[blaise]

Originally Posted by scott free

For anyone who likes a good western, you gotta see "Heavens Gate", its from 81 and i seriously cant believe i'd never even heard of it.

Its from director Michael Cimino and has a stellar cast including Kris Kristofferson in the lead, Christopher Walken, Brad Dourif, Sam Waterston, Mickey Rourke, Jeff Bridges and several character actors you've seen in 100 things.

When you hear "period drama with lavish attention to detail"... its meant to describe this film, its just extremely detailed, one of the best parts is how it gives you a real sense of just what a bustling metropolis Casper Wyoming was back in those days, its takes you into the saloons, department stores, hotels etc... incredible realism.

Its a slightly fictionalized take on the "Johnson County War" when a group called the "Stockmens Association" literally went to war against, basically, the entire town, particularly immigrants who they hated for living on land that the association wanted used as cattle pasture. They had a list of 125 people they intended to murder in cold blood, and got around to quite a few of them... all with the governor and even the presidents approval.

I wont ruin the rest of it, but seriously, if you love a great western you gotta try to find it, its part of the Criterion Collection, its freaking ridiculous that i've never seen it in a video store or on tv.

It's a famous movie because it was basically a disaster.

I'm not saying you're wrong to like it, but you should read the history of its making. It's pretty interesting.