A remarkable movie! I saw the 217 minutes directors cut, and while I had planned to watch it over a number of evenings it was hard to take a paus.
It's a remarkable movie, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Beautifully shot and with superb performances from Kris and Christopher, and everybody else involved. It's slow sometimes, but the added minutes of dancing, roller skating etcetera builds a certain feel that certainly adds to the movie's appeal. And when the rough gets going, it's violent enough for more than one movie.
It starts out at Harvard University in 1870, jumps ahead to Wyoming of 1890 and ends in 1903.. it tries to capture the background and ongoings of the Johnson County War, and while it might not be objective it works well as a movie.
It's sad that there is so much critique towards it, but Cimino did over do himself, creating an epic instead of a more streamlined story.
But if you are uncertain if this is something for you, I would advise you to give it a try!