Don’t Demonize Cimino

In reinvestigating the “Heaven’s Gate” controversy (“The Dubious Anniversary of Cimino’s ‘Heaven’s Gate,’ “(Dec. 12), Patrick Goldstein points out that the film is commonly used as a type of benchmark for the passing of one era of American cinema (the challenging ‘70s) to another (the reactionary ‘80s and beyond).

Unfortunately, Michael Cimino was made a scapegoat for a conflict that has incorrectly been laid at the feet of “rebel” filmmakers and “bean-counting” producers, when neither are to blame. The American public, in fact, has chosen to reject the ideals of the final period of artistic bravery in Hollywood and wallow in shallow conformity ever since. Never again will films like “The Godfather” or “Raging Bull” be made, let alone “McCabe and Mrs. Miller,” “Shampoo” or “Klute.”

I will take “Heaven’s Gate’s” gorgeous imperfections over overrated films like “American Beauty” and “Boys Don’t Cry,” which are falsely heralded as a return to an intellectual cinema that our society buried long ago. People need to stop blaming those who make the movies and look to those who buy them.

JESSE ENGDAHL

Los Angeles

*

With almost no fanfare or publicity, Michael Cimino’s much-maligned, studio-bankrupting, mostly unseen, visually sumptuous, 3-hour-and-39-minute western epic sneaks onto DVD and Patrick Goldstein immediately resurrects its deadly baggage, perpetuating myths of this being a bad movie, thus encouraging people to yet again not see this truly amazing film.

I say, let’s see a special edition director’s cut with commentary of the original 5-hour-and-25-minute version! Give this movie a chance. Take another look.

ROBIN E. SIMMONS

Desert Hot Springs

*

I believe it’s a mistake to blame UA’s demise solely on Michael Cimino. When United Artists locked up Cimino’s services after the success of “The Deer Hunter,” they knew what they were buying. They wanted a big picture with a star director. Everyone knew that Cimino’s script, “The Johnson County Wars,” was a questionable project. The original budget was around $8 million. UA OKd the increase to $12 million before the production started.

I worked with Michael for two years on “The Deer Hunter” as an editor. I was privy to the numerous attempts by the studio to undermine his movie. No one worked harder than Michael to make “The Deer Hunter” a success. He was, and still is, a great film director.

THOMAS AVILDSEN

Tarzana

*

I am a screenwriter and I have worked with Michael Cimino on two projects over a period of four years. He is a man of almost unimaginable passion and obsession.

I wish that more people would look beyond the obvious in “Heaven’s Gate” and see the passion and courage it took to take such a bold step. Whether or not it failed should not be foremost in people’s minds. It was the risk that was important. I wish more filmmakers would attempt to work so honestly and with such a sense of purity. Maybe we wouldn’t have the dreck we see in theaters today.

Rather than demonizing Michael for his perceived failures, he should be treasured for his sense of passion and commitment.

RODNEY VACCARO

Woodland Hills