MovieChat Forums > Heaven's Gate (1981) Discussion > Blame the executives at UA

Blame the executives at UA

posted 9 years ago by Nriks
6 replies | jump to latest

They kept pouring more and more money into a movie with a genre that wasn't profitable, with actors that had no box-office potential, and with a script that had no real narrative through-line.

If their money meant so much to them, alarm bells should've been ringing before the first budget had even been set. But the fact is they kept pushing ahead with it, throwing more and more money at Cimino, because they thought the guy was the goose that laid the golden egg. They wanted another Deer Hunter and were content to let Cimino do whatever he wanted until it no longer suited their purposes.

If the execs had any clue what they were doing, the screenplay would never have been green lit without an actual star in the lead role. A $4 mill western with Clint Eastwood = guarenteed blockbuster. An $11 mill western (eventually $40 million) with Kristofferson? Forget it. It was simply bad management.

[–] Rmiles92 9 years ago

Yeah, UA definitely stuffed it up on a number of levels (which Bach freely admits in his book). I still think this a fantastic movie, but it was such an uncontrolled operation that there was always going to be a high risk associated with it. Unfortunately, films like Apocalypse are more the exception to the rule than the rule itself vis-a-vis problematic productions.

The first major stuff-up was not having a proper budget from Cimino, and not controlling him at all in the beginning. The guy said 'I can do it for 7.5m'. The UA exec in charge of costs (Katz, I think it was) was experienced, and didn't at all believe HG could be made for what Cimino was saying. In addition, UA knew about The Deer Hunter, despite its success, costing double what it was supposed to. They knew he had a bad track record, it wasn't like he was Woody Allen or something. You can see how they got sucked in - The Deer Hunter was a financial and critical success, winning BP - they thought this project would be quite likely to replicate the applause. They knew about the genre problem, but basically just deluded themselves and hoped that the 'anti-Western' nature of HG would be enough.

The man doesn't blink, mom, the man doesn't blink!

[–] rascal67 9 years ago

...actors that had no box-office potential...
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While they were all quality actors in this film, I have always thought that this was the biggest mistake they made. Cimino had DeNiro as a marquee light up for THE DEER HUNTER, not to mention that Vietnam was still topical and a talking point, viewers were interested in what the film had to say. All that excess and self-indulgence, just to pander to an ego that thought it was the best thing since sliced bread.

Exorcist: Christ's power compels you. Cast out, unclean spirit.
Destinata:💩

[–] wylierichardson-966-922691 9 years ago

Sure, the movie had it's problems, but I am not sure the cast was that bad. Christopher Walken had just won an Oscar, and Kris Kristoffersen was actually the biggest star they could get for the lead role.

[–] rascal67 9 years ago

Walken is a character actor and usually support player. Kirstoffersen was known for his music and some films; but he was not that big a star. He played second fiddle to Streisand in A STAR IS BORN-76', which was more of a vehicle for her own narcissism and while a big hit, she was the one that sold it. Like I have mentioned, it was also the subject matter that didn't appeal. It looked like an old fashioned and epic love story\drama, that just didn't excite audiences. It still doesn't.

Exorcist: Christ's power compels you. Cast out, unclean spirit.
Destinata:💩

[–] InherentlyYours 9 years ago

The celeb never gets the hit, it must be the producers fault. Whether it's Heavens Gate or Charlies Angels TV-series, it's always the unseen executives' fault.

Well, no, it was Cimino's fault for starting an engine that the studios could not turn-off when they already hired him. Now, if the film was a success, the praise would shift back to Cimino.

[–] rascal67 9 years ago

....if the film was a success, the praise would shift back to Cimino.
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And the producers would also get praise if it was a success. Advertising can often cite...From The Producers Of Such And Such. Cimino was hired because of his previous and "deserved " success. The producers trusted him, without looking at the bigger picture. They are the ones green lighting the project. It was gargantuan egos on both sides and the fence and the producers were being indulgent in thinking that Cimino would make them a hit. At the same time, they allowed themselves to indulge him in his excesses. What THE DEER HUNTER had, was an emotional core that viewers responded to and connected with. This one just didn't appear to have, or even exude the same emotional impact. That is usually the key with many successful films.

Exorcist: Christ's power compels you. Cast out, unclean spirit.
Destinata:💩