"Cimino doesn't stint on the Western analogies, with horses and mountains and conflicts over land rights, and his image repertory is as vital and energetic as ever, but it's hard not to see a crisis of cinematic faith, a sense of narrowing possibilities, afflicting the film.
"Cimino doesn't spare on the Western analogies, with horses and mountains and disputes over land ownership, and his visual repertoire is as vital and energetic as ever, but it's hard not to see a crisis of cinematic confidence, a feeling of dwindling options, affecting the film."