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The Deer Hunter

Play trailer Poster for The Deer Hunter R 1978 3h 3m War Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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The Deer Hunter

The Deer Hunter

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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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Critics Reviews

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Wendy Ide The Times (UK) Nov 29, 2022
... Perhaps a little cumbersome, but it’s hard not to get caught up in the film’s big, sentimental sweep. Go to Full Review Stanley Kauffmann The New Republic Aug 30, 2022
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. Go to Full Review Charles Champlin Los Angeles Times Aug 30, 2022
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. Go to Full Review Richard Freedman Newark Star-Ledger Jan 12, 2026
It is a flawed but important movie, both as a work of art and for what it has to tell us about ourselves. Go to Full Review Sean Burns Crooked Marquee Nov 22, 2023
There’s something elemental about the movie’s boys’ adventure machismo, a primal force that overpowers Cimino’s more cartoonish flourishes. Go to Full Review Mark Johnson Awards Daily Jun 8, 2023
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Chris Mar 21, 2026 beautiful cinematic experience, I'm glad I finally watched it on the big screen See more Luke M @LukeCoolHand 6 days ago The Deer Hunter remains a powerful artifact of Vietnam-era cinema, though its classic status feels slightly overblown when allegorical drama overrides basic realism. ​What works best is how heavily Michael Cimino side-steps traditional combat to focus on the psychological trauma of capture and the harrowing Russian roulette sequences. The war isn't framed through military tactics, but through pure, suffocating chance. De Niro and Walken are exceptional as men fundamentally broken by war, while Meryl Streep gives a wonderfully tender, grounding performance. ​However, for all the atmospheric detail in the opening steel-mill town, the film's geography completely unravels in the mountains. Substituting the gentle Appalachians with the sharp, alpine North Cascades—and featuring a European Red Deer instead of an Appalachian whitetail—instantly pulls you out of an otherwise grounded character study. See more Jeremy P @Jezza_Linko Sep 19, 2026 pretty damn good movie based on true story relatively long three hours and three minutes! See more Robert P @Superbad Sep 11, 2026 The Deer Hunter = a 4.5 star Movie... See more Max M @Househuntermax Aug 23, 2026 I’m sure it was an important film of its time. But it’s overall very down and not a pleasant movie to watch at times. Probably could’ve been told in an even two hours as well. It’s a classic so I’d recommend you see it for that at least. See more bruce F @bruce999 Aug 15, 2026 few films have this much magnetism. enjoyable, the whole way. See more Read all reviews
The Deer Hunter

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Cast & Crew

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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

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The Deer Hunter

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The Deer Hunter

Robert De Niro as Michael in "The Deer Hunter." The Deer Hunter (1978) The Deer Hunter (1978) The Deer Hunter (1978) View more photos

Movie Info

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 Deeley, Barry Spikings
Screenwriter
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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