Stanley Kubrick, Sergio Leone, Michael Cimino and David Lynch are my favourites directors. I love heavens gate, the deer hunter, year of the dragon, desperate hours I love those films he's a great director.

One thing I love about Elton's book (which I highly recommend) is that he's fairly even-handed in how he presents Michael Cimino, the person and the artist, to the reader. He does not air brush out the negative aspects, Cimino's eccentricities, not does he fall into the trap of hagiography. We see Cimino as he is, warts and all. But, most importantly, Elton cuts through the decades of misrepresentation of Cimino, helped along by Stephen Bach, and lets us reflect on his art.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely! Well said.

You are killing it with the interviews!

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Raquel! That means a lot to me!

Great interview. Thanks for sharing.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you liked it.

Thank you for the interview, it gave me renewed interest in Cimino.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

4 ай бұрын

You're welcome.

I'm.a bit taken aback whenever I hear Heaven's Gate or (especially) The Deer Hunter described as "flawed" masterpieces, in an almost reflexive way. Which cinematic work is *not* flawed, impervious to any criticism? None. Yet, the standard narrative has somehow solidified in a way such that people feel they need to qualify their praise of these two films by conceding that they're "flawed." I've always felt that The Deer Hunter is a film that deserves to be included in the rarefied air of acknowledged all-time greats such as The Godfather. I only recently re-watched Heavens Gate (the first time being when it was first released) and was stunned. It's a masterpiece. Full stop.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

Жыл бұрын

Well, I think it's because the flaws in those moments pop out more than other movies that are often considered masterpieces

@cdallapiccola

Жыл бұрын

@@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies Thank you for the interview! I'm so glad you highlighted the sections of the movie focused on the relationship between Linda and Michael. One of my favorite scenes is one with no dialogue at all: when Michael returns from Viet Nam and has the taxi bring him to a hotel . He paces the room, looks out the window at the steel mill and the river (thinking of the river and the fire in Viet Nam?), he's restless and can't relax in the bed, and eventually squats against the wall. So often discussions of The Deer Hunter are instead completely dominated by the Viet Nam scenes, particularly the Russian Roulette scene. This has been my favorite movie since I was 12 years old and my dad took me to see it at the theater. I was transfixed, and shaken. To this day, it remains my favorite performance by Robert De Niro, as well. My friend and neighbor teaches a film course at the university where I teach, and we've had hundreds of hours of discussion about the film, never getting bored of talking about it! We've talked about the hunting scene you brought up, where Michael is unable to kill the deer, shouting "Alright!" as he fires into the air. My friend believes that the deer represents Nick. Michael is hunting Nick, and he shouts "Alright!" as recognition that he can't kill the memory of Nick...he must go back for him (keeping his promise to not leave him behind).

Robert, Robert, KZread has a rare interview with Cimino. Type Michael Cimino on heaven's gate. It's excellent. Thought you might want to check it out.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I'll check it out

OK, guys, thanks for an interesting interview. I just ordered the book, as well as the Criterion version of Heaven’s Gate, and I subscribed to this channel. I have a friend who met with Cimino when my friend was auditioning for parts in Hollywood. I hope to find out more about what part he was going for, but he did mention that his usual competition was Jeff Bridges. I spoke to my friend yesterday, so I’ll have to find out more. Anyway, thanks for your presentation!

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

10 ай бұрын

Thanks for subscribing and watching the video. I hope you enjoy the book!

Heads up: (and I'm surprised that your guest, being British, didn't know or mention this) there's a special edition of The Deer Hunter with Cimino doing a commentary track. It's from England, so you need an all-region DVD player (which I bought just to watch it), and it's fantastic. Look into it.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

5 ай бұрын

Thank you. I will!

@jamesferry1523

4 ай бұрын

Okay, so guess what the algorithm puked up: Deer Hunter audio commentary with Cimino (audio only, unfortunately), but here it is: kzread.info/dash/bejne/c3llx7J-krerpJs.html@@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

4 ай бұрын

Will do. Thank you!

I love this show. Thank you!!! I think had Michael cimino had worked within the studio system, he would’ve made the films he wanted to make and become a better director. He probably would’ve made footloose and it would been his comeback movie. Look at Martin Scorsese, he had to make commercial films and work with in the studio system, and because of that he was able to make his film the last temptation of Christ and got back to making films he wanted to make.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for watching ! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

@quarantinebored1427

Жыл бұрын

@@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies also another fun fact. I think the reason why John Hurts character disappeared in the film is because in reality, they took too long to film any of his scenes and because of that, he went on to make “the elephant man” for 6 months then came back to start shooting Heavens gate. I believe cimino had to rewrite some of his scenes.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

Жыл бұрын

@@quarantinebored1427 that I'm not sure about. There was something in the book about this, but I can't recall.

In my opinion Michael Cimino was used as a scapegoat with UA fate. Transamerica was having problems with UA since Day 1 when they took over the company, especially with the films UA were making They didn't want to release Midnight Cowboy or Last Tango in Paris. When Arthur Krim and his team left to form Orion Pictures. Even though Heaven's Gate did loss money Transamerica only loss 1% profit as it is a billion dollar company and still exist to this day. Yes Cimino did go overbudget but where was the tough producer to tell him he was going overbudget. As for Heaven's Gate it is underrated as a film. It is a beautiful film. Yes some scenes like the rolling skating scene does drag but the the 3rd act shoot out is brutal and powerful. I wouldn't call it the worst film ever made.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

Жыл бұрын

Well the producers were warning him and he did act badly but you're right he wasn't responsible for sinking UA and it's not uncommon for movies to go over budget or even way over. I think "Heaven's Gate" is great. I think people who say it's the worst haven't even seen it.

@ninfilms

Жыл бұрын

@@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies I not saying that Cimino wasn't arrogant but like some directors they do test producers. I feel the producers will out of their league as David Field admitted that he never experienced a film shoot. Even the confrontations between producers and directors shouldn't be the reason why Heaven's Gate flopped. I feel over the years the people were going on the bandwagon or their expectations was it going to be a bad film. That bad aura affected the film. Heaven's Gate has got many memorable moments e.g. Walken shooting the immigrate from one of blanket. It is a very iconic shot. Also prologue dance scene the attention to detail is brilliant. Not forgetting the 3rd act shoot out was ahead of its time.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

Жыл бұрын

@@ninfilms I think it's an excellent film. Really enjoyed it.

@ninfilms

Жыл бұрын

@@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies it truly is. It just sad over the years when you got films like Superman 4 which that film was compromised due to the budget and I can see why that is branded the worst film of all time. Whereas Heaven's Gate every dollar is spent on that film.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

Жыл бұрын

Definitely

Him yelling okay, I always took that as he's finally admitting to himself that he's changed, he's not the guy he was before the war, he can't kill, etc. At least that was always my interpretation.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

7 ай бұрын

That's pretty much how I saw it.

Great interview about a flawed but great filmmaker

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

11 ай бұрын

Thank you

Cliche I know, but The Deer Hunter is one of the greatest movies ever made, and a sheer and total masterpiece. I feel like it doesn't get the same level of reverence and respect today as most films classics like The Godfather I and II, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and Citizen Kane get, which is a complete and total shame, because I personally believe that it is in fact, better than those films, and on top of that, De Niro gives his best performance in this movie, not in the others, although of course I love those other films too.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

8 ай бұрын

I love the movie too! I wouldn't perhaps rank it higher than the movies you mentioned, but it's a fantastic movie nonetheless!

Nah, Cimino was a masterful filmmaker. The Sicilian and Desperate Hours got magnificent artistic details and aspects and both are great movies as well. Sunchaser is a tremendous film as well.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

Жыл бұрын

I still have to see his other movies

@ninfilms

Жыл бұрын

I never seen The Sicilian but I been told the European cut is better than the American version. Desperate Hours is problematic. I never seen Sunchaser. As for Year of the Dragon, that film is underrated. I has got great shootouts especially the 3rd act. In my opinion that film one of the influential crime films of the 80s.

@space.midnight.cowboy

Жыл бұрын

@@ninfilms Sunchaser is a great great film.

@johndeagle4389

Жыл бұрын

@@ninfilms The Sicilian is not a good film. Don't waste your time.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

Жыл бұрын

I don't plan on it.

Question, does anybody know when Cimino's documentary is going to be shown in the US. Thanks

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

7 ай бұрын

Is there a new documentary on him?

@user-vq6dz6ss6j

7 ай бұрын

yes. Called God Bless America by French director Jean-Baptiste Thoret. Came out in 2022. but can't find it anywhere. @@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

@Postscriptom

Ай бұрын

@@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies Yes, in France our critic and director Jean-Baptiste Thoret ("We Blew It") made "Michael Cimino - Un Mirage Américain", available here on DVD & Bluray, watch the trailer it's so beautiful...

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

Ай бұрын

Thank you. I'll check it out.

Good interview. The Deer Hunter and Heaven's Gate are flawed masterpieces. Cimino was an interesting character. He should have had a better career.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! He was a fascinating character. Highly recommend the book!

@lamentate07

Жыл бұрын

@@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies Rewatched this interview and bought the book! Interesting that he uses The Color of Money as an example of Scorsese adapting to the system. Cape Fear is a much better example I'd say. Oh well.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

Жыл бұрын

@dios bananos I hope you like the book. I'd say both of those movies were pretty commercial from Scorsese.

@lamentate07

Жыл бұрын

@@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies They were, but I just disagree with him about TCOM being a Scorsese movie. It feels very anonymous to me. Cape Fear, on the other, does not.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

Жыл бұрын

@@lamentate07 fair enough. It's definitely not as commercial as Cape Fear.

Heaven's Gate was ambitious but flawed in its execution of the plot. Excellent video.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching

Очень понравился фильм. Печально, что он провалился в прокате.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

10 ай бұрын

Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, I can't translate what you wrote to English.

The opening scene at Harvard graduation is not perfect. They don’t do a choreographed dance routine on the lawn after graduation. Now or in 1880. Yeah…Yeah…I know, it’s just a movie and fiction. But it’s like if they threw a virgin into a volcano in the wedding reception scene in “The Deer Hunter.” We all know that doesn’t happen at a wedding receptions. And it would just delay the movie’s plot from advancing. Like that long, long, dance sequence. And Bogdonavich had more than one success. Both “The Last Picture Show” and “Paper Moon” are great.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

17 күн бұрын

Sorry what doesn't happen in a wedding reception ?

@christinacascadilla4473

17 күн бұрын

@@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies you almost never see the brides parents throw a virgin into a volcano at their kid’s reception. Never happens.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

17 күн бұрын

What does virgin into a volcano mean ?

@christinacascadilla4473

16 күн бұрын

@@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies an example of something that never happens. Like dancing in the quad after your Harvard graduation.

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

16 күн бұрын

@@christinacascadilla4473 it didn't bother me. Who knows what happens with different cultures at different weddings or graduations. We only experience so little in life, compared to what's offered.

The RUSSIAN ROULETTE thing --is rough Statistically-the ODDS of successfully beating the game for 2 or 3 rounds is almost impossible... --thus the notion of a "RINGER" winning & stacking cash for months...OR YEARS...is on its face SO ABSURD it invariably detracts from the film

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

Ай бұрын

It's not meant to be a realistic portrayal of Russian roulette and very few people would know what you just said. It's about capturing the feeling of getting killed at any moment during war, which is what soldiers during any war go through.

'Year of the Dragon' is better than 'Heaven's Gate.'

@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

11 ай бұрын

I still have to see that.