The critical me: 3.5
The fanboy me: 4.5

I honestly have no idea how to rate this film. It really is a terrible movie, but it's also fascinating to watch because it feels so genuine.

While I wonder if there's more focus on the visuals than the story, this is a dream I don't want to leave. The combination of Morricone's score and Wexler & Almendros' visuals make this film mesmerizing, and seeing it end is like waking up from a deep sleep. No one knows how to bring such poetic power to the natural beauty of the earth quite like Malick.

Much like Badlands, I don't know that there is a message here. Rather than trying to get us to see or hear something important, Days of Heaven makes us feel something important.

Descriptions of this film don't do it justice. Even though it's a silent picture, Dreyer manages to build tension and dread more effectively than most film makers ever could. This movie is downright terrifying in the end, and Falconetti's performance really is one of the finest you'll ever see. Even the camerawork and cinematography, which are somewhat minimalist are breath taking, especially in last 10 minutes of the film.

I know that there's a Criterion edition that has music set to it, but honestly I can't imagine viewing this film any other way than in complete silence.