip of that train crossing the trestle in Days of Heaven my jaw dropped and I knew this was no ordinary director.

[kunam88]

one of the most beautiful score ever !

[mickindanny]

Yes, it's one of my favorites. Beautifully showcased here.

[cindyinnew]

No matter how much time passes, I always come back to this film. The cinematograpyhy, the music, the characters.  It is simply beautiful.

[arimababy]

I love this movie too. The cinematography is freakin' AWESOME!! love the music too.

[Ymgnawdoliad]

If I were stranded on a desert isle, this is the one movie I'd like to have with me. Ever since I first saw it over 25 years ago it has profoundly moved me. Never has a film so evoked for me something of the transcendent and ineffable.

[theprophet20]

Yes, I saw it on television one night many years ago and found it so stunning, I couldn't stop thinking about it for days afterwards...

Reluctant as I would be to name my most favourite movie, but if I were pressed, then I would have to say that without a doubt, "Days of Heaven" is, in my humble opinion, the greatest movie of them all, it's almost transcendent.

A story of tragic human affairs, combine with landscape, history and theme music to blend into haunting harmony...

[thejobloshow]

The score to this film is really underrated - perhaps deservingly overshadowed by the incredible cinematography. However, I still cringe when people think the opening theme is Harry Potter.

[MeLikeGuns]

Am I wrong to say that I like this better than Saint-Saens' Aquarium?

[psychicchick]

Maybe. Lol. But seriously I know what you mean. I listened to the Saint-Saens after, couldnt wait and there was always a little missing. Maybe the images of this film do that! & Thanks sundroid!!

[meladorimagpie]

I just bought this film on a whim and watched it for the first time. I thought it was beautiful.

[mmedefarge]

I never tire of seeing it. It's a keeper.

[TheScumfrog]

Which version is on the Benjamin Button trailer?

[ruracinme50]

Saw it many, many years ago. I'd forgotten the incredible score.

[FigurinItOut]

I enjoyed "Days of Heaven" but was more blown away by "Badlands."

Brook Adams looks so uniquely beautiful in the film.

I wish I could see it on the big screen. The scenery is amazing.

[Chradnev]

'Badlands' and 'Days of Heaven' are very impressive on the big screen. If a revival pops up near you, make sure to get to it!

I just wish I'd seen Malick's two newer films in cinemas.

[makavelimavi]

Was this written by Ennio M. This song is famous. Was it written originally for this film?

[steinerredeemed]

The score is by Morricone. No traditional was credited as the basis for this theme.

[enkiduudikne]

Practically the entire score for this film is a set of variations on a theme by Camille Saint-Saens called "The Aquarium" from CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS. The original theme is heard several times throughout the film, but is most prominent under the opening credits where it is played in its entirety.

[mamasuso]

I MEANT, I purchased the cd of the music, not the dvd. However, it came from Italy and is mixed with 2 mules for Sister Sarah, which is better than nothing. And...the Aquarian music from Carnival of the Animals was not included. still the music of Ennio Morricone is hautingly beautiful.

[Mimameior]

Terence Malick and Ennio Morricone are both poets of the cinema... Days of Heaven is one of the most beautiful films ever made...

I wish this video was longer!

[mamasuso]

Amen. It took me numerous years (from the 80's to 1.5 yrs ago) to track down a dvd of this magnificent music. Needless to say, the visuals are breathtaking.

[cindyinnew]

Terence Malick is so appreciated by his fellow artists, directors and actors, and also by critics but the movie going public doesn't know what it's missing. To see a Terence Malick movie is a to experience something otherworldly.

[Mimameior]

Exactly, but Terence Malick doesn't use hyper-active editing, and explosions every odd minute, in order to grab attention. His films are far more meditative. Don't forget that he's originally a philosopher!

I agree, though - 'tis a shame he's not more popular.

[amandalee7747]

My all time fave film, have the soundtrack LP which is unreal. What an undersppreciated masterpiece.

[mamasuso]

I wonder why they havent distributed a dvd in the U.S. since the music Morricone won an Oscar for this music.

[amandalee7747]

And cinematography too, I believe. I BELIEVE? correct me if I am wrong.. anyone?

[mamasuso]

DEFINITELY cinematography. Glorious doesnt begin to describe this film.

[amandalee7747]

I'm a little confused, do you have whatyou are looking for then, b/c I have the LP! Issued in 1978, it sounds like it has a few different things inc. "Swamp Dance" by Doug Kershaw '74 and "Enderlin" by Leo Kottke '78 and an audio clip from the film from Linda Manz - the litle girl, does your CD inc. these?

[mamasuso]

I dont have all that. I am at work now and not privy to viewing that particular cd and all that is on it. one thing i do know, Two Mules for Sister Sarah is not my thing. I will check when I get home to see the details of what is on it. I remember googling and being led to this cd - however inadequate. But it is better than nothing since the music is so haunting. thanks.

[theprophet20]

I agree! I am the same age as you - and if I had to nominate one movie as unquestionably the best that I have seen in my entire life, it would be - "Days of Heaven". I was thunderstruck by everything about it...

[Bolluga]

Yeah, I got the same CD with the Two Mules for Sister Sara soundtrack on it as well - it has most of Morricone's score for Days of Heaven, but there are still some parts missing. Did Morricone win an Oscar for his score - or was he only nominated for it?

[mamasuso]

He was nominated. Heavenly music isnt it?

[mamasuso]

One of my favorite pieces is the music from Saint Saens "Carnival of the Animals" - specifically, Aquarium. Search for this in youtube and the one from Classicartshowcase is great. This piece of music I really missed from my Days of Heaven cd.

[levanyzzuf]

Morricone didn't win an Oscar for this, and never has won. They've given him a honorary lifetime achievement thing, but he's never won an Academy Award for his music.

[mamasuso]

I saw the Academy Awards and saw that honorary achievement. I loved it when they played snippets of clips with the accompanying music which showed how great and versatile his career has been over the years.

[Malocosa]

This movie is special to me because my grandparents lived this life in Wyoming, Montana, the Dakotas, Texas and Oklahoma doing the same thankless work, but surrounded by the beautiful country that surrounded them. My Grandma always described the beauty of the land and never complained about her life.

That tells you something.

[cindyinnew]

Yes it does Malcosa. People back then knew the meaning of hard work and appreciated what they had and had respect for the beauty around them. You are proud of your grandmother as you should be.

[amer8juneidi]

Its not the first of its kind if u mean the recording and the editing things, i know Malick spent 2 years editing this movie, but i think the godfather is the first of its kind, the godfather is a movie that changed eveyrthing about cinema..

[ridgewoodart]

This movie is by far one of the most visually beautiful films I have ever seen. The shots of the sunrises, sunsets, the textures, lighting, ahhh! so wonderful! I see something new every time I watch this film. Splendid!

[Dmanb24eva]

i agree, there is nothing more beautiful than this film. it was the first of it's kind(i guess) that i've ever seen, gere was perfect for this spot, and I always put it down because i'm not that much of a gere man, but wow. Beautiful, intelligent, Malick is a true genious and in my opinion one of the best directors I've ever watched/seen/known.

[rrpower]

I hated this on my first viewing, but I feel a second viewing is in place. I think I just set my expectations FAR too high, and was expecting a different movie altogether.

[theprophet20]

Unfortunately this sometimes happens - one's expectations are set too high and an inevitable disappointment can set in. However I have to say that if I were asked to nominate the best movie I had ever seen in my life, it would be this - see epictetus89's comments below in a similar vein.

[phoodphite]

In case anyone is interested, the name of the piece playing here is "Harvest". Very difficult to get the original songs from this anymore. The entire soundtrack is great. How does someone write over 400 film scores in a lifetime?? (And most of them working with a live musicians!)

[margishench]

thankyou for this review....i have been going daft trying to find out the name of this piece of music.

and as to buying it, the hunt continues....

[phoodphite]

What a combo of genius - Malick and Morricone. When I first saw ths film, I didn't know anything about either of them. I went to the theater five more times to see this film. That has not happened before or since (I only saw Rocky Horror once).

[epictetus89]

The saddest and the most beautiful (and mysterious and poetic and philosophical and despairing and religious and inexhaustible-let's just say the best) movie there is.

[theprophet20]

Like you, I was deeply touched by this movie. I first saw it on television and subsequently saw it in a movie theatre, but how I wish it had been the other way around. I found it stunning and haunting and without question in my opinion the most beautiful movie ever made...

[mbeals47]

Great looking movie. Lacked substance to entertain me. And no I'm not some idiot who doesn't understand the religious implications of this film. Locusts, fire, ect. Yes the symbols are apparent. But come on Richard Gere? I guess I should have seen this before he was known for an Officer and a Gentlemen and Pretty Woman.

[Losemyillusions]

He's actually perfect in that masterpiece. I'm not a fan of that guy (really not), but he's been good in some movies: Yanks, Looking for Mr. Goodbar, American gigolo...and too bad he didn't try to explore his "bad side": he was pretty good in Internal affairs, I think...

[barbarianeradicator]

... beautiful sequence of images set against the backdrop of Morricone's (if it was all his.. as I know some of it wasn't) music... I don't like to seem greedy, but does anyone out there have the opening scenes of this film where a number of sepia stills were set against Saint-Saens' "The Aquarium"...?

[al1432]

Great theme. Moody and mysterious. Love it. You can hear where it derives from in Tschaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet", last few minutes of the piece (last 2 or 3 min).

[sassym]

Every scene could be a painting. :)

[DCBadger]

Eye candy implies a lack of other attributes. This movie was a classic. Oh man, the locust sequence? Oooh man.

[gaetanche]

Un excellent montage vidéo avec la musique remarqualbe d'Ennio Morricone.

[yhinau]

great thanks - although the music is based on Saint-Seans Carnival des Animaux

[al1432]

tschaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet" (see below)

[al1432]

You're right..."Aquarium" from Carnival des Animaux, I just listened to it to check. It also has the Tschaikovsky theme, though. Interesting.

[patna]

good work! saludos sundroid.

[Duskdancer]

Malick makes unbelievably beautiful films. Wonderful montage.

[apeneckfletcher]

there's nothing wrong with eye candy, or haven't you heard "it's better to look good, dahling, than to feel good"? van gogh is so used as a reference nowadays, and yet hardly got a penny while alive. did malick lean on his imagery a little in this film?

[al1432]

Everyone leans on everyone else. Mozart leaned on Haydn and Beethoven leaned on Mozart. Einstein leaned on Maxwell. Newton said "If I have seen farther than other men, it is because I have stood on Descarte's shoulders".

[al1432]

Sorry, I got that quote wrong. In his History of Mathematics Carl Boyer quotes Newton writing to Hooke: "If I have seen farther than Descartes, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants."

[serioussam6]

Morricone is a genius. Very cool montage.

[thevoid99]

That's my favorite film by Malick.