Days of Heaven
Days of Heaven

Movie spotlight

Days of Heaven

1978
Movie
94 min
English

In 1916, a Chicago steel worker accidentally kills his supervisor and flees to the Texas panhandle with his girlfriend and little sister to work harvesting wheat in the fields of a stoic farmer.

Insights

IMDb7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes93%
Metacritic86
Google Users87%
Director: Terrence MalickGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

In the early 20th century, Bill, his girlfriend Abby, and Bill's younger sister Linda drift to Texas. Bill and Abby pose as a married couple working on a wheat farm, hoping to inherit the land when the wealthy owner, who is falling for Abby, becomes terminally ill. However, their plan is complicated by the owner's suspicion and a growing love triangle.

Critical Reception

Days of Heaven was widely acclaimed by critics for its stunning cinematography, evocative atmosphere, and lyrical storytelling. While its narrative is sometimes considered sparse, the film's visual beauty and emotional resonance were almost universally praised, securing its place as a cinematic masterpiece.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its breathtaking cinematography and poetic visual style.

  • Applauded for its meditative pacing and emotional depth.

  • Lauded for its unique, almost dreamlike storytelling approach.

Google audience: Audiences frequently highlight the film's stunning visual beauty and atmospheric score as its strongest points. Many appreciate its contemplative nature and emotional impact, though some find the plot less engaging than the visuals.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography (Nestor Almendros) and nominations for Best Original Score and Best Art Direction. Also received numerous other awards and nominations for its cinematography and direction.

Fun Fact

Terrence Malick famously shot most of the film during the 'magic hour' – the period shortly after sunrise or before sunset – to achieve its iconic, ethereal golden light.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

I wasn't ever really a fan of Richard Gere. Maybe it was just all that hair? Anyway, in this rather poignant story he is "Bill" who works in a smelter in Chicago whilst living with "Amy" (Brooke Adams) and his younger sister "Linda" (Linda ...

talisencrw

talisencrw

Outstanding. My second favourite Malick film next to Badlands. I'm not sure anyone has ever been better at photographing fire. The only other of his films I have seen thus far is 'To the Wonder', but it's films like this that make me such a...

MoHA

MoHA

Following the story of Bill (Richard Gere), a hard working laborer in the early 19th century, Days Of Heaven is a cinematic masterpiece. Accompanied by his girlfriend, Abby (Brooke Adams) and sister (Linda Manz), Bill departs on a steam eng...