The symbolic relationships in this film are subliminal masterpieces of the artform

Rating: Null/10 (18 January 2002)

There are few films which have such a powerful impact upon the viewer they remain burned into the mind long after seen. This is one of those. One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest, Psycho, American Beauty come to mind as others. The difference with this one that makes it even more impactful is the real life ties I have to connect with it allow me to understand it's actually a reflection of what I know to be real. I grew up close to the steel mill seen in the film. I went to the bars the characters in it go to. I drank the same drinks. Spent a weekend with close friends in the town they hunted for deer. Worked in the steel mills with veterans of the war and drafted #7 would have been there myself were it not for President Nixon ending the draft. I heard the stories and witnessed the affects it had on them. In 1978 I moved to LA to attend film school. One of my instuctors happened be in charge of a lab and worked with the cinematographer(Vilmos Zigmond)who shot the film and won the Academy Award for it. He explained the way they preflashed the film to get its look. Oh, and by the way, it was 1978. Now, having said all that, I must admit until recently I'd been missing the most important element in the storyline. And, I'd be willing to bet most others do, too. It's a powerful message that goes to the origins of this country and it's wars. After seeing the film dozens of times I thought I knew what it's message was. That's the thing about us Americans. We know. Or rather, we assume we know. The truth is, we all know what happens to anyone in business who assumes. Picture the symbolism as you assume the position, so to speak. Not a pretty sight. Much like what the characters in the film were forced to endure. And why? Well, that's what this film is all about. The answer is so obvious and clear, yet we miss it. Man...it's our nature.
I happened to be reading a book which dealt with Native American beliefs, legend, and earth spirits. It identified symbolic ties to various animals and how to decipher thier meanings. Suddenly, it all became clear. The depth of this film. They burning into ones mind. The lessons continuing to go unlearned. How much more obvious can they get? This is a film you can never see enough of because you always see more than before. Next time you watch it understand it from the point of view given by those who tried to help the people arriving from foreign shores knowing the ways of this land. Forget about what you've been led to believe is right..as told by those who left one place to get away from something and then imposed that very same law on those in the place they'd arrived..including themselves. The more things change, the more they stay the same. The message in this film is about two sides at war. It's about battles fought amongst and within men. It's about strength of will allowing some to become the better for having had the experience..and how nature and evolution deal with the rest. It's not pretty..and yet.. it's beautiful. Who are the opposing forces? On the surface it seems obvious. And it is obvious. So obvious they named them both in the film's title. The deer vs. the hunter. The denouement couldn't be any clearer. It's revealed when DeNiro's character(the strongest willed man returning from battle) returns to hunt the deer with his old friends. It's told in his line when having him in his sights. It's shown when he purposely fires over his assumed target. It's heard loud and clear in his screaming out to that earth spirit..."Yeah,I hear you! I hear you!" And, his voice echoes throughout the canyon. Echoes that remind one of yesterday..and go on today. What a marvelous film. And, God is it real. Notice how they went to war..when? Right after killing the deer. Mother Nature sure uses powerful teaching tools, doesn't she? Talk about a tough test. Peace.