The Deer Hunter

Genre: Drama/War

PLOT:
The Deer Hunter is a movie about three men, steelworkers from Pennsylvania, whose lives are changed irrevocably in the tragic devastation of the Vietnam war. When Michael, Stephen and Nick are captured by the Vietcong, they are forced to play Russian Roulette by their brutal captors, who make bets on their survival. The experiance of capture leaves them with terrible physical and spiritual wounds and when Michael returns to Saigon to fulfil an old vow to one of his friends, he makes an unexpected, horrific discovery...

INTEREST AND ORIGINALITY:
The story behind the movie is not all that original, I have come across plenty of movies showing the devastation that war causes. It is original in the aspect that very little time is dedicated to the actual war. A huge amount of the movie is geared toward the bond that the characters share.
I was drawn to the movie because of this, i'd grown tired of carnage and gore in war movies, and was relieved to have found something with a little more heart.
ORIGINALITY: 2/5 INTEREST 3/5 = 5/10

PART 2 TO COME LATER...

Wow ... I have never heard of this movie and it does sound very interesting to me. I think war movies are kind of cool, but some are so boring. I do love Platoon, one of my favorite war movies, but Im going to have to check this movie out somtime.

Thanks much for the information. ;)

Danielle - Natatou

A lot of people think this is a boring movie. Its around three hours, and there's not a lot of action, but its well worth it. The story of the characters is truly amazing!

Here's another part of my review.

MAIN CAST:
Robert De Niro- Michael
Christopher Walken-Nick
John Savage- Stephen
Meryl Streep- Linda.

STAR QUAILITY:
A top notch cast in this movie, with superb performances from all involved. The emotion shown by each actor leaves a lasting impression. The rawness of it, is somewhat disturbing. Some scenes of the movie where improvised and some bloopers where used, which also gives the acting a more realistic effect.
Some amazing lengths where reached to make the tension higher. Robert De Niro for instance, suggested using a live bullet in the Russian Roulette scenes to highten the fear.
5/5

PART THREE LATER...

He suggested a live bullet? Interesting. :lol:

Danielle - Natatou

What makes it even more interesting was that they actually went for it. Of course they checked the thing a million times to make sure the bullet wasn't in the chamber that was going to be fired....but can you imagine the other actors faces when he sprung that on them :lol:

MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GENERAL MOVIE INFO:
SCRIPT:
Yet another great effort here. The script really brings along the character development. In the early scenes of the movie, you feel like your among a bunch of friends. The script isn't trying to impress, its just a group of lads having a laugh. Throughout the movie infact, the script doesn't try to surpass itself. There is no need, the emotion of the scenes carry it off without clever writing. 10/10

LOCATIONS AND DESIGN
First things first there is no set design in this movie for the simple reason it was all shot on real locations. So surely that grants full marks all on its own! Location wise the film was shot in mainly Thailand and the USA. The locations all look perfect for the movie. From the homely bar where the characters seem to spend large quantities of time drunk, the beautiful mountians where they do the hunting, and the dark atmospheriac streets of Saigon. 10/10

SPECIAL EFFECTS:
Again top marks. All explosions and any effect stuff where carried out for real. No computer effects, thus the film feels much more realistic. Even the helicopter scene was done by the three actors without the use of stunt men. Just another example of the dedication put into this movie! 10/10

MUSIC:
Just when will this movie fail? The music of the movie is magical. When you slip the DVD on and the beautiful movie from the opening credits rolls, you know your in for one emotional ride.
In the wedding scene there is also great music, that makes you want to get up and dance alongside the cast... just beautiful 10/10

PART FOUR LATER...

Yeah, I can just imagine their faces. :lol:

Thanks for all of the information - even though they may be spoilers. I think it is cool they got a 10 out of 10 on everything. Special effects sound awesome.
I am liking this movie more and more I read more about it.

Natatou

THE DVD

DVD ARTWORK:
This is the cover of the DVD I have (although you can get many variations)

Its nice and simple, although wouldn't really catch my eye.
6/10

DVD EXTRAS:
Again this is on my DVD, I cant tell you what extras might be on other versions.
° Audio Commentary - 1. Michael Cimino - Director
° Trailer - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
° Documentaries - 1. REALISING THE DEER HUNTER
° 2. SHOOTING THE DEER HUNTER
° 3. PLAYING THE DEER HUNTER
° Stills Gallery
Its not a bad little package, but it feels like not a lot of effort went into the special features.
Although I suppose in 1978 they didn't think to do a behind the scenes documentry, considering DVD's were in nobodys head.
5/10

INFORMATION BOOKLET
There was no booklet supplied in my copy
0/10

PRICE:
I forked out £7.99 for my copy, so your not going to shell out a whole lot. I've seen it online for £4.99. A real bargin (hint hint)
10/10

OVERALL: 71/100
In my opinion the greastest Christopher Walken movie ever made, and I dont think it will be surpassed in my head anyway. A long film, yes but well worth it. I suggest watching it on your own, draw the curtains, get a few beers and just focus on the masterpiece in front of you. The truth be told you will either love it or hate it. The only thing that lets it down in this review is the DVD package, but that is so unimportant in a movie like this. It would score the whole 100 in my eyes.