The Deer Hunter

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The Deer Hunter

R

1978

3h 3m

War

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

129 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

In 1968, Michael (Robert De Niro), Nick (Christopher Walken) and Steven (John Savage), lifelong friends from a working-class Pennsylvania steel town, prepare to ship out overseas following Steven's elaborate wedding and one final group hunting trip. In Vietnam, their dreams of military honor are quickly shattered by the inhumanities of war; even those who survive are haunted by the experience, as is Nick's hometown sweetheart, Linda (Meryl Streep).

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Critics 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.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

... Perhaps a little cumbersome, but it’s hard not to get caught up in the film’s big, sentimental sweep.

Nov 29, 2022

Full Review

Stanley Kauffmann

The New Republic

So many of the elements are so good that it all adds up to a pity. Someone, or more than one -- writer or producers or director or editor or all -- fogged up about why this picture was being made and whether it was on the rails.

Aug 30, 2022

Full Review

Charles Champlin

Los Angeles Times

A film to be debated and argued over seriously because it is an earnest, serious and impressive work, despite the reservations it is necessary to have about it. In a thin and evasive year, The Deer Hunter joins a thin company that aspire to greatness.

Aug 30, 2022

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Sean Burns

Crooked Marquee

There’s something elemental about the movie’s boys’ adventure machismo, a primal force that overpowers Cimino’s more cartoonish flourishes.

Nov 22, 2023

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Mark Johnson

Awards Daily

Michael Cimino’s tale about the physical, emotional, and psychological impacts the Vietnam War had on a group of friends remains one of film's ultimate masterpieces. Very few movies have ever captured the unsparing aftermath of war quite as devastatingly.

Jun 8, 2023

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Richard Corliss

New Times (magazine)

It grabs you by the lapel and says, "Call me masterpiece!"... These weaknesses are The Deer Hunter's greatest strength -- because, in a year of timid moviemaking, they trumpet the film's daring to fail at being great.

Sep 7, 2022

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Kimmo K

The russian roulette scenes were intense, but the film as a whole was way too long.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/21/25

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Jack F

Not your typical war movie. Those caged roulette scenes were really intense.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/17/25

Full Review

Harold C.

A long but rewarding watch, this heavy character study thrives on powerhouse performances and a balance of intimacy and intensity, leaving behind not just iconic moments but a lasting reflection on friendship, trauma, and the cost of war.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/29/25

Full Review

Sean M

Horrible, boring film. It's one big advertisement for Rolling Rock beer. Slow and not worth your time. The whole Russian roulette theme was so cringe. Don't waste your time. Not worth the hype. There was no reason why this had to be 3 hours long.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/08/25

Full Review

Maddox G.

Best Vietnam war movie and war movie and movie movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/21/25

Full Review

David M.

One of the Greats. Only its length keeps it from being included in top lists as much as the Godfather and other masterpieces. Name for me another more harrowing, claustrophobic, and stressful scene than the Russian Roulette one. Every smack to De Niro’s head and face is felt by the viewer. The beginning in Pennsylvania before they are shipped off to Vietnam is a bit long and labored for the casual viewer, but for movie lovers, it it’s well worth the slow burn. And don’t even get me start on John Cazale’s legacy in his final picture.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/25/25

Full Review

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Michael Cimino

Director

Robert De Niro

Michael Vronsky

Christopher Walken

Nick

John Savage

Steven

John Cazale

Stanley "Stosh"

Meryl Streep

Linda

The Deer Hunter: Official Clip - One Last Shot

2:59

The Deer Hunter: Official Clip - God Bless America

2:57

The Deer Hunter: Official Clip - Russian Roulette

3:19

The Deer Hunter: Official Clip - The Deer Hunter

4:13

The Deer Hunter: Official Clip - Rescued in Vain

3:00

The Deer Hunter: Official Clip - Killing a Deer

2:30

The Deer Hunter: Official Clip - This Is This

2:56

The Deer Hunter: Official Clip - Green Beret

2:11

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Synopsis

In 1968, Michael (Robert De Niro), Nick (Christopher Walken) and Steven (John Savage), lifelong friends from a working-class Pennsylvania steel town, prepare to ship out overseas following Steven's elaborate wedding and one final group hunting trip. In Vietnam, their dreams of military honor are quickly shattered by the inhumanities of war; even those who survive are haunted by the experience, as is Nick's hometown sweetheart, Linda (Meryl Streep).

Director: Michael Cimino
Producer: Michael Cimino, Michael Deeley, Barry Spikings
Screenwriter: Michael Cimino, Deric Washburn
Distributor: Universal Pictures, MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: War, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 8, 1978, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 2, 2016
Runtime: 3h 3m
Sound Mix: Surround

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