Gates of Heaven

"Death is for the living and not for the dead so much."

1978 1h 23m EN

👍

6.8

SOLID

★6.8TMDB · 117

Documentary

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A showcase of workers in the animal burial industry while dealing with heavier existential questions regarding mortality and the afterlife. Floyd 'Mac' McClure believes that a graceful burial is as important for pets as it is for people; he chronicles his struggles to keep his niche business afloat, and interviews several of his associates and one of his competitors, the manager of a rendering plant.

“Death is for the living and not for the dead so much.”

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Where to watch · US

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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

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Errol Morris
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

83 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

48 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Errol Morris, shot by Ned Burgess. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Errol Morris shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Lucille Billingsley and Zella Graham and Cal Harberts carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Death is for the living and not for the dead so much.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0077598 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Errol Morris directs. Ned Burgess behind the camera. Errol Morris cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

183 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
248 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
4Directed by Errol Morris, shot by Ned Burgess. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Editor Errol Morris shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Lucille Billingsley and Zella Graham and Cal Harberts carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "Death is for the living and not for the dead so much.".
8IMDB entry: tt0077598 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.