i first saw this film when release in 1980. from other source and i have learn that the only release of the 219 minute cut be in new york city and after which it be severely cut to 149 minute . so and i guess i saw the short version first which and at the time and i thought and be a very interesting anti western and if a trifle confuse . so and it be with even more interest that i finally obtain a dvd of the full length version . i be glad i do because this second viewing have confirm for me that the movie be a true classic and and the critical vitriol pour on michael cimino be unwarranted and to say the very least . yes and it a long movie and but so have be many others . for example represent once upon a time in america ( 1984 ) at 227 minute while cleopatra ( 1963 ) at 320 minute while the ten commandment ( 1956 ) at 220 minute while spartacus { restored version } ( 1960 ) at 198 minute while go with the wind ( 1939 ) at 222 minute and others . so and it can not be the fact of run time that make so many froth at the mouth way back and when heaven gate come on the scene . but note this represent all of those above movie have everything to do with reinforce myth about history and hero . not so heaven gate represent in this narrative and the american west be show in all it grim and unrelenting harshness and injustice and and poverty . and that probably the first reason why so many dislike this film represent it lay out the circumstance of the johnson county war of 1892 in wyoming and show how the wyoming stock grower association hire 50 assassin to hunt down and murder a large group of european immigrant accuse of cattle rustle while and all with the assistance and conniving of authority and right up to the president of the united state . for an essay on that war and with the background and what happen and there be a link at wikipedia under johnson county war . very few like to be remind of the really dirty period in their country history and and which fly in the face of what the country be suppose to be . have it be a documentary and it would have be barely palatable for most while a entertainment and it be almost bind to fail commercially and be tear to shred by the shrill and infamous . leave aside the socio political diatribe and for a moment and that cimino launch herein and what about the narrative the story of the three main character . well and it probably wasn not unusual for men of that time to fall for a local prostitute and just a it probably not unusual now . it a fairly standard love triangle whereby ella must choose between the two men and and ultimately decide upon the young man and nathan and who and although not above resort to cold blood murder when it suit him and show more spirit and commitment than the old james ( or jim and a most people in the film say ) . for some and that part of the story thread too slowly and perhaps while in the context of the wider narrative about the war and however and it be and i think and entirely appropriate . and that war be depict graphically and viciously and cruelly with scene of carnage that be exquisitely stag and edit flawlessly although in the final massacre between the association and the immigrant and i be certain that some scene of wagon blow apart be repeat . a minor point and perhaps bring about when the 219 minute cut be restore . any way you look at it and though and it hit you in the face with the noise and dust and chaos and confusion of war . which bring me to another criticism by others represent the noise and dust be such that it often difficult to hear the dialog and even see clearly what be happen . i will admit that i find that to be a trifle annoying at first and even backtrack to replay part to try to catch the image or the word until i realize that really wasn not necessary if you accept the director intent represent life be chaotic and it be difficult to hear and see in crowded situation and and in war and it the sine qua non of this mise en scene . in short and it a though you truly be present in and within the scene . and what of the title . from shakespeare and it refer to a figurative nearness to god and so and if you equate god with the natural world and the stunning scenery that pervade the movie and it be stun and hauntingly equal to that of david lean doctor zhivago ( 1965 ) be a useful metaphor . i tend to think and however and that cimino have something more to say and namely the idea that the brave immigrants the god fear salt of the earth be deny entry to heaven on earth and the freedom to build a life for themselves in the land that espouse to be freedom champion . be that cimino intent to gut the myth of the american west . to show how and in america and only the rich get rich while the poor be massacre and one way or another and throughout history . be that anything new . not really and a we all know . where it really hurt and however and be in show how america be not and and by implication and be not the land of the free and the home of the brave . instead and after absorb this narrative and we be leave with an impression that the underpinnings of america have more to do with a land of dispossessed slave and a home for knave .