Heaven's Gate
Theatrical poster
Heaven's Gate Michael Cimino 's bleak 1980 "anti-western" based on events in 1890s Wyoming. Sheriff James Averill (Kris Kristofferson ), educated in the East and full of idealism, attempts to protect Eastern European immigrants - farmers against the land barons and owners of pastures who hire mercenaries to settle their scores. The hired gunmen, including Nathan Champion (Christopher Walken ), plan to kill a number of farmers whose names appear on a death list and whom the farmers believe have been stealing their cattle. Backed by the federal government, the mercenaries prepare to attack the farmers when Averill and Champion clash over the impending massacre and Ella Watson (Isabelle Huppert ), a local prostitute and woman they both love. The film, while shot very realistically with attention to every detail, became notorious for its enormous budget and its negative buzz and subsequently became one of the biggest box office flops of all time. Thirty-nine years after the movie's disastrous premier it is now considered by many film critics/historians (in particular Europeans) to be an outstanding example of American filmmaking at it's finest. There have also been many who have stated that in retrospect the film was savaged in part due to the fact that Michael Cimino was (personally) disliked by many in the industry. Whatever the case might be the movie is arguably one of the most famous failures in film history.
The following weapons were used in the film Heaven's Gate :
Handguns Single Action Army Most of the characters in the movie use "Cavalry" model Single Action Army revolvers. Sheriff Averil James (Kris Kristofferson ) carries an "Artillery" model.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Colt Single Action Army w/ 7.5" barrel known as the "Cavalry" model. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Nathan D. Champion (Christopher Walken ) is armed with a Cavalry model. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Frank Canton (Sam Waterston ) shoots a convict with his Cavalry SAA. Error creating thumbnail: File missing One of the settlers fires a Cavalry SAA in a fight. Error creating thumbnail: File missing An SAA in hand of the fallen mercenary. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Nick Ray (Mickey Rourke ) makes a stand with Champion (Christopher Walken ) using a Cavalry SAA and a long-barreled Colt Dragoon . Error creating thumbnail: File missing Colt Single Action Army w/ 5.5" barrel known as the "Artillery" model. The most common of the SAA revolvers as it is just the right length. - .45 Long Colt. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Sheriff James Averill (Kris Kristofferson ) fires an Artillery SAA. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Another shot of Averill's Artillery SAA. 1848 Colt Dragoon Nick Ray (Mickey Rourke ) also uses a long-barreled Colt Dragoon during his and Nathan Champion's last stand.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing 3rd Model Colt Dragoon with a long barrel. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Nick makes a stand with Champion (Christopher Walken ) using a Cavalry SAA and a long-barreled Colt Dragoon . Remington Model 1875 "Frontier" One of the immigrants is armed with a 5.5" Remington 1875 .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Remington Model 1875 "Frontier" Model by Aldo Uberti. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The immigrant aims his Remington at Nathan D. Champion. Merwin Hulbert & Co. Pocket Revolver Deputy John L. Bridges (Jeff Bridges ) and Ella Watson (Isabelle Huppert ) both use Merwin Hulbert & Co. Pocket Revolver
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Merwin Hulbert & Co. Pocket Model. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Ella cleans the gun while sitting with Nathan Champion (Christopher Walken ). Error creating thumbnail: File missing Ella shoots mercenaries guarding the bridge over the river. Error creating thumbnail: File missing John breaks up the ruckus by firing his pocket revolver. Rifles Henry Model 1860 Sheriff James Averill (Kris Kristofferson ) initially purchased a Henry 1860 rifle, but later switch to a more modern Winchester Model 1892 .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Henry Model 1860 - .44 Rimfire. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Sheriff Averill sits with his Henry and his badge. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Deputy John Bridges pulls the rifle hidden under a bar. Winchester Model 1892 Many characters in the film are armed with Winchester Model 1892 's.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Winchester 1892 -.32WCF/.38-40/.44-40/.25-20. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A mercenary fires his 1892 that appears to be missing the handguard. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Men at the wagon ramparts fire their Winchesters. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Frank Canton (Sam Waterston ) fires upon the sheriff with another handguardless Winchester. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Sherif Averill (Kris Kristofferson ) holsters his Winchester. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Nathan D. Champion (Christopher Walken ) makes his stand. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mr. Eggleston (Brad Dourif ) shoots from behind the wooden barrier at the mercenaries. Winchester Model 1866 "Yellow Boy" Deputy John L. Bridges (Jeff Bridges ) in battle is seen with a Winchester Model 1866 "Yellow Boy"
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Winchester 1866 "Yellow Boy" Carbine - .44 RF. Error creating thumbnail: File missing John fires his Winchester while on horseback, the lack of handguards and loading gate can be seen. Remington Rolling Block Sheriff James Averill (Kris Kristofferson ) also uses a Remington Rolling Block rifle.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Remington No. 1 Rolling Block - .22 rimfire Error creating thumbnail: File missing Sheriff Averill takes a shot at the fleeing rapist. File:Heaven´s Gate-rifle.jpg Averill sets down his rifle by the window. Winchester Model 1876 Some Winchester Model 1876 rifles appear in the hands of mercenaries, some appear to be missing their handguards like other rifles in the film.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing 1876 Winchester rifle similar to the one used in Tombstone. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Two men in the background fire their 1876 Winchesters lacking handgaurds. Maynard Single Shot Percussion Carbine Some mercenaries are seen using Maynard Single Shot Percussion Carbines .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Maynard Single Shot Percussion Carbine- .50 caliber Error creating thumbnail: File missing One of the mercenaries takes a shot at Ella on her horse. Trapdoor Springfield Model 1873 Cavalry Carbine Many of the immigrant farmers arm themslves with "Trapdoor" Springfield Model 1873 rifles.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Replica Springfield Model 1873 Cavalry Carbine "Trapdoor Springfield" built by Aldo Uberti - .45-70 Error creating thumbnail: File missing Several farmers are seen with Springfields. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mrs. Kovach (Gordana Rashovich )fires a shot to signal the uprising. Error creating thumbnail: File missing John L. Bridges (Jeff Bridges ) operates multiple Springfields. Shotguns 12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotgun Trappers are seen with 12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotguns . Nathan Champion (Christopher Walken ) also uses this weapon.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Colt Model 1878 reproduction - 12 Gauge Error creating thumbnail: File missing Champion checks the hole he has made in a covered wagon with his shotgun at the ready. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A trapper checks the chambers of his shotgun. 
