The Deer Hunter (1978)

An in-depth examination of the way that the Vietnam war affects the lives of people in a small industrial town in the USA.

Director:

Michael Cimino

Writers:

Michael Cimino (story), Deric Washburn (story),

Stars:

Robert De Niro, John Cazale, John Savage

Top 250 #134 | Won 5 Oscars. Another 21 wins & 17 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert De Niro	...	Michael
John Cazale	...	Stan
John Savage	...	Steven
Christopher Walken	...	Nick
Meryl Streep	...	Linda
George Dzundza	...	John
Chuck Aspegren	...	Axel
Shirley Stoler	...	Steven's Mother
Rutanya Alda	...	Angela
Pierre Segui	...	Julien
Mady Kaplan	...	Axel's Girl
Amy Wright	...	Bridesmaid
Mary Ann Haenel	...	Stan's Girl
Richard Kuss	...	Linda's Father
Joe Grifasi	...	Bandleader

Storyline

Michael, Steven and Nick are young factory workers from Pennsylvania who enlist into the Army to fight in Vietnam. Before they go, Steven marries the pregnant Angela and their wedding-party is also the men's farewell party. After some time and many horrors the three friends fall in the hands of the Vietcong and are brought to a prison camp in which they are forced to play Russian roulette against each other. Michael makes it possible for them to escape, but they soon get separated again.

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Plot Keywords:

vietnam | russian roulette | escape | pennsylvania | vietcong | 

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Taglines:

One of the most important and powerful films of all time!

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English Russian Vietnamese French

Release Date:

23 February 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die durch die Hölle gehen

Filming Locations:

993 N. 7th Street, Steubenville, Ohio, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

SEK 10,994,967 (Sweden)

Company Credits

Production Co:

EMI Films, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

182 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Roy Scheider was originally cast as Steven but withdrew from the production two weeks before the start of filming due to 'creative differences'.

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Goofs

When returning to the bar after the hunting trip, they are singing "Drop Kick Me Jesus (Through The Goalposts Of Life))" a Bobby Bare song released in 1976, long after the Vietnam War had ended.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Michael: Hey, watch out, Axel. We'll be calling him old fireballs after tonight.
Axel: Fuckin' A.
Michael: Not bad.

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Crazy Credits

We gratefully acknowledge the cooperation of our Thai crew in the production of "The Deer Hunter"

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Connections

Featured in AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies: America's Greatest Movies (1998)

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Soundtracks

"Midnight Train to Georgia"
(1973) (uncredited)
Written by Jim Weatherly
Performed by Gladys Knight & The Pips

User Reviews

Immense poignancy

I cannot fathom the absolute horror that war brings to a persons life, but never has a film depicted it more harrowing than The Deerhunter. At 182 minutes, it seemed to fly by, leaving me wanting more and wishing this would not end. all facets are explored, all people's emotions are laid bare, not just the combatants. If we obviously did not know better, one would have to say this was a British film, as it has all the best elements that British movie making displays. i can eulogise for hundreds of lines, but this really is the ONLY American movie i can think of (others? apart from taxi driver) that is RAW. A strange word i know but the movie oozes a raw edge to it. Immense performances from all concerned, and if i had to say, i believe i have not seen Christopher Walken in a better role. One of the very few films i deservedly give 10/10. A must for any collection and a stunning example of every aspect of film making coming together, albeit for a sombre depiction of life.