This film was Michael Cimino's breakthrough and downfall. The success of this film gave Cimino free reign of his next film, and he decided to make Heaven's Gate (1980). However, Cimino ran into production problems during the making of the film, and overran the budget. As a result, it was one of the biggest box-office flops in film history and nearly caused United Artists to go bankrupt, destroying Cimino's reputation and career.