MovieChat Forums > Heaven's Gate (1981) Discussion > What's up with Walken's character? (Spoi...

What's up with Walken's character? (Spoilers)

posted 12 years ago by TheHighVoltageMessiah
3 replies | jump to latest

I just saw this film last night on the new Criterion Blu-ray; it's the first time I've seen the film and for the most part I think it's underrated. However, the events leading up to Nate's death scene bother me.

Okay, so he goes to the place where the Association people are camped and shoots the remaining rapist. He makes it pretty damn clear that he now stands in opposition to the actions of the Association. After incurring these people's wrath with such an act of defiance, what does he do? He GOES BACK TO HIS CABIN and he ends up surrounded.

Didn't it occur to Nate that the Association would strike back at him for what he did? Why wasn't he more careful, more on his guard? Why didn't he go to some place that didn't have close ties to him, and would pobably be the first place the Association people would go to look for him? It seems like an oddly foolish move for the character.

Or is there an explanation in the film that I just missed?

[–] bstephens21 12 years ago

He wasn't on the list... the Association had a license to kill, but only to an extent. Nate probably miscalculated just how brazen they were.

That, and it wasn't a sure thing they would attack him: Major Wolcott wanted to leave him alone. It's only Canton and his bruised ego that carries out the attack.

[–] myturn21 12 years ago

And there's nothing that I remember in the film that suggests the Assoc knew where Nate's cabin was, but it obviously wouldn't have been hard to find out or wasn't hard to find out -- they have spies that seem to be able to track down anyone, like Ella or Cully.

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"WHOOPSIE DAISY!!!!" - Bill the Butcher

[–] Milkdoesabodygood 11 years ago

Most folks don't C the end coming, sad but true in life.

Uh baby U 4got to pull out. 9 months later, can U pull this ucking baby outta me, do that @ least!