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Cal Harberts, Zella Graham, Lucille Billingsley, Dan Harberts, Phil Harberts ... see more see more... , Scottie Harberts , Ed Quye , Florence Rasmussen , Mike Koewler

Documentary filmmaker Errol Morris' debut immediately attracted acclaim for its straight-faced treatment of a subject practically begging for ridicule. When the Foothill Memorial Gardens pet cemetery,... read more read more... located north of San Francisco, closed (its land was sold for a housing project), the 450 animals interred there had to be moved to Bubbling Well Memorial Park in nearby Napa. Morris saw the transfer as an opportunity to explore the world of pet owners who are so devoted that they see nothing wrong with giving their animals a full dose of the last rites. His simple technique was to film his subjects, usually seated, talking about their loved ones, alternating with shots of the two cemeteries and the move. Critic Roger Ebert became an early champion of the film, and Morris' struggles to finish it resulted in a very amusing short film, Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe. The German filmmaker had bet Morris that he would never complete the film, and when he did, Herzog publicly boiled and consumed one of his shoes for the camera of director Les Blank. ~ Tom Wiener, Rovi

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81% liked it

3,683 ratings

Critics

92% liked it

13 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 25 min.

Directed by: Errol Morris

Release Date: October 19, 1980

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DVD Release Date: July 26, 2005

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Stats: 262 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (262)

  • fb619846742
    September 20, 2011
    fb619846742
    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 ... read moreweird, 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.
  • kenstachnik
    March 1, 2011
    kenstachnik
    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.
  • axadntpron
    February 16, 2011
    axadntpron
    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 th... read moreough 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
  • puffchunk
    May 22, 2007
    puffchunk
    When you see the guy play electric guitar for the dead pets at sunset, you'll know why this movie is amazing.
  • gator681
    April 21, 2010
    gator681
    [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'... read morem 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]
  • robfearon
    March 29, 2010
    robfearon
    I lost interest after about 45 minutes.
  • cacutshaw
    February 8, 2008
    cacutshaw
    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.
  • KLFilmmaker
    September 17, 2007
    KLFilmmaker
    Morris' first documentary demonstrates the skill of finding interesting subjects.
  • shawnmiller2
    April 13, 2012
    shawnmiller2
    Classic Morris...not one of the best, but his propensity to just let folks be folks and keep the cameras rolling is unmatched...a Badger too boot!
  • spartacus007
    January 29, 2012
    spartacus007
    Wonderfully compelling story made up almost entirely of interviews with people staring directly at the camera. A pure example of Errol Morris's style; I count one nats break.

View All Gates of Heaven Reviews

Critic Reviews

Tom Buckley
January 15, 2005
Tom Buckley, New York Times

What is missing is the mediation of an artistic sensibility. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

They say you can make a great documentary about almost anything, if only you see it well enough and truly, and this film proves it. Full Review

Fernando F. Croce
January 30, 2011
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion

Viewed through Errol Morris' blank-gaze lens, it suggests Kubrick discovering Mark Twain Full Review

Rob Gonsalves
April 9, 2007
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

An unforgettable mood piece about human loneliness. Full Review

Cole Smithey
November 7, 2005
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

Errol Morris first film is a window on his early promise as a turly great filmmaker.

Dan Lybarger
July 24, 2005
Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online

Morris' assured feature debut is simultaneously touching and wierd.

Dennis Schwartz
February 14, 2004
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

A bizarrely entertaining eye-opening look at pet cemeteries. Full Review

Rumsey Taylor
May 7, 2003
Rumsey Taylor, Not Coming to a Theater Near You

Gates of Heaven is a documentary with subject and no argument, and is nonetheless deeply, deeply ruminative. Full Review

Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
February 28, 2002
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies

More to it than I initially gave it credit for. Full Review

Annette Cardwell
June 27, 2001
Annette Cardwell, Filmcritic.com

[P]eople watching on the weirdest plane of humanity. Full Review

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