Heaven's Gate (1980)
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- R
- 3h 39min
- Adventure, Drama
- 24 Apr 1981 (USA)
- Movie
During the Johnson County War in 1890 Wyoming, a sheriff born into wealth does his best to protect immigrant farmers from rich cattle interests.
Director:
Writer:
Awards:
- Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 8 nominations.
- See more »
Reviews:
Photos and Videos
Cast
| Kris Kristofferson | ... |
Averill
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| Christopher Walken | ... |
Champion
(as Chris Walken)
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| John Hurt | ... |
Irvine
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| Sam Waterston | ... |
Canton
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| Brad Dourif | ... |
Mr. Eggleston
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| Isabelle Huppert | ... |
Ella
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| Joseph Cotten | ... |
The Reverend Doctor
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| Jeff Bridges | ... |
John L. Bridges
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| Ronnie Hawkins | ... |
Wolcott
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| Paul Koslo | ... |
Mayor Lezak
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| Geoffrey Lewis | ... |
Trapper
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| Richard Masur | ... |
Cully
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Rosie Vela | ... |
Beautiful Girl
(as Roseanne Vela)
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Mary Catherine Wright | ... |
Nell
(as Mary C. Wright)
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| Nicholas Woodeson | ... |
Small Man
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Stefan Shcherby | ... |
Big Man
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Waldemar Kalinowski | ... |
Photographer
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| Terry O'Quinn | ... |
Captain Minardi
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| Jack Conley | ... |
Morrison
(as John Conley)
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Margaret Benczak | ... |
Mrs. Eggleston
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| Jim Knobeloch | ... |
Kopestonsky
(as James Knobeloch)
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Erika Petersen | ... |
Mrs. Kopestonsky
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| Robin Bartlett | ... |
Mrs. Lezak
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| Tom Noonan | ... |
Jake
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Marat Yusim | ... |
Russian Merchant
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Aivars Smits | ... |
Mr. Kovach
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Gordana Rashovich | ... |
Mrs. Kovach
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Jarlath Conroy | ... |
Mercenary in New Suit
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Allen Keller | ... |
Dudley
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| Caroline Kava | ... |
Stefka
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| Mady Kaplan | ... |
Kathia
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| Anna Thomson | ... |
Little Dot
(as Anna Levine)
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Patricia Hodges | ... |
Jessie
(as Pat Hodges)
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| Mickey Rourke | ... |
Nick Ray
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Kevin McClarnon | ... |
Arapaho Brown
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| Kai Wulff | ... |
German Merchant
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Steven Majstorovic | ... |
Czech Merchant
(as Steve Majstorovic)
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Gabriel Walsh | ... |
Zindel's Clerk
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Norton Buffalo | ... |
Private
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| Jack Blessing | ... |
Emigrant Boy
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Jerry Sullivan | ... |
Governor of Wyoming
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Jerry McGee | ... |
Heaven's Gate Band
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Cleve Dupin | ... |
Heaven's Gate Band
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Stephen Bruton | ... |
Heaven's Gate Band
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| Sean Hopper | ... |
Heaven's Gate Band
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| David Mansfield | ... |
Heaven's Gate Band
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| T Bone Burnett | ... |
Heaven's Gate Band
(as T-Bone Burnett)
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| David S. Cass Sr. | ... |
Moustached Mercenary
(as David Cass)
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| Paul D'Amato | ... |
Bearded Mercenary
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Peter Osusky | ... |
Peter
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Ivan Kormanik | ... |
Ivan
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Michael Christensen | ... |
Juggler
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Anatoli Davydov | ... |
Fighting Bulgarian Emigrant
(as Anatoly Davydov)
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Nina Gaidarova | ... |
Bulgarian Emigrant's Wife
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Wally McCleskey | ... |
Chicken Fighter
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Gary Vezane | ... |
Canton's Bodyguard
(as Gary 'Buzz' Vezane)
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H.P. Evetts | ... |
Wolcott's Bodyguard
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Bruce Morgan | ... |
Miner (Mercenary)
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Bobby Faber | ... |
Class Marshal (Harvard)
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Judi Trott | ... |
Irvine's Girl Friend
(as Judi Trot)
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Steve Holbrook | ... |
Young mercenary
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| Sam Peckinpah | ... |
Hangman (scenesDeleted)
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| Loyd Catlett | ... |
Morrison's Sentry (uncredited)
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Mark Chapman | ... |
Charles (uncredited)
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| Willem Dafoe | ... |
Willy (uncredited)
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| Juli Erickson | ... |
Refugee (uncredited)
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Les Gapay | ... |
Extra (uncredited)
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| Ian Hislop | ... |
Bit Part - Graduation Scene (uncredited)
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Barrie Holland | ... |
Policeman (uncredited)
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Al Nazario Hunter | ... |
Regulator (uncredited)
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Lincoln Hurst | ... |
Harvard Undergraduate (uncredited)
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David Lewis | ... |
Extra (uncredited)
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| Sollace Mitchell | ... |
Graduating Student (uncredited)
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| Norbert Weisser | ... |
Immigrant (uncredited)
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Eric Wood | ... |
Immigrant (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Michael Cimino | ||
Written by
| Michael Cimino | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Joann Carelli | ... | producer |
| Denis O'Dell | ... | executive producer |
| Charles Okun | ... | executive producer |
Music by
| David Mansfield | ||
Cinematography by
| Vilmos Zsigmond | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Lisa Fruchtman | ||
| Gerald B. Greenberg | ... | (as Gerald Greenberg) |
| William Reynolds | ||
| Tom Rolf | ||
Editorial Department
| Donah Bassett | ... | negative cutter |
| Melissa Bretherton | ... | assistant editor (as Mellissa Bretherton) |
| Neil Farrell | ... | assistant editor |
| Barbara Gandolfo-Frady | ... | assistant editor |
| Aubrey Head | ... | color timer |
| Harry Peck Bolles | ... | apprentice editor |
| Michael E. Polakow | ... | assistant editor |
| Michael Ripps | ... | assistant editor |
| Ralph Sandler | ... | assistant film editor |
| Penelope Shaw | ... | assistant editor |
| José Antonio Torres | ... | assistant film editor (as Jose Torres) |
Casting By
| Cis Corman | ||
| Tony Gaznick | ||
| Jane Hallaren | ... | (as Jane Halloran) |
Production Design by
| Tambi Larsen | ||
Art Direction by
| Spencer Deverell | ... | (as Spencer Deverill) |
| Maurice Fowler | ||
Set Decoration by
| James L. Berkey | ... | (as Jim Berkey) |
| Josie MacAvin | ||
Costume Design by
| J. Allen Highfill | ... | (as Allen Highfill) |
Makeup Department
| Christine Allsopp | ... | makeup artist: dailies, UK |
| Thomas R. Burman | ... | special makeup effects artist (as Tom Burman) |
| Verne Caruso | ... | hair stylist (as Vern Caruso) |
| Ken Chase | ... | makeup artist |
| Tom Hoerber | ... | makeup artist (as Thomas A. Hoerber) |
| Mary Keats | ... | hair stylist |
| Ben Nye | ... | makeup artist |
| Jerry O'Dell | ... | makeup artist (as Gerald W. O'Dell) |
| Connie Reeve | ... | daily makeup artist uk |
| Ken Diaz | ... | makeup artist (uncredited) |
Production Management
| Robert Grand | ... | production manager (as Bob Grand) |
| Denis O'Dell | ... | production manager (as Dennis O'Dell) |
| Charles Okun | ... | production manager |
| Peter Price | ... | production manager |
| William Reynolds | ... | executive in charge of post-production |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Andy Armstrong | ... | second assistant director |
| Dennis Capps | ... | second assistant director |
| Brian W. Cook | ... | assistant director (as Brian Cook) |
| Richard Graves | ... | second assistant director |
| Michael Grillo | ... | assistant director |
| Duncan Henderson | ... | dga trainee |
| Terry Needham | ... | second assistant director |
| Michael Stevenson | ... | second assistant director |
| Ken Tuohy | ... | second assistant director |
Art Department
| Ragnar Antonsen | ... | drapery foreman |
| Gus Basso | ... | greensman |
| Joseph D. Brady | ... | construction foreman |
| Carmine Goglia | ... | stand-by painter |
| Jaymes Hinkle | ... | scenic sign painter (as Jimmy J. Hinkle) |
| Dick Kyker | ... | property master |
| Maurice Larson | ... | sign painter gang boss |
| Nancy Mickelberry | ... | set designer |
| James F. Orendorff | ... | construction coordinator (as James Orendorff) |
| David Q. Quick | ... | assistant property master (as David Quick) |
| Rudy Reachi | ... | assistant property master (as Rodolfo Reachi) |
| Bob Sherwood | ... | stand-by propman |
| Alan Sims | ... | assistant property master / lead man |
| Robert J. Visciglia Sr. | ... | property master (as Robert Visciglia) |
| James T. Woods | ... | painter gang boss |
| Bill Gold | ... | poster designer (uncredited) |
| Tom Jung | ... | poster designer (uncredited) |
| William Ladd Skinner | ... | set designer (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Richard Adams | ... | sound editor (as Richard W. Adams) |
| Donald A. Bolger | ... | boom operator (as Don Bolger) |
| Charles J. Bond | ... | cable person (as Charles Bond) |
| Arthur Carelli | ... | cable person |
| Ken Dufva | ... | foley artist |
| Michael Jablow | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Chris Jenkins | ... | re-recording mixer |
| James J. Klinger | ... | supervising sound editor |
| Jas. Klinger | ... | assistant sound editor |
| C. Darin Knight | ... | sound mixer (as Darin Knight) |
| Robert Knudson | ... | re-recording mixer (as Buzz Knudsen) |
| Skip Macdonald | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Don MacDougall | ... | re-recording mixer (as Don Mac Dougall) |
| Tom C. McCarthy | ... | sound editor (as Tom McCarthy) |
| Gene Radzik | ... | stereo sound consultant: Dolby: 2004 5.1 update |
| Winston Ryder | ... | sound editor |
| Curt Schulkey | ... | sound editor |
| Jonathan Andrews | ... | sound liason (uncredited) |
| Robert Davenport | ... | dubbing recordist (uncredited) |
| Malcolm Davies | ... | sound (uncredited) |
| Robin Haskins | ... | re-recordist (uncredited) |
| Richard Portman | ... | re-recording mixer (uncredited) |
| Dan Sharp | ... | sound re-recordist (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| James Camomile | ... | special effects (as Jim Camomile) |
| Stan Parks | ... | special effects |
| Ken Pepiot | ... | special effects |
| Samuel E. Price | ... | special effects (as Sam Price) |
| Kevin Quibell | ... | special effects |
| Paul Stewart | ... | special effects |
Stunts
| Debbie Evans | ... | stunts |
| Buddy Van Horn | ... | stunt coordinator |
| William H. Burton | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Hank Calia | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| David S. Cass Sr. | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Loyd Catlett | ... | stunt double: Jeff Bridges (uncredited) / stunts (uncredited) |
| Tom Elliott | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| H.P. Evetts | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Joe Finnegan | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Alan Gibbs | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Bill Hart | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Billy Hank Hooker | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Leroy Johnson | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| George Orrison | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Larry Randles | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Walter Scott | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Buddy Van Horn | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Chuck Waters | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Tony Cridlin | ... | key grip |
| Ray De La Motte | ... | camera operator |
| Dick Deats | ... | key grip (as Richard Deats) |
| Doug DiGioia | ... | camera operator (as Doug DiGoia) |
| Eric Engler | ... | assistant camera |
| Jeff Gershman | ... | camera operator (as Jeff Gerhsman) |
| Michael Gershman | ... | assistant camera |
| Paul Gilbert | ... | camera operator |
| Ernst Haas | ... | still photographer |
| John Harris | ... | camera operator |
| Lee Heckler | ... | gaffer |
| John Hull | ... | grip |
| Jan Kiesser | ... | camera operator |
| Kyle T. MacDowell | ... | grip |
| Ken Miller | ... | best boy grip |
| Louis Niemeyer | ... | assistant camera |
| Ken Nishino | ... | assistant camera |
| László Pal | ... | additional camera operator |
| Kelvin Pike | ... | camera operator |
| Paul M. Pollard | ... | camera operator (as Paul Pollard) |
| László Regos | ... | camera operator (as Laszlo Regos) |
| Joseph D. Steuben | ... | camera operator (as Joseph Steuben) |
| Jenny Thomson | ... | camera operator: "b" camera, second unit |
Casting Department
| Pam Caper | ... | casting associate |
| Jim Comfort | ... | extras casting assistant |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Beth Alexander | ... | costumer |
| Sandy Berke Jordan | ... | costumer: women (as Sandy Berke) |
| James P. Cullen | ... | costumer |
| Barry Francis Delaney | ... | costumer (as Barry Delaney) |
| Claudia Everett | ... | wardrobe assistant |
| Lisa M. Lewis | ... | wardrobe |
| Frimi Okun | ... | costumer |
| Laurie Riley | ... | costumer: men |
Location Management
| Alan B. Curtiss | ... | location manager |
| Joe Stanley | ... | location manager |
Music Department
| Joann Carelli | ... | music supervisor |
| William Saracino | ... | music editor (as Bill Saracino) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Sally Jones | ... | script supervisor |
| June Samson | ... | script supervisor |
| Natalie Drache | ... | script supervisor (uncredited) |
Transportation Department
| Gene R. Johnson | ... | transportation coordinator (as Gene Johnson) |
Additional Crew
| Ted Albert | ... | unit publicist |
| Bryan Buchanan | ... | lead stand-in |
| Kim Burke | ... | wrangler |
| Eleanor Fazan | ... | choreographer |
| Wayne Fitzgerald | ... | title designer |
| Joy Helman | ... | unit publicist: UK |
| Scott Hough | ... | production assistant |
| Lynda Karjola | ... | production coordinator |
| Alex Matcham | ... | assistant accountant |
| Patty Nelson | ... | secretary: Mr. Cimino |
| Gene O'Brien | ... | wrangler (as Gene O'Brian) |
| Fred O'Dell | ... | wrangler (as Freddie O'Dell) |
| Betty Owens | ... | assistant production accountant |
| Sally Pardo | ... | production assistant |
| Ellen Ribner | ... | researcher |
| Dominic Santarone | ... | caterer |
| Ruth Santarone | ... | caterer |
| Tom Seidman | ... | assistant trainee (as Thomas Seidman) |
| Nanette Siegert | ... | production coordinator |
| William Snyder | ... | production assistant |
| Tad Tadlock | ... | additional choreographer |
| Ann Tait | ... | production controller (as Anne M. Tait) |
| Bill Twaddle | ... | wrangler |
| Rudy Ugland | ... | boss wrangler |
| Robert Weinstein | ... | researcher |
| Jerry Young | ... | wrangler |
Production Companies
Distributors
- United Artists (1980) (United States) (theatrical)
- Les Artistes Associés (1981) (France) (theatrical)
- United Artists (A-Asia) (1981) (Australia) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1981) (Argentina) (theatrical) (as Artistas Unidos)
- United Artists (1981) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1981) (Japan) (theatrical)
- C.B. Films S.A. (1981) (Spain) (theatrical)
- Kommunenes Filmcentral (KF) (1981) (Norway) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1981) (Finland) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1981) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- United Artists Corporation (1982) (India) (theatrical)
- Zvezda Film (1982) (Yugoslavia) (theatrical)
- MGM Home Entertainment (1983) (Canada) (VHS)
- MGM Home Entertainment (1983) (United States) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1983) (Australia) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1983) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- United Artists (1984) (Sweden) (theatrical) (extended version)
- Tobis (1985) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (1985) (Finland) (tv)
- Scanvideo (1980) (Finland) (VHS)
- Audio Visual Enterprises (1990) (Greece) (VHS)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (1993) (Finland) (tv)
- MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1996) (United States) (VHS)
- Chapel Distribution (1997) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Image Entertainment (1997) (United States) (video) (LaserDisc)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2000) (Canada) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2000) (Germany) (VHS)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2000) (United States) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2001) (Germany) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2003) (Germany) (DVD)
- Chapel Distribution (2004) (Australia) (theatrical) (re-release director's cut new 35mm print)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2007) (United States) (DVD)
- The Criterion Collection (2012) (United States) (DVD)
- The Criterion Collection (2012) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD) (director's cut)
- Carlotta Films (2013) (France) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Capelight Pictures (2018) (Germany) (DVD)
- Capelight Pictures (2018) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- United Artists Europa (1981) (Italy) (theatrical)
- The Criterion Channel (2023) (United States) (tv) (streaming)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Cannes Film Festival (festival)
- Crest Digital (post-production)
- Lee Lighting (grip and lighting equipment)
- MGM/UA Home Entertainment (VHS package design)
- Montana Film Office (special thanks)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
In 1890 Wyoming, James Averill is the Sheriff of Johnson County, which is largely inhabited by foreign immigrants. The wealthy cattle owners view the immigrant farmers as a nuisance and hindrance to them enlarging their own land. The cattlemen's association, the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, effectively declares war on the immigrant farmers and gets the state government's blessing. They assemble an army of guns-for-hire and, backed by the U.S. Cavalry, set out to rid the state of the immigrants. James Averill's heart is with the immigrants, but he doesn't think they have a chance of winning the inevitable war. Written by grantss |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | What one loves about life are the things that fade. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
| Also Known As |
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Box Office
| Budget | $44,000,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United States | $12,032, 19 Nov 1980 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | This movie is notorious for the amount of animal abuse that took place during production, including real cockfights and decapitated chickens. Horses were tortured, and at least four died. The outcry prompted the Screen Actors Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers to contractually authorize the American Humane Society to monitor the use of all animals in all filmed media. See more » |
| Goofs | Despite music and a yard full of waltzing couples, several 360-degree panning shots at the Harvard commencement ball show that there is no orchestra. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into Gli ultimi giorni dell'umanità (2022). See more » |
| Soundtracks | "Mamou Two-Step' See more » |
| Quotes |
Frank Canton:
Mr. Champion, my grandfather was the Secretary of War to Harrison. His brother was the governor of the state of New York. My brother-in-law is Secretary of State. And to you, I represent the full authority of the government of the United States and the President. Nathan D. Champion: Fuck him too. Billy Irvine: Bravo, sir! See more » |