The Deer Hunter (1978)

VHS CASE/ SIDE

Length of film: 183 Minutes

Rated: X

Genre: War, Drama

Director: Michael Cimino

Starring: Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, John Cazale, John Savage, Meryl Streep, George Dzundza, Chuck Aspegren

IMDB Rank: 8.1 /10

Part 1 Time:  68 Minutes

Part 2 Time:  115 Minutes

*** The VHS does include an official intermission card (taken out of DVD releases) at 96 minutes where Michael (Robert De Niro) leaves Steven (John Savage) with American medical officers. However many theatrical screenings of the film put an intermission point prior to Michael, Nick (Christopher Walken), and Steven leaving for Vietnam. This seems like a more logical intermission as the film is split between Pennsylvania and Vietnam.

Where does the first part end? Nick, Michael, Stan (John Cazale), Steven, John (George Dzundza), and Axel (Chuck Aspegren) celebrate at John’s bar following a successful hunting trip.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: The group sings; “Straight through the heart of them, righteous uprights,” lyrics from the song ‘Drop Kick Me Jesus’ by Bobby Bare. The remaining minute prior to the intermission they listen to John playing the piano.

First line of dialogue on the second part: In Vietnam, a village is bombed it takes 3 minutes for dialogue as Nick (travelling on a helicopter) yells, “unbelievable!”

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal, up to this point we have been introduced to the strong friendship of Nick, Michael, Stan, Steven, John, and Axel. With Nick, Michael and Stan leaving for the Vietnam war how will this life altering event change character dynamics?

Which part is better? Part one is deliberate and slow-paced as it focuses solely on character development. Much of part one is Steven’s wedding, which some viewers may find drawn out, however this focus on character relationships helps to bring emotional weight to Nick, Steven and Michael as they navigate war. Part two is much more intense and emotionally devastating, showing the psychological effects during and after war. The ‘Russian roulette’ scenes are so suspenseful and terrifying (even on subsequent viewings) that it is hard not to see part two as the stronger of the two.

Academy Awards: 1979- Best Picture (Winner), Best Leading Actor (Nominated- Robert De Niro), Best Supporting Actor (Winner- Christopher Walken), Best Supporting Actress (Nominated- Meryl Streep), Best Director (Winner)

Other Awards: 1980 BAFTA– Best Actor (Nominated- Robert De Niro), Best Actress (Nominated- Meryl Streep), Best Cinematography (Winner), Best Direction (Nominated), Best Editing (Winner), Best Film (Nominated), Best Screenplay (Nominated), Best Sound Track (Nominated), Best Supporting Actor (Nominated- Christopher Walken); 1979 Golden Globes- Best Drama Motion Picture (Nominated), Best Director (Winner), Best Drama Actor (Nominated- Robert De Niro), Best Supporting Actor (Nominated- Christopher Walken), Best Supporting Actress (Nominated- Meryl Streep), Best Screenplay (Nominated)

National Film Registry: 1996