Averill, portrayed by Kris Kristofferson, comes from a privileged background—a Harvard graduate and generally good man—who accepts a position as sheriff in rural Wyoming. The majority of the town’s residents have sought refuge from hardship and persecution in Europe, hoping for a fresh start with their families. While they're willing to work hard, this doesn't alleviate the resentment of the local cattle ranchers who view them as insignificant nuisances. Averill attempts to maintain order, but when the landowners collaborate, persuade the Governor of the benefits of their expansionist agenda, and enlist the assistance of the U.S. military, it becomes clear that the newcomers are facing difficult times ahead. As tensions escalate, he reconnects with a former schoolmate who is also a gunslinger, Champion (Christopher Walken), and another classmate, Irvine (John Hurt), as opposing sides prepare for conflict—not only on the battlefield but also in their pursuit of Ella (Isabelle Huppert). I felt immediately distanced from the film during the opening scene, with Kristofferson appearing out of place at a graduation ceremony led by the "Reverend" (Joseph Cotton’s brief appearance) and featuring the intellectual and rather sarcastic Irvine—he seemed completely unsuited to the setting. From that point on, Michael Cimino stretches out the narrative considerably before reaching its climax. We quickly understand the nature of the conflict and the ranchers' aspirations, but are frequently diverted by meandering (and occasionally romantic) detours that don’t significantly advance the plot beyond allowing the men to appear more brooding, intense, and determined to win over the same woman. The film does gain momentum during the final thirty minutes as tensions finally reach a breaking point and loyalties are put to the ultimate test. Throughout, it offers an intermittently believable commentary on how challenging, dangerous, and prejudiced life was for those early American settlers—though that’s not likely to be surprising to anyone familiar with the genre. The performances are adequate but unremarkable, and it's undeniably more raw than a sanitized adventure like "How the West Was Won" (1962). However, it overstates its points repeatedly, at least in my opinion. Perhaps a shorter director’s cut could sharpen the focus of the story. It felt closer to “Gate to Hell” than anything else.

Source on TMDB