Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop Rated MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop Rated ShowsMost Popular ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersGolden GlobesEmmysHispanic & Latino VoicesSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
    AllTitlesTV EpisodesCelebsCompaniesKeywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In

The Deer Hunter

  • 19781978
  • RR
  • 3h 3min
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
325K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,269
233
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Robert De Niro in The Deer Hunter (1978)
Theatrical Trailer from Universal Pictures
Play trailer2:45
5 Videos
99+ Photos
DramaWar

An in-depth examination of the ways in which the Vietnam War impacts and disrupts the lives of several friends in a small steel mill town in Pennsylvania.An in-depth examination of the ways in which the Vietnam War impacts and disrupts the lives of several friends in a small steel mill town in Pennsylvania.An in-depth examination of the ways in which the Vietnam War impacts and disrupts the lives of several friends in a small steel mill town in Pennsylvania.

IMDb RATING
8.1/10
325K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,269
233
  • Director
    • Michael Cimino
  • Writers
    • Michael Cimino(story)
    • Deric Washburn(story)
    • Louis Garfinkle(story)
  • Stars
    • Robert De Niro
    • Christopher Walken
    • John Cazale
Top credits
  • Director
    • Michael Cimino
  • Writers
    • Michael Cimino(story)
    • Deric Washburn(story)
    • Louis Garfinkle(story)
  • Stars
    • Robert De Niro
    • Christopher Walken
    • John Cazale
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1.1KUser reviews
    • 143Critic reviews
    • 86Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #185
    • Won 5 Oscars
      • 24 wins & 27 nominations total

    Videos5

    The Deer Hunter
    Trailer 2:45
    The Deer Hunter
    Who Are the "Hunters"?
    Clip 3:20
    Who Are the "Hunters"?
    25 Movies That Almost Starred Robert De Niro
    Video 3:08
    25 Movies That Almost Starred Robert De Niro
    Which Movie Scarred Charlize Theron for Life?
    Video 1:52
    Which Movie Scarred Charlize Theron for Life?
    'The Deer Hunter' | Anniversary Mashup
    Video 1:18
    'The Deer Hunter' | Anniversary Mashup

    Photos240

    Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, John Cazale, John Savage, and Chuck Aspegren in The Deer Hunter (1978)
    Christopher Walken in The Deer Hunter (1978)
    Meryl Streep in The Deer Hunter (1978)
    Robert De Niro and John Savage in The Deer Hunter (1978)
    Christopher Walken in The Deer Hunter (1978)
    Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, John Cazale, John Savage, and Chuck Aspegren in The Deer Hunter (1978)
    Robert De Niro in The Deer Hunter (1978)
    Christopher Walken, John Cazale, John Savage, Rutanya Alda, and Wynn Hammer in The Deer Hunter (1978)
    Robert De Niro in The Deer Hunter (1978)
    The Deer Hunter (1978)
    John Savage in The Deer Hunter (1978)
    John Savage and Rutanya Alda in The Deer Hunter (1978)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robert De Niro
    Robert De Niro
    • Michaelas Michael
    Christopher Walken
    Christopher Walken
    • Nickas Nick
    John Cazale
    John Cazale
    • Stanas Stan
    John Savage
    John Savage
    • Stevenas Steven
    Meryl Streep
    Meryl Streep
    • Lindaas Linda
    George Dzundza
    George Dzundza
    • Johnas John
    Chuck Aspegren
    Chuck Aspegren
    • Axelas Axel
    Shirley Stoler
    Shirley Stoler
    • Steven's Motheras Steven's Mother
    Rutanya Alda
    Rutanya Alda
    • Angelaas Angela
    Pierre Segui
    • Julienas Julien
    Mady Kaplan
    Mady Kaplan
    • Axel's Girlas Axel's Girl
    Amy Wright
    Amy Wright
    • Bridesmaidas Bridesmaid
    Mary Ann Haenel
    Mary Ann Haenel
    • Stan's Girlas Stan's Girl
    Richard Kuss
    Richard Kuss
    • Linda's Fatheras Linda's Father
    Joe Grifasi
    Joe Grifasi
    • Bandleaderas Bandleader
    Christopher Colombi Jr.
    • Wedding Manas Wedding Man
    Victoria Karnafel
    • Sad Looking Girlas Sad Looking Girl
    Jack Scardino
    • Cold Old Manas Cold Old Man
    • Director
      • Michael Cimino
    • Writers
      • Michael Cimino(story)
      • Deric Washburn(story) (screenplay)
      • Louis Garfinkle(story)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    More like this

    Raging Bull
    8.2
    Raging Bull
    Platoon
    8.1
    Platoon
    Apocalypse Now
    8.4
    Apocalypse Now
    Full Metal Jacket
    8.3
    Full Metal Jacket
    Taxi Driver
    8.2
    Taxi Driver
    Casino
    8.2
    Casino
    Unforgiven
    8.2
    Unforgiven
    Heaven's Gate
    6.8
    Heaven's Gate
    Chinatown
    8.2
    Chinatown
    Fargo
    8.1
    Fargo
    Scarface
    8.3
    Scarface
    Lawrence of Arabia
    8.3
    Lawrence of Arabia

    Storyline

    Edit
    Michael, Steven and Nicky are 3 best friends who enjoy going deer hunting quite often. These men get enlisted to head to Vietnam to fight for their country and celebrate with a farewell party, as well as Steven marrying a pregnant woman named "Angela." After the horrors during the war and edge-grabbing games of Russian Roulette that these men are forced to play, Michael returns home and realizes that his deer hunting outings aren't the same as they used to be, because of the war and he eventually finds out that Steven is handicapped and Nicky hasn't returned from Vietnam, and in response, he heads back to Vietnam to rescue him. —Koen Versieck
    russian rouletteamerican imperialismpittsburgh steelersvietnam war veterandrunk309 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • One of the most important and powerful films of all time!
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • War
    • Certificate
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Co-writer and director Michael Cimino convinced Christopher Walken to spit in Robert De Niro's face. When Walken actually did it, De Niro was completely shocked, as evidenced by his reaction. In fact, De Niro was so furious about it, he nearly left the set. Cimino later said of Walken, "He's got courage!"
    • Goofs
      When Michael comes back from Vietnam he has a full beard while in uniform. He would not have been able to leave Vietnam in uniform until haircut and facial hair complies with uniform regulation AR 670-1.
    • Quotes

      Nick: I'm thinking about the deer. Going to 'Nam. I like the trees, you know? I like the way that the trees are on mountains, all the different... the way the trees are.

    • Crazy credits
      We gratefully acknowledge the cooperation of our Thai crew in the production of "The Deer Hunter"
    • Alternate versions
      The Region 2 Spain DVD is cut for violence.
    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: The China Syndrome/Fast Break/Once in Paris.../The Deer Hunter (1979)
    • Soundtracks
      Can't Take My Eyes Off You
      (1967) (uncredited)

      Written by Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe

      Performed by Frankie Valli

      Published by BMI Records

      by arrangement with Rhino Records Inc.

    User reviews1.1K

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    It was 1978 and everyone in the audience was about to wet their pants
    No, this is not the best film about the Vietnam War; it's hardly about Vietnam at all. The vets who don't like it have it wrong, as do the Vietnamese who found it racist. It could be any war, with any combatants. But because the (primary) victims here are recognizable American archetypes, Americans will feel this in their gut more than any other war film I know of. This is one of the very few post-war Hollywood films that shows a sincere reverence for the lives of small town Americans.

    After seeing it in a very high quality theater on its initial release, I walked out thinking it was easily one of the best movies I had ever seen - and that I never wanted to see it again. But I looked at it today on cable and found that not much had changed about it, or me. I don't want to see it again...but I want you to see it.

    Even now, the Russian Roulette scene (in context, people: watch all that comes before it first) is the single most intense sequence I've seen; it makes the end of "Reservoir Dogs" seem like a cartoon. Best Walken performance, period. Meryl Streep glows, DeNiro has seldom been more affecting. A unique classic...it is not surprising that Cimino didn't have another movie in him after something this wrenching.
    helpful•379
    107
    • yawn-2
    • Apr 6, 2006

    FAQ7

    • What does Michael mean when he says "This is this"?
    • How did Steve become a paraplegic?
    • What is 'The Deer Hunter' about?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 23, 1979 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (United States)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Vietnamese
      • French
      • Russian
      • Cantonese
    • Also known as
      • The Man Who Came to Play
    • Filming locations
      • St. Theodosius Russian Orthodox Church - 733 Starkweather Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
    • Production companies
      • EMI Films
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $15,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $48,979,328
    • Gross worldwide
      • $49,074,379
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 3h 3min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Related news

    7 Best War Movies About Lesser-Known Wars
    7 Best War Movies About Lesser-Known Wars
    Aug 23ScreenRant.com
    “Shershaah aspired to bring alive a true hero’s saga and did that very successfully”- A  Subhash  K Jha Review
    “Shershaah aspired to bring alive a true hero’s saga and did that very successfully”- A Subhash K Jha Review
    Aug 12Bollyspice

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Robert De Niro in The Deer Hunter (1978)
    Top Gap
    What is the Hindi language plot outline for The Deer Hunter (1978)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The Most Anticipated Prequels, Sequels, and Spin-Offs
    See the full list
    View list
    List
    Most Anticipated Netflix Releases
    See the full list

    Around the web

    Powered by Taboola

    Recently viewed

    You have no recently viewed pages
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2021 by IMDb.com, Inc.