ColinChapman — 9 years ago(January 27, 2017 11:26 PM)

To OP. I think you fools confuse Heaven's Gate with CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST - which was released the same year. In that one animals really were killed.
Many myths surround Heaven's Gate. The one with the killed horses was started by people who had a personal grudge against Michael Cimino. They pulled no punches in starting nasty rumors. At least some of those who believed in it later apologized when they found out they had been duped.
And lastly, movies are judged on their artistic merit first and foremost. Whether a horse was blown up or not is irrelevant. This is why people today can admire Leni Riefenstahl's highly influential movies from the 1930's. That they happened to portray Nazi Germany is equally irrelevant to the craft itself. D.W. Griffith was a well-known racist and his 1915 film "Birth of a Nation" remains controversial. Even black directors will admit that Griffith was a very important figure in the development of film.
"any one who supports a movie that subjects animals to that kind of cruelty is sick." Yeah, and anybody who posts something that false and stupid is undoubtedly a little girl, or still has the mindset of one.