Gates of Heaven (1978)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Dan S

  
  An original documentary that takes aim at a pet cemetery and the day-to-day operations that go on as well as the strange people that run the place. While occasionally boring and irrefutably slow-moving, there is no denying the well-rounded, subtle slam and quiet mocking of these… More
  An original documentary that takes aim at a pet cemetery and the day-to-day operations that go on as well as the strange people that run the place. While occasionally boring and irrefutably slow-moving, there is no denying the well-rounded, subtle slam and quiet mocking of these weird, weird people who took their pets' lives way to seriously and need to get back to reality ASAP. What makes this thing worthwhile is the people being filmed, who think this is a totally straight, serious documentary that they are being apart of, not knowing for an instant that the ridiculous things they say and how they act (everybody wants to punch the "motivation" guy, no one will deny that) are going to be turned against them. It sounds rather cruel, but director Errol Morris never cuts in or makes any obvious finger-pointing accusations or is seen laughing behind the camera - he lets the people do the talking, and the result is something both at times uproarious while at other times just very, very sad. Definitely a unique film, one that does tend to plod along, but it is still worth a view just due to Morris's ability to dig out all the weirdness from a piece of California.

• Ken S

  
  I don't get what the hype is all about. I found the story about the making of the documentary WAY more interesting than the documentary itself.

• Reid V

  
  In a world where it seems like more people are attracted to the documentaries of Davis Guggenheim, Errol Morris is constantly a breath of fresh air. His subjects tell the stories. His camera captures only what is necessary and he films eccentric characters without appearing as though… More
  In a world where it seems like more people are attracted to the documentaries of Davis Guggenheim, Errol Morris is constantly a breath of fresh air. His subjects tell the stories. His camera captures only what is necessary and he films eccentric characters without appearing as though he is looking down on them. In other hands, this movie could have become a cult classic in which the subjects are mocked for their beliefs. Morris' tender care of these subjects will mean that it will leave some viewers confused, not knowing when to laugh or not laugh. Morris doesn't make any judgements, he leaves them up to the viewer. It is interesting, kind-hearted, well shot, and even though it has it's share of slow moments, it is an incredibly well made and structured documentary. I don't like being told a story (i'm looking at you Davis), I like being a part of a story.Great Film

• Curtis L

  
  When you see the guy play electric guitar for the dead pets at sunset, you'll know why this movie is amazing.

• Walter M

  
  [font=Century Gothic]Errol Morris' debut film, "Gates of Heaven" is a captivating documentary. In general, it is about job satisfaction and how important it is to enjoy what you do for a living. Specifically, it is concerned with two pet cemetaries in… More
  [font=Century Gothic]Errol Morris' debut film, "Gates of Heaven" is a captivating documentary. In general, it is about job satisfaction and how important it is to enjoy what you do for a living. Specifically, it is concerned with two pet cemetaries in California.(Personally, I'm ambivalent about pet cemetaries. I had two basset hounds when I was growing up and I do miss them but I'm also glad that it did not go any further than that. And burying a pet might seem like a grandiose expense but the owners not only feel the animals were part of the family but also had souls of their own. Of course, I don't even think human beings have souls...) The Bay Area cemetary is run for a quick profit. When that is not realized, it is simply run into the ground. The other in the Napa Valley is run by three generations of the same family with loving care towards the pets and owners. In return, they are contented with making their customers happy. [/font]

• Robert F

  
  I lost interest after about 45 minutes.

• Christopher B

  
  Fantastic! Morris looks at death through the eyes of people who have recently lost pets. It's heartbreaking and hilarious, even though unlike modern doc filmmakers, Morris doesn't in any way mock his subjects. Very highly recommended.

• Wu C

  
  Morris' first documentary demonstrates the skill of finding interesting subjects.

Read all 8 featured audience ratings