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)

Nov 29, 2022

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Chris

Mar 21, 2026

beautiful cinematic experience, I'm glad I finally watched it on the big screen

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Jeremy P

@Jezza_Linko 4 days ago

pretty damn good movie based on true story relatively long three hours and three minutes!

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 11, 2026

The Deer Hunter = a 4.5 star Movie...

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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.

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bruce F

@bruce999 Aug 15, 2026

few films have this much magnetism. enjoyable, the whole way.

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Stuart B

@RT33432491 Jul 23, 2026

One of the films of my long lifetime. Mesmerising, atmospheric , scary, beautifully filmed and wonderfully acted. I will never get Christopher Walken's face out of my head from the Russian roulette scenes. Heartbreaking. A must watch.

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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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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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