Days of Heaven is a 1978 American romantic period drama film written and directed by Terrence Malick. Set in the Texas Panhandle in 1916, it tells the story of Bill and Abby, a young couple who, along with Bill's younger sister Linda, flee Chicago after Bill commits a murder. They find work as migrant laborers on a wealthy farmer's estate, where Abby enters into a marriage of convenience with the terminally ill farmer, leading to a complex love triangle and tragic consequences.
Plot Summary The film opens with Bill (Richard Gere), a steelworker in Chicago, accidentally killing his foreman. He flees with his girlfriend Abby (Brooke Adams), whom he introduces as his sister, and his younger sister Linda (Linda Manz, who also narrates the film). They travel by train to the Texas Panhandle, finding work alongside other migrant laborers harvesting wheat on a vast farm owned by a shy and wealthy young farmer (Sam Shepard). The farmer falls in love with Abby. When he overhears a rumor that Abby and Bill are siblings, Bill encourages Abby to marry the farmer, believing he is dying and they will inherit his fortune.
Abby marries the farmer, living a life of luxury while Bill remains nearby, still pretending to be her brother. The farmer's health mysteriously improves, and his affection for Abby grows, as does Bill's jealousy. The deception eventually unravels when the farmer discovers Bill and Abby's true relationship. A confrontation ensues, leading to the farmer's death and Bill's subsequent flight and eventual demise. The film concludes with Linda leaving the farm with a friend, eventually running away from a boarding school and walking alongside soldiers, her future uncertain.
Cast
- Richard Gere as Bill
- Brooke Adams as Abby
- Sam Shepard as The Farmer
- Linda Manz as Linda (narrator)
- Robert J. Wilke as The Farm Foreman
Production
- Direction and Screenplay: Terrence Malick, known for his distinctive poetic and philosophical filmmaking style. Malick spent two years editing the film, significantly shaping its narrative through extensive voice-over narration by Linda Manz.
- Cinematography: The film is renowned for its breathtaking cinematography, primarily by Nestor Almendros, with uncredited contributions by Haskell Wexler. It made extensive use of natural light, particularly magic hour (the period shortly after sunrise or before sunset), to create its iconic ethereal visuals.
- Music: The score by Ennio Morricone, which heavily features Camille Saint-Saëns's "The Aquarium" from The Carnival of the Animals, contributes significantly to the film's evocative atmosphere.
Reception and Legacy
- Critical Acclaim: Days of Heaven received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, particularly for its visual beauty, Malick's direction, and the performances of its cast.
- Awards:
- Academy Award: Won for Best Cinematography (Nestor Almendros).
- Academy Award Nominations: Best Original Score, Best Costume Design, Best Sound.
- Cannes Film Festival: Terrence Malick won the Best Director award.
- National Film Registry: Selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2007 for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
- Influence: The film is considered a masterpiece of American cinema and has had a significant influence on subsequent filmmakers for its innovative narrative structure, visual style, and use of natural lighting. It remains a key work in Terrence Malick's filmography and is frequently cited in discussions of the most beautiful films ever made.