Why is this rated R, where can I find this film in what version and I have heard that many people hated this film and was counted as one of the worst films of all time, why?
@moviedudeinc It was rated R chiefly for its realistically brutal violence, but also for some nudity. When the film went into production its writer-director had just won a number of Oscars for "The Deer Hunter", and expectations for high for a film of equal acclaim. However it went over schedule immediately and the budget rose from $11 million to finally close to $44 million - an astronomical sum in 1980. Its initial running time was over 5 hours, then cut to 219 minutes. Critics hated it
@robatsea2009 when was first shown, and the film was withdrawn and re-edited to 149 minutes. That failed too, earning only something like $3 million. The effect of this was it destroyed United Artists and ruined writer-director Michael Cimino's career. The film was restored to its 219 minute length for video and is on DVD from MGM at that length, and has been shown on TCM. In recent years many critics & fans have re-evaluated the film, and while some still hate it others greatly admire it.
This is great. Amazing how good the recording is for an old beta tape. I love the old movie trailers, especially for a notorious movie like this. Thanks for posting.
I have this DVD, all three hours and 39 minutes of it and, let me tell you: everything you've heard about "Heaven's Gate" is TRUE.
What an absolutely wonderful treasure - my dream copy of this on DVD would have the movie, this ad , the documentary "Final Cut: The Making and Unmaking of Heaven's Gate" and a full-length commentary by Big Mike.
The drum roll at 0:21, just as the title comes up, kind of sounds like the drum roll they play just before the firing squad shoots the condemned prisoner.
My goodness - this is one of those "Holy Grail" of movie trailers. It's not that it is just a trailer for a notorious bomb, but this trailer is advertising the very engagement that was not to be - because the film was pulled right after the disasterous New York premiere and the 3 hour and 40 minute version never played the Plitt Century Plaza......wow. What a find. Thanks for posting......
I was in college in 1980, and I recall looking in the LA Times and seeing the Heaven's Gate ad -- it said Engagement Postponed. I knew that something like that was unprecedented, especially for such a high profile movie. It was supposed to open a week or so after Raging Bull, but the rest is history.
@JohnKoroly The Plitt Century Plaza twin(later a four screener in the mid '80s)was located in the ABC Entertainment Center in Century City. It was THE place(other than Westwood)for major Hollywood premieres. it closed a few years and is now a hotel. In fact,the entire complex(including a Shubert theatre)was demolished for high rise office buildings
Yes!!!
This is the original Cimino's very own advertisement!!!
UA hadn't seen it in advance, or was even asked if they liked it!!! They were forced to approve it!!!
koln1996 2 days ago
Why is this rated R, where can I find this film in what version and I have heard that many people hated this film and was counted as one of the worst films of all time, why?
moviedudeinc 5 months ago
@moviedudeinc It was rated R chiefly for its realistically brutal violence, but also for some nudity. When the film went into production its writer-director had just won a number of Oscars for "The Deer Hunter", and expectations for high for a film of equal acclaim. However it went over schedule immediately and the budget rose from $11 million to finally close to $44 million - an astronomical sum in 1980. Its initial running time was over 5 hours, then cut to 219 minutes. Critics hated it
robatsea2009 5 months ago
@robatsea2009 when was first shown, and the film was withdrawn and re-edited to 149 minutes. That failed too, earning only something like $3 million. The effect of this was it destroyed United Artists and ruined writer-director Michael Cimino's career. The film was restored to its 219 minute length for video and is on DVD from MGM at that length, and has been shown on TCM. In recent years many critics & fans have re-evaluated the film, and while some still hate it others greatly admire it.
robatsea2009 5 months ago
This is great. Amazing how good the recording is for an old beta tape. I love the old movie trailers, especially for a notorious movie like this. Thanks for posting.
creeg84 8 months ago
I have this DVD, all three hours and 39 minutes of it and, let me tell you: everything you've heard about "Heaven's Gate" is TRUE.
What an absolutely wonderful treasure - my dream copy of this on DVD would have the movie, this ad , the documentary "Final Cut: The Making and Unmaking of Heaven's Gate" and a full-length commentary by Big Mike.
The drum roll at 0:21, just as the title comes up, kind of sounds like the drum roll they play just before the firing squad shoots the condemned prisoner.
floppy2121 9 months ago
@floppy2121 No offense, but that does sound like a dream, given that Cimino rarely talks about this movie.
Regardless, I'm amazed that this ad still exists in ANY format.
jngr1 8 months ago
My goodness - this is one of those "Holy Grail" of movie trailers. It's not that it is just a trailer for a notorious bomb, but this trailer is advertising the very engagement that was not to be - because the film was pulled right after the disasterous New York premiere and the 3 hour and 40 minute version never played the Plitt Century Plaza......wow. What a find. Thanks for posting......
flmlvr 9 months ago
how did you get this?
Doom2012Today 11 months ago
@Doom2012Today found on a vintage Beta recording
robatsea2009 11 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
This is the movie that no one went to see.
usa02 1 year ago
Comment removed
usa02 1 year ago
I was in college in 1980, and I recall looking in the LA Times and seeing the Heaven's Gate ad -- it said Engagement Postponed. I knew that something like that was unprecedented, especially for such a high profile movie. It was supposed to open a week or so after Raging Bull, but the rest is history.
fluffer1987 1 year ago
this is waaay better than the movie.
bo31411 1 year ago
What a rare teaser for the movie that destroyed United Artists in 1981.
yogafan6500 1 year ago
Nice find!
It's in Los Angeles, btw.
JBarg25 2 years ago
Thanks for posting. I remember those "reserved tickets" when it opened in NYC. (Where in hell is Plitt, anyway?)
JohnKoroly 2 years ago
@JohnKoroly The Plitt Century Plaza twin(later a four screener in the mid '80s)was located in the ABC Entertainment Center in Century City. It was THE place(other than Westwood)for major Hollywood premieres. it closed a few years and is now a hotel. In fact,the entire complex(including a Shubert theatre)was demolished for high rise office buildings
rickjr37 1 year ago
Wow. Thanks muchly.
jemimakahn 2 years ago
Excellent job, rob! How the heck did you find this? Keep up the good work!
ExistentialAuteur 2 years ago
Fantastic to see such rare material... Thank you!
ViddyKJB 2 years ago