Shooting "Days of Heaven"

This is an excerpt from an interview included on the CC edition of Terrence Malick's film Days of Heaven (1978). John Bailey was the camera operator on the film. (The DP was Nestor Almendros.) One of the most stunning looking films in the history of cinema. Large portions of the film were shot outdoors with little or no artificial light in what is called the "magic hour", the period in which sunlight gives way to night. Almendros used 50mm lens with the aperture opened to the maximum (f-1.4 and f-1). The look of the film (the emphasis on fading light) came from Malick, and it is perfectly integrated with the work's "content". This is what makes these various shots more than just "pretty" images.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Days of Heaven
• John Bailey
• Terrence Malick
• Nestor Almendros

[Chauchat7777]

Yes, my favorite film ever. thanks

[WindmillTea]

Thanks for putting this up :)

[MissFireballxl5]

Any chance of a longer clip - I don't have blu ray and there is no UK copy I can find. THanks

[creeksidejay]

It's my favorite film also. I've probably watched it 5 or 6 times, but the truth is, I couldn't even really tell you what happens, plot-wise.

For me, watching a film is simply an experience, like hearing music, or looking at a painting.

When I think of this experience, Days of Heaven, I have the most wonderful feeling.

That's why I say it's my favorite.

[ElTuco84]

The 1970's Hollywood films never stop to amaze me, definitely the greatest era in american film history.

[007LandShark]

Great movie, and thank you for posting this

[theprophet20]

@esiotrot17 Like you, I hesitated, I would say this was my personal favourite, the best movie I've ever seen, but I would always be conscious of the fact that I've only seen a fraction of all movies (and I believe I'm a lot older than you!) However, I'd be willing to bet that nothing could ever surpass its effect on me... I had an epiphany last year when I read that Malick was influenced by the German philosopher, Martin Heidegger. Ah, NOW I understand why I found Days of Heaven stunning...

[pnutbutrncrackers]

Yes, some very nice filmmaking, and a few scenes deserving of the overused descriptor "beautiful" (e.g. the wide-angle 'magic hour' shots, the wind moving the wheat around like golden water, etc.).

As a piece of drama, however, I felt it was only OK, and less than the sum of its parts. Never nearly as engrossing as "Badlands".

[tofubandito]

Beautiful

[esiotrot17]

@jclabburn It's The Criterion Collection. All Hail the Criterion Collection. :)

[jclabburn]

Thanks for posting this, excellent!

What is 'the CC edition' referred to in the description? Is that a special release?

Thanks.

[esiotrot17]

I used to say that this was my favorite movie ever, but now I'm seen more movies and I feel comfortable saying this is the BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME