Opened: December 8, 1978

Directed by: Michael Cimino

Starring: Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, John Savage, John Cazale, Meryl Streep, George Dzundza, Pierre Segui, Shirley Stoler, Chuck Aspegren, Rutanya Alda, Paul D’Amato, Amy Wright & Joe Grifasi

Showing gritty details of three American soldiers during the Vietnam War, The Deer Hunter is a war story with hard-hitting emotions.

Three working class friends – Mike (Robert De Niro), Nick (Christopher Walken) and Steven (John Savage) – volunteer for military service in Vietnam. The war deeply disturbs all three.

The film features an amazing cast, several of whom had career-defining moments because of this. It was John Cazale’s final film before he succumbed to cancer, Walken’s only Oscar win and Meryl Streep’s first Oscar nomination. Walken’s brilliance is shown in the development of his character pre- and during war.

Though it clocks in over three hours, there’s great cinematography and intensity throughout that’ll keep you on edge. The many Russian roulette scenes are heart-pounding, while De Niro’s emotional stability is honest and raw.

Final say: War films don’t get much better. ★★★★★