Days of Heaven Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A hot-tempered guy, his girlfriend posing as his sister, and a dying farmer create the messiest love triangle in a wheat field that you’ve ever seen; also, locusts.

🍿 Days of Heaven: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Leaving Chicago

In 1916, Bill, a hot-tempered steelworker, accidentally kills his foreman during an argument in Chicago. Fearing the consequences, he flees the city with his girlfriend Abby, and his younger sister Linda. To avoid suspicion and potential legal issues, they pretend to be siblings.

Life on the Texas Farm

The trio finds work as laborers on a vast wheat farm in the Texas Panhandle. The wealthy and handsome farmer who owns the land takes a liking to Abby, unaware of her true relationship with Bill. The farmer invites them to stay after the harvest, which sets the stage for a complex love triangle and a series of unfortunate events.

A Deadly Proposition

Bill overhears a doctor telling the farmer that he is terminally ill and has only a year to live. Seizing an opportunity to escape their life of poverty, Bill encourages Abby to marry the farmer, intending to inherit his wealth upon his death. Abby reluctantly agrees, leading to a wedding and a year of uneasy cohabitation.

Jealousy and Revelation

As time passes, the farmer’s health improves, and Abby finds herself developing genuine feelings for him. Bill becomes increasingly jealous and restless, realizing that his plan is unraveling and that Abby’s affections are shifting. The arrival of a traveling circus and a plague of locusts foreshadow the impending chaos.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Bill (Richard Gere): A hot-tempered laborer who flees Chicago after accidentally killing his foreman and attempts to manipulate Abby into marrying a wealthy farmer.
• Abby (Brooke Adams): Bill’s girlfriend who poses as his sister and becomes entangled in a complex relationship with both Bill and the Farmer.
• The Farmer (Sam Shepard): A wealthy and lonely farmer who falls in love with Abby, unaware of her true relationship with Bill.
• Linda (Linda Manz): Bill’s younger sister and the narrator of the story, offering a child’s perspective on the events unfolding around her.
• The Farm Foreman (Robert J. Wilke): The Farmer’s right-hand man who grows suspicious of Bill and Abby, eventually leading to conflict.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Linda: “Nobody’s perfect. There was never a perfect person around. You just have half-angel and half-devil in you.” – Linda reflects on the flawed nature of humanity and the mixture of good and bad within everyone.
• Linda: “I’m telling you, the rich got it figured out.” – Said with cynical observation about how the wealthy control their circumstances and have an easier life.
• Linda: “This girl, she didn’t know where she was goin’ or what she was goin’ to do. She didn’t have no money on her. Maybe she’d meet up with a character.” – Linda reflecting on the uncertain future of her friend, a symbol of the many drifters of the time.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $3,446,749
• Worldwide Gross: $3,492,909

💥 Days of Heaven Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely captivated by this movie. The way the light is used creates a dreamlike quality, and the story, though simple, is incredibly powerful. I felt so much empathy for these characters, caught between their desires and circumstances. The ending left me with a deep sense of sadness and reflection; it’s a film that stays with you long after the credits roll.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Terrence Malick’s films”
  • “Those interested in visually stunning cinema”
  • “Viewers who enjoy period dramas and tragic love stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Malick’s ‘Days of Heaven’ is a visual feast, a stunning portrait of early 20th-century America that’s as poetic as it is tragic, focusing on the human condition against the backdrop of breathtaking landscapes and moral compromises.
• The New York Times: “A film of extraordinary visual beauty, Terrence Malick’s second feature is a stark and haunting tale of love, betrayal, and class struggle, told with a unique narrative voice and a painterly eye.
• Hound: “In a mere hour and a half, Terrence Malick does more with Days of Heaven than most directors could do in a lifetime. In this wonderful film, we see all seven deadly sins play out against one of the most incredible backdrops ever put on camera. Virtually every shot could be framed and hung on your wall as a fine piece of art. The story, though at times swallowed up by the cinematography, is also pretty compelling.

Audience Reactions

The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous, making every scene a work of art.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s visual beauty and poetic storytelling.

Linda Manz’s narration adds a unique and haunting quality to the story.: Many appreciate the distinctive narrative style brought by the young actress.

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning film with a poetic narrative that explores themes of love, betrayal, and the harsh realities of early 20th-century America; though some find the pacing slow, most are captivated by its unique beauty.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Cinematography)- 1979

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Much of the film was shot during the ‘magic hour’ – the short period after sunrise or before sunset – using natural light to achieve its distinctive look.”
• “Director Terrence Malick reportedly discarded the original script during filming, encouraging improvisation from the actors, resulting in a more naturalistic feel.”
• “Haskell Wexler, though uncredited as main cinematographer, contributed significantly, stepping in when Nestor Almendros had to leave due to other commitments.”
• “The locust plague scene involved gluing real locusts to wheat stalks, a practice that would likely be considered controversial today.”

🖥️ How to Watch Days of Heaven?

Days of Heaven is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services or physical media.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Days of Heaven, you might like these similar films:

• Badlands (1973): Also directed by Terrence Malick, it features a young couple on the run and explores themes of alienation and societal indifference.
• The Grapes of Wrath (1940): Depicts the struggles of migrant workers during the Great Depression, highlighting similar themes of poverty and survival in rural America.
• Bonnie and Clyde (1967): A crime drama set during a similar time of economic hardship, featuring outlaws on the run from the law and dealing with betrayal.
• Nomadland (2020): A modern film that explores the theme of people living on the margins of society, searching for work, and trying to find some sense of stability.

🛒 Days of Heaven Related Products

• Days of Heaven (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A meticulously restored Blu-ray edition from The Criterion Collection, featuring bonus content such as interviews, documentaries, and essays, providing a deeper understanding of the film’s creation and impact.
• Terrence Malick: Filmmaker and Philosopher (Aesthetics in Film): A comprehensive study exploring the philosophical and aesthetic dimensions of Terrence Malick’s films, including ‘Days of Heaven,’ providing insightful analysis for film students and enthusiasts.
• Richard Gere Signed Days of Heaven Photo: A high-quality print of Richard Gere in a memorable scene from the film, hand-signed by the actor himself, making it a unique and valuable piece for fans and collectors.
• Vintage Style ‘Days of Heaven’ Movie Poster: A beautifully designed vintage-style poster capturing the iconic imagery and mood of the film, perfect for adding a touch of classic cinema to any room.

🎧 Soundtrack

Days of Heaven features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Aquarium from Carnival of the Animals” – performed by Camille Saint-Saëns
• “Enderlin” – performed by Leo Kottke

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Google CEO Sundar Pichai Class 12th Marks 😉 | Savage Answer #Shorts

Ever wondered how the CEO of Google did in high school? This short clip reveals a surprisingly relatable (and slightly savage) answer that’s gone totally viral. It’s a quick, funny watch!

Turns out this is 7 minutes of heaven.#shorts #movie #comedy

Turns out this is 7 minutes of heaven.

Book of Genesis Summary: A Complete Animated Overview (Part 1)

This is a summary about the Book of Genesis

✨ Rate