The Deer Hunter

Rating: 10/10 (13 July 2005)

Many people consider this one of the great war films, it might not have the biggest amount of war in it, but it is certainly a great film from Oscar and Golden Globe winning, and BAFTA nominated director Michael Cimino. Basically it is all about four friends, and how they are all affected (in whatever way) by the Vietnam war, whether in it or not. The four Pennsylvanian steel factory worker friends: Michael Vronsky (Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated Robert De Niro), Stan 'Stosh' (The Godfather, Part II's John Cazale), Steven (John Savage) and Nick (Oscar winning, and BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated Christopher Walken) are dedicated to joining the war in Vietnam, and at Steven's marriage to pregnant bride Angela (Rutanya Alda), the wedding party also serves as a farewell before Michael, Steven and Nick depart. Then of course an explosion marks their time in Vietnam, and the horrors to come, as they are imprisoned by the Vietcong army. Steven is still in a cage, but Michael and nick are forced to play Russian roulette against each other (the most memorable and notable scene of the whole film, and two more games follow later). They manage to escape, and the rest of the film sees them separate, and we see mainly seeing trying to recuperate, while Steven is handicapped having lost his leg, and Nick is still in Vietnam, leaving his girlfriend Linda (Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated Meryl Streep, in her first major role) worrying. Of course Michael goes after him, and Nick is still playing Russian roulette, sending the reward to Steven, and tragically trying to bring him home Michael witnesses Nick losing, and the film ends with a funeral, a short song, and a toast to him. Also starring Basic Instinct's George Dzundza as John, Chuck Aspegren as Axel, Shirley Stoler as Steven's Mother, Pierre Segui as Julien, Mady Kaplan as Axel's Girl and Amy Wright as Bridesmaid. It may be long, but it is certainly worth it for the great performances (notably Walken), the Russian roulette scenes, and the wonderful guitar music by Stanley Myers. It won the Oscars for Best Film Editing, Best Sound and Best Picture, and it was nominated for Best Cinematography and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, it won the BAFTAs for Best Cinematography and Best Editing, and it was nominated for Best Film, Best Screenplay and Best Sound Track, and it was nominated the Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture - Drama and Best Screenplay. Meryl Streep was number 58, Christopher Walken number 34, and Robert De Niro number 2 on The 100 Greatest Movie Stars, De Niro was number 50 on The 100 Greatest Pop Culture Icons, and Streep was number 26, Walken number 14, and De Niro number 5 (along with Al Pacino) on The World's Greatest Actor, the film was number 30 on 100 Years, 100 Thrills, and it was number 12 on The 100 Greatest War Films. Outstanding!