Robert De Niro

Christopher Walken

John Cazale

John Savage

Meryl Streep

George Dzundza

Rutanya Alda

Pierre Segui

Amy Wright

Richard Kuss

Joe Grifasi

Dennis Watlington

Shirley Stoler

Chuck Aspegren

Mary Ann Haenel

Mady Kaplan

Paul D'Amato

Christopher Colombi Jr.

Victoria Karnafel

Jack Scardino

Joe Strnad

Helen Tomko

Charlene Darrow

Jane-Colette Disko

Michael Wollet

Robert Beard

Joe Dzizmba

Stephen Kopestonsky

John F. Buchmelter III

Frank Devore

Tom Becker

Lynn Kongkham

Nongnuj Timruang

Po Pao Pee

Dale Burroughs

Parris Hicks

Samui Muang-Intata

Sapox Colisium

Vitoon Winwitoon

Somsak Sengvilai

Charan Nusvanon

Jiam Gongtongsmoot

Chai Peyawan

Mana Hansa

Sombot Jumpanoi

Phip Manee

Ding Santos

Krieng Chaiyapuk

Ot Palapoo

Chok Chai Mahasoke

Joel Thingvall

Gary A. Jones

Michael Cimino

Michael Deeley

John Peverall

Barry Spikings

Vilmos Zsigmond

Peter Zinner

Cis Corman

Ron Hobbs

Kim Swados

Gus Basso

Harold McConnell

George Stokes

Mickey Woods

Donald L. Bolger

James J. Klinger

Stephen Katz

Buddy Van Horn

Carey Loftin

Eric Seelig

Frank 'Cat' Ballou

Arthur Dunne

Frank Ernst

June Samson

M.R. Boonyalak Sukawasdi

Mary Keats

Del Acevedo

Edwin Butterworth

Claude Binyon Jr.

Teri E. Dorman

James Fritch

William L. McCaughey

Richard Portman

Frank M. Reale

Aaron Rochin

Enrique Bravo

Nick McLean

Fred Schuler

Greer Cavagnaro

Katrina Franken

Wynn Hammer

Dieter Ludwig

Rick Martens

Robert Werden

Quinn K. Redeker

Deric Washburn

Louis Garfinkle

Stanley Myers

Troy Melton

Keith Kelsay

Dick Smith

Drama

The Deer Hunter

Universal Pictures

EMI Films

United Kingdom

United States of America

English

Français

Pусский

Tiếng Việt

vietnam veteran

small town

suicide

vietnam

post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd)

escape

pennsylvania, usa

saigon

friends

russian roulette

wedding

deer hunting

steel worker

anti war

revolver

drunkenness

viet cong

romantic triangle

friends love same woman

prisoner of war camp

slavic american

Andres Gomez

Slow pace movie which nicely depicts the life of worker class Russian inmigrants in USA and the impact that its young generation receives from Vietnam's war.

The actual shock cause being the crazy game of the Russian roulette only helps from the artistic point of view of the film but it is well blended into the actual story.

With director Cimino's recent death and his reputation in tatters since the debacle of 'Heaven's Gate', I decided to visit 'The Deer Hunter'. Though over three hours long, it's astonishing, paced so achingly right and I can see why he rightfully earned the 'carte blanche' that would unfortunately lead to his downfall (as well as an entire studio's) as soon as he made his next film. But to reach such heights and to have such ambition--as well as undeniable talent--is a victory in and of itself. Just armed with the main five actors alone, at the zenith of their craft, a fine script (really the first interesting and well-deliberated Vietnam film to hit the big screen) and Vilmos Zsigmond behind the camera meant that this would prove something special. Scenes that will haunt you forever. My favourite shot is the incredible 360-degree pan shot around Linda's bedroom when she realizes she's given up on Nick and is going to declare her love to Michael--extraordinary stuff. What's YOURS?

Many film lovers who despise Cimino's work instantly clam up when 'The Deer Hunter' is mentioned...and there's a reason for that. It's deservedly considered one of the finest American films of the 70's--a decade that was chock-full of great ones.

The Deer Hunter (1978) — Excellent character war drama that showcases some great performances, mainly De Niro and Walken. Directed by Michael Cimino, this 3-hour film takes its time developing these characters and shows the psychological side of the horrors of Vietnam, and war in general. Probably makes a good companion film with Apocalypse Now, released only seven months later (in the U.S.). **4.5/5**

CinemaSerf

Did Michael Cimino ever make another movie? I wouldn't be surprised if not after this harrowing and intense look at the human psyche after it's exposure to the brutalities of war. The war was in Vietnam, and the protagonists here are those who survived - to varying degrees - to return home to what they hope will be some sort of normality. To some semblance of what they left behind. To some humanity. The three men all come from an Ohio sawmill town via some Eastern Europe antecedence, and they willingly enlist to fight for their country "Michael" (Robert De Niro), "Nicky" (Christopher Walken) and "Steven" (John Savage). It's the latter man who has just got married and so who feels a great wrench when they are almost summarily deployed. That deployment sees them captured, tortured and exposed to the most deadly game of Russian roulette you're ever likely to witness. The narrative now splices a little so we can follow the three character's individual experiences in escaping and trying to get home. The way the threads weave here is hugely impactful on the presentation of the story to the audience. The characterful efforts - especially from Savage, and a really taut and considered direction allow us to observe the impact of the conflict not just on the men - physically, emotionally and psychologically; but on those left behind. Those epitomised by "Linda" (Meryl Streep) whose needs are torn between loyalty to those absent and need for comfort from those not. It's not meant to be an history, cinematic licence abounds. This is essentially a darkly written observation of the consequences of war, or trauma and of loyalty. It could be about any war. These are not soldiers, they are barely-trained young men in uniform and the plot could just as readily apply to any other people drafted in to fight for a cause they didn't understand in a place they'd probably never heard of. Does it need to be three hours long? My jury is out on that. It does allow itself to meander at times, but the more I watch it the more I wonder if Cimino hasn't built in some necessary steam valves for us to rest from the intensity of the characterisations here. The intensity of the photography and Stanley Myers score - with some almost incongruous help from the guitar themed "Cavatina" by (the other) John Williams makes this as must for a big screen, makes you think a bit and certainly offers career best roles from Walken and Savage.

Meryl Streep on her character Linda in THE DEER HUNTER

Official Trailer

What Robert De Niro did for The Deer Hunter | BFI

The Deer Hunter( 1978)

God bless America.

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A review by Andres Gomez

Written by Andres Gomez on Fri Oct 10 2014

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