Heaven's Gate (1980)
Estimated Budget: $44 Million
Gross: $3.4 Million
Director: Michael Cimino
Starring: Kris Kristofferson, Christopher Walken, Isabelle Huppert, Jeff Bridges
The flop that changed Hollywood and destroyed a studio. The 1970’s had seen an unprecedented rise in director power in Hollywood. The first generation of “Film Majors” came into their own, with young guns like Scorsese, Copolla, Spielberg and Lucas arriving on the scene with massive successes. Producers indulged directors because directors were delivering hits. Michael Cimino was a promising screenwriter, who’s second directorial effort, The Deer Hunter, had won multiple Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director. His was given carte blanche on his third film, a story of the settling of the west, with a sprawling ensemble cast and epic scope.
