The various POWs are forced to play Russian roulette for sadistic gambling sport in one of the most frightening, intense, controversial, morbidly powerful, and truly unforgettable sequences ever filmed.Ī decidedly bitter, realistic, and harrowing anti-war epic, “The Deer Hunter” goes in-depth to examine the liveliness of innocence and the tragic, shattering effects that war can impart. Seconds later, a bombing strike results in the trio being captured and imprisoned alongside South Vietnamese Army members in a watery bamboo dungeon. An army helicopter lands to unload Steven and Nick, who are surprised to locate the lone warrior.
And all three of the actors demonstrate award-worthy, powerful performances that are rarely matched onscreen.Īfter the final deer hunt, there’s a strikingly abrupt transition that finds Michael in the midst of combat, charred and bloodied on the battlefield, gradually regaining consciousness as explosions, death, and destruction erupt around him – just in time to activate a flamethrower against an enemy soldier.
All three main characters will be forced to adapt drastically to the brutality and pressures of war – one physically crumbling, one mentally buckling, and the third frenziedly enduring. Once the film transitions to Vietnam, the pace becomes fiercely breakneck. It’s an exhaustive but effective method of building character development and demonstrating contrast. Director Michael Cimino’s camera lingers for a long time on the five leads merrymaking, imbibing, listening to a good song, shooting pool, and generally enjoying themselves later, the wedding and the reception are detailed and scrutinized extensively. “Everything’s going so fast,” drunkenly slurs Mike, reminiscing over the moments leading up to their wartime embarkation, which is the exact opposite of the numerous but purposeful minutes actually extended to showcase idiosyncrasies and personas. The following day, the gang, excluding the newlywed, go deer hunting one last time, where it is again reiterated that Michael will be the best suited for the harsh environment into which the unwitting trio will shortly be plunged. Patriotic and anxious, they couldn’t be less prepared for the atrocities they’ll soon encounter. Steve, Mike, and Nick are all set for military service in the Vietnam War, shipping out right after the weekend, enthusiastic about engaging in battle and dropping in where the bullets are flying. Stanley (John Cazale) is more serious and less playful, noticeably annoyed and momentarily violent during the festivities John (George Dzundza) is clownish and quick to laugh at everything and Axel (Chuck Aspegren) is the burly, bear-like goof. At the wedding, he can barely contain himself, and it doesn’t go entirely unnoticed. Nick (Christopher Walken) is his trusted partner quieter and calm and the only one he appreciates hunting with Nick’s girlfriend Linda (Meryl Streep), a bridesmaid who readies herself by waiting on her drunk father and taking a beating for her troubles, is secretly fancied by Mike. Mike Vronsky (Robert De Niro) is the tough-love-believing, levelheaded one, a natural leader who daydreams of deer hunting and the ultimate goal of killing the animal with a single, humane shot. Rather lengthy opening sequence demonstrates the extreme conditions inside a Pennsylvania steel mill and the spirited attitudes and camaraderie of five reveling laborers anxious to down a few beers in preparation for Steven’s (John Savage) marriage that evening to Angela (Rutanya Alda), who is pregnant by another man. Release Date: December 8th, 1978 MPAA Rating: Rĭirector: Michael Cimino Actors: Robert De Niro, John Cazale, John Savage, Christopher Walken, Meryl Streep, George Dzundza, Rutanya Alda A