Richard Gere Says None of His Films Could Top This 93%-Rated Gem (It's Not 'Pretty Woman')

Every actor has a movie that they consider to be the pinnacle of their career. For Richard Gere, surprisingly, it's neither Pretty Woman nor Chicago.

In an interview with Rotten Tomatoes, the actor admitted that his best work happened almost 50 years ago.

Richard Gere Claims That Terrence Malick's 'Days of Heaven' Is His Best Movie

It was Terrence Malick's Days of Heaven, released in 1978. For Gere, the film was not only his big-screen debut but also the project that defined his career. Gere admits:

“It's probably, unfortunately, my best film. It's very hard to follow up on a film like that.”

These words convey not only nostalgia, but also the bitter realization that he reached his pinnacle too soon.

By the time Days of Heaven was released, Gere was virtually unknown to the general public. Although he had appeared in supporting roles, the lead role in Terrence Malick's new film seemed out of reach. The actor said:

“It was the first film that Terry Malick made that kind of became Terry Malick in that movie.”

Indeed, Days of Heaven set the standard for Malick's style, featuring a contemplative camera, golden hour shooting, nature as an active participant in the narrative, and a minimalist plot that prioritizes atmosphere.

The movie also marked Gere's first screening at the Cannes Film Festival. Richard added:

“It also was the first film of mine at the Cannes Film Festival. So, everything about that film kind of was important to me as an actor and as a person.”

What Is 'Days of Heaven' About?

The story unfolds on the eve of World War I, when factory worker Bill kills a man and flees Chicago for Texas with Abby and her younger sister, Linda.

There, they find work for a wealthy farmer who becomes terminally ill. Bill persuades Abby to marry the farmer so that he can inherit his fortune after his death.

However, the farmer survives, and Abby begins to develop genuine feelings for him. Against the backdrop of a biblical locust plague and a massive fire that destroys the harvest, a love triangle unfolds.

'Days of Heaven' Remains a Visual Masterpiece Unrivaled to This Day

Days of Heaven is one of the most beautiful movies in cinema history. The cinematography is stunning, depicting a pastoral idyll of golden fields and Gothic American Southern architecture reminiscent of the paintings of Andrew Wyeth and Edward Hopper.

Malick shot the film exclusively during golden hour, the most romantic hour before sunset when the light takes on a magical golden glow.

Achieving this effect was technically challenging – three cameramen worked on the movie, taking turns, and the filming process stretched over many months.

Fittingly, nothing like Days of Heaven has ever been made. The movie earned Malick an Oscar for Best Cinematography and became an unexpected box office hit for an independent film.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Days of Heaven'?

• Days of Heaven has 93% from critics and 89% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.7/10.

• On Letterboxd, Days of Heaven scored 4.1/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Days of Heaven'?

Days of Heaven is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video.