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Movies / On DVD / The Deer Hunter
The Deer Hunter

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The Deer Hunter (1978)

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91 %
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Reviews Counted: 43

Fresh: 39

Rotten:4

Average Rating: 8.4/10

Consensus: Its greatness is blunted by its length and one-sided point of view, but the film's weaknesses are overpowered by Michael Cimino's sympathetic direction and a series of heartbreaking performances from Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, and Christopher Walken.

Runtime: 3 hrs 4 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: An epic three-hour tale of lives forever changed by the Vietnam War, THE DEER HUNTER follows the transformation of a tight group of friends from a working-class town, taking its place alongside... An epic three-hour tale of lives forever changed by the Vietnam War, THE DEER HUNTER follows the transformation of a tight group of friends from a working-class town, taking its place alongside such classics as ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT in telling a story of war and disillusionment. On the eve of going to war, Michael (Robert De Niro), Nick (Christopher Walken), and Steven (John Savage) gather for Steven's wedding. Leaving Steven to his wedding night, Mike, Nick, and pals Axel (Chuck Aspergren), Stan (John Cazale), and John (George Dzundza) depart for the mountains and one last hunting trip. The hunting trip is a funny, poignant scene that firmly establishes the characters as they set off for Vietnam immediately after the trip. The scenes in Vietnam, especially the Russian roulette game, are among the most brutal war scenes on film. The characters' eventual return to the States is emotional and gut-wrenching. Michael Cimino's award-winning film is a powerful look at friendship and love in the midst of war. [More]

Starring: Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, Christopher Walken, John Savage

Starring: Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, Christopher Walken, John Savage, John Cazale, George Dzundza, Chuck Aspegren, Shirley Stoler, Rutanya Alda

Director: Michael Cimino

Director: Michael Cimino
Screenwriter: Deric Washburn
Producer: Barry Spikings, Michael Deeley, Michael Cimino, John Peverall
Composer: Stanley Myers

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Dec 26, 2006

[DVD Details]
 
 

HD DVD Features:

  • Snap Case
  • Widescreen 2.35

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 Surround - English
  • Dolby Digital Plus 2.0 Stereo - Spanish
  • Subtitles - English (SDH), French, Spanish

Additional Release Material:

  • Feature Commentary: Vilmos Zsigmond - Cinematographer; Bob Fisher - Film Journalist
  • Deleted and Extended Scenes
  • Trailer - Theatrical Trailer

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Reviews for The Deer Hunter

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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Ratings Image

The first half and second half of the film couldn't be more different but that is the genius behind the film.

comment Comment
08/03/08
Kevin McCarthy
BDK Reviews (CBS Radio)
Ratings Image

The film is ambitious and it succeeds on a number of levels and it proves that Cimino is an important director who deserves to be watched carefully.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
02/20/08
Charles Schreger
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image

No review available.

comment Comment
11/02/07
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
Ratings Image

Most fascinating of all is the apparent limitlessness of Cimino's megalomania.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
09/25/07
Anton Bitel
Channel 4 Film
Ratings Image

Like an honorable soldier, Cazale gave everything he had for a cause in which he believed.

Full Review Source: Arizona Daily Star | comment Comment
07/08/07
Phil Villarreal
Arizona Daily Star
Ratings Image

Gauging the shifting moods of the 1970s, this tale of life and love disrupted by war is as arresting as a bullet to the brain.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
06/13/07
Anton Bitel
Channel 4 Film
Ratings Image

A disgusting account of what the evil Vietnamese did to poor, innocent Americans stands at the center of this Oscar-laden weepie about macho buddies from a small industrial town.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment 21 Comments
12/13/06
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image

A visceral film that says volumes about the horrors of war and its impact on the lives of typically well adjusted people.

Full Review Source: Oscar Guy | comment Comment
12/13/06
Wesley Lovell
Oscar Guy
Ratings Image

This is probably one of the few great films of the decade.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
Ratings Image

No review available.

comment Comment
07/02/05
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Ratings Image

No review available.

comment Comment
11/22/04
John Esther
Pasadena Weekly
Ratings Image

It is a heartbreakingly effective fictional machine that evokes the agony of the Vietnam time.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
10/23/04
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image

No review available.

comment Comment
10/08/04
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews
Ratings Image

No review available.

comment Comment
09/09/04
Nell Minow
Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Ratings Image

A simultaneuosly touching and harrowing experience that puts the audience directly in the shoes of one man's experience of Vietnam.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
08/04/04
Colin Kennedy
Empire Magazine
Ratings Image

No review available.

comment Comment
07/08/04
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Ratings Image

No review available.

comment Comment
06/17/04
Randy Shulman
Metro Weekly (Washington, DC)
Ratings Image

a hollow movie that only play-acted at meaning; the sucker was us.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment 14 Comments
04/04/04
Mark Athitakis
Filmcritic.com
Ratings Image

No review available.

comment Comment
11/11/03
Jules Brenner
Cinema Signals
Ratings Image

Draggy and devastating by turns

comment Comment
10/19/03
Tim Robey
Daily Telegraph
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Latest News for The Deer Hunter

June 22, 2007: AFI Announces Top 100 Movies of All Time ... Again
Ten years ago the AFI gave us a list of the Top 100 American Films Ever Made -- and when that was done they churned out 15 other lists every few years. And then last night they... More...

October 10, 2005: Uwe Boll Talks Dungeon Siege, Bloodrayne, and More.
Director Uwe Boll was kind enough to take time away from filming "Dungeon Siege" to answer a few questions about projects, past, present, and future for Skewed and... More...

June 16, 2005: De Niro and Streep Sign Up for "First Man"
Variety indicates that Robert De Niro ("Hide and Seek") and Meryl Streep ("Adaptation") will co-star in Disney's "First Man." Screenwriter Diane... More...

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