Gates of Heaven (1978)

Director:

Errol Morris

Release Date:

1978 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot:

A documentary about a pet cemetary in California, and the people who have pets buried there.

Plot Keywords:

Minister | Chapel | Death | Dog | Rendering Plant

Cast

Lucille Billingsley	...	Herself
Zella Graham	...	Herself
Cal Harberts	...	Himself
Dan Harberts	...	Himself
Phil Harberts	...	Himself
Scottie Harberts	...	Himself
Mike Koewler	...	Himself
Floyd McClure	...	Himself
Ed Quye	...	Himself
Florence Rasmussen	...	Herself

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Bubbling Well Pet Memorial Park, Petaluma, California, USA

Company:

Gates of Heaven

Trivia:

German film director Werner Herzog had made a bet with fledgling director (and current film student) Errol Morris that if Morris made a film about pet cemeteries, Herzog would eat his shoe. Morris went on to make this film, so Herzog kept his promise. The meal is documented in the film Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe (1980).

Quotes:

Mrs. Harberts: Surely at the gates of heaven an all-compassionate God is not going to say, "Well, you're walking in on two legs, you can go in. You're walking in four legs, we can't take you."

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Film Geek (2005)

Riveting human/pet interest piece - 6.5 of 10

Someone made the comment that this film "is like a train wreck" and that you can't look away. This description fits to a tee. It is an excellent expose of pet owners and their attitudes towards their pet's death. I remember a dog of mine dying and not wanting to know what the vet was to do with the body. It's a tough thing if you love animals. Good stuff. 6.5 of 10