Days of Heaven
1978
****½
Director: Terrence Malick
Cast: Richard Gere, Brooke Adams, Sam Shepard, Linda Manz, Robert J. Wilke, Stuart Margolin, Doug Kershaw, Richard Libertini, Jack Kehoe, Timothy Scott
In the early 20th century, Bill, his girlfriend Abby, and his younger sister Linda pose as siblings while working as farm labourers. When Bill learns that the farmer is terminally ill, he persuades Abby to marry him to secure his inheritance. Terrence Malick's second feature is a pensive, beautiful romantic period story about jealousy, betrayal, and ultimately violence. This visually stunning film was shot largely in natural light during magic hour and won a well-deserved Academy Award for cinematography by Néstor Almendros (with Haskell Wexler). Ennio Morricone composed the plaintive score.
