Streaming Today: The Most Megalomaniacal Western Ever That Lost Millions, Ended an Entire Era, and Is Now Celebrated as a Masterpiece – Film News

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There are flaws that remain on everyone’s lips for months. But there is one film whose failure destroyed an entire film studio, banned Westerns from theaters, and ushered in a new era in Hollywood that placed strict limits on a director’s megalomania.

It’s Heaven’s Gate, which tells the true story of the Johnson County War in the USA at the end of the 19th century, when wealthy American farmers tried to massacre a group of settlers while the regional government watched silently.

In the 1970s, a group of young filmmakers settled in the United States. In addition to Martin Scorsese and Peter Bodganovich, there was also the prodigy Michael Cimino – who received, for The Gateway to Paradise, a creative and financial free pass. And so the director became completely megalomaniac during filming.

At least that’s what producer Steven Bach describes in his book Final Cut. Cimino took several extreme measures during filming because he had a bad feeling about some of the plans. It was no shock when the budget and delays reached frightening levels.

Unmissable on streaming: One of the best westerns of the last 20 years

Eight months late and tens of millions spent over budget, Cimino finally sent a five-hour version to United Artists. The running time was reduced to two and a half hours, but to no avail: after Cimino’s behavior and cruelty towards animals on set came to light, critics awaited the film’s release with knives in their hands.

The film was destroyed by critics and grossed just 3.5 million dollars on a budget of 44 million – which today is equivalent to around 161 million. United Artists was sold and lost all power in Hollywood. Today, the film is seen as a masterpiece amid unprecedented chaos.

The Gate of Paradise is available with Prime Video premium subscription.

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