MovieChat Forums > Heaven's Gate (1981) Discussion > Cinematography

Cinematography

posted 6 years ago by johnmiller (3967)
3 replies | jump to latest

I greatly admire cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond's work, and I admire the chances that he took in this films. But, I think "Heaven's Gate" just goes too far with the boundary pushing. Especially when you are going to be watching a film for hours. The desaturated color, the dust and the atmospheric smoke were just too much, in my opinion.

[–] Rocky15 (509) 5 years ago

I think the cinematography is the best thing the film has got going for it, beautiful to look at.

[–] johnmiller (3967) 5 years ago

His compositions are still great. But, the desaturated color and diffusion were just too much for me. "McCabe and Mrs. Miller" does this too.

[–] Speeed (193) 5 years ago

I absolutely loved the cinematography. In fact, that's what I was focused on from beginning to end even more than the story itself. Perhaps if UA didn't pull this from the theaters after one week, Vilmos Zsigmond would've won an Oscar for it. It's beautiful.