Luke
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CibbuanoThe Deer Hunter
August 11th 2006 05:58
The Deer Hunter (1978)
Regarded as one of the best films of it's time (whether that means the 70s or the 20th century I can't really tell you), the Deer Hunter is an emotionally epic tale of three Pennsylvanian steel-workers who go to war in Vietnam. The film clocks in at nearly 3 hours, and takes place in three parts – before the war, during the war, and after the war.
Well. Robert De Niro - he rules doesn't he? This is made during his prime, and he does a great job with the lead character. Christopher Walken is equally impressive in his supporting role, and rightfully won an Oscar for his intense portrayal of post-traumatic syndrome run riot. And as the film shows us the characters before, during, and after their experiences in Vietnam, we see in detail how the war has affected them.
It starts slow, but this helps sets the pace. The movie is never really political. The characters never question what they are doing, this is not what the film is about. The scenes in Vietnam are some of the most harrowing scenes ever committed to film. Russian Roulette features heavily throughout, and you won't feel quite the same once the film is finished because of it.
A few days ago I spoke about The Exorcist and how I wasn’t really all that scared by it. Well, this is the kind of film I find truly scary. The Russian Roulette scenes in the middle never fail to make me shake, jump and feel generally disturbed.
This is something worth seeing. Let it suck you in, stick with it - it takes you to a dark place, but doesn't push it.
HIGHLIGHTS: Robert De Niro's character, Michael, refuses to lend some boots to one of his friends on a hunting trip, the conversation that ensues is memorable for the cryptic line from Michael - "This is this". Also, as I mentioned, the forced Russian Roulette scenes are probably one of the scarious moments in film that I've ever witnessed.
TRIVIA: Touted as the first Vietnam War film. The film took out Best Director and Best Film Oscars, amongst others, and director Michael Cimino found himself given free reign for his next film. The result, 'Heaven's Gate', is one of the most notorious flops ever made, and brought down United Artists, as well as Cimino's career.
This was the last film John Cazale (Fredo from The Godfather) featured in too. He was engaged to co-star Meryl Streep at the time, and died of cancer before the film was released. His short film career consisted of five films… The Godfather, The Conversation, The Godfather II, Dog Day Afternoon and The Deer Hunter.
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Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
The cinematography is some fo the best Ive ever seen and the music enhances the mood and atmosphere to a new stratosphere.
Director Michael Cimino never reached these heights again. I love the touching Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (An action movie that made me cry) & Year Of The Dragon with Mickey Rourke is so misunderstood.
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
Heaven's Gate is actually pretty good, it's just a shame he wasted so much money on it when it wasn't really neccessary to spend up so much.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
The Sicilian doesn't live up to it's promise but as a Christopher Lambert fan, I find it enetrtaining. It certainly has its moments of granduer and character turmoil.
Comment by Nathan 1
Nice post. Robert's boot speech was great. It kind of established him as the father figure of the group.
And yes, there probabaly wasn't a better way they could have depicted the horror of Vietnam than through Russian Roulette. Disturbing!
Nathan