An intense and powerful movie

Rating: 9/10 (21 February 2015)

A strong friendship facing the horrors of war. The carefree pace of life of Michael, Nick and Steven, 3 steelworkers in the little town of Clayton is disrupted by the hell of Vietnam War. A dramatic movie, showing the psychological effects of war, which prevent the three men from fitting back into society.
Definitely a strong movie which does not need countless bloody scenes to catch public attention. The film actually focused on life before and after the military period ; if the first part of the movie may seem quite long or even boring, it is with the aim of intensifying this contrast.
As the first movie which openly tackles Vietnam war, Cimino's film definitely ended the time of heroic portrayal of soldiers. Although 'The Deer Hunter' did not show PTSD as clearly as Rambo will do, the apparent-return-to-a-normal-life scenes somehow accentuates the uneasiness and make it more real.
Let us not forget several incredibly powerful scenes which widely contributed to the success of 'The Deer Hunter'. The shots of the deer hunting scenes combined with a beautiful soundtrack are absolutely praiseworthy and the tension of the notorious Russian Roulette scene is definitely unbearable.
Nevertheless, this representation of Vietcong as the absolute evil torturing enemies through cruel games like Russian roulette -which existence has besides never been testified- lacks of realism and reminds the public that Vietnam war is viewed from the American angle after all.
Anyway, 'The Deer Hunter' is a memorable film, which goes further than battle scenes but straight in the public mind and heart.