The Deer Hunter (DVD 2002)

Although this film won many Academy awards many people think that at nearly four hours this film is far too long.They may have a point, but there is no denying that along with Apocalypse Now this is by far the best movie made about the Vietnam War.

The cast is virtually a who's who of Superstars,and this was the Movie that actors such as Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep,and Christopher Walken,and John Savage gained this status.The Story centres around four friends who are brought up in a small town in the USA and end up in Vietnam.

The acting is superb,but the scenes of "Russian Roulette" that the actors had to play out are particually harrowing,and at the time many Vietnam Vets stated to the best of their knowledge that American soldiers were not subjected to this during the war.Anyway Nick (Chris Walken) is captured and ends up playing this game for money in the swamps outside Saigon.

Steven(John Savage)is injured so badly that he returns home,and Michael only finds out about his condition when he ends his term of service.Michael(Robert De Niro)comes home to a heros welcome ,but has so many scars from the war that he finds it hard to settle.

Finally, he decides to return to Vietnam to find Steven for his girlfriend's sake(Meryl Streep)and finds him still playing Russian Roulette in the Saigon backwaters.Nick is so drugged he doesn't recognise Michael and ends up playing "Russian Roulette" with him in front of a baying Vietnamese crowd of punters.Nick finally recognises Michael just as he is about to pull the trigger for the third time.

If you haven't seen the Film I think its best not to tell you anymore, but i will end by saying that the acting by the leads in this film is awesome,and Chris Walken fully deserved his best supporting actor Oscar for his portrayal on Nick.Go buy,and it wont cost you a fortune.

this film is a good oldie very good film i watched it years agon and thort i wanted it for myself if you get the chance watch it can be a bit of a teary 1 to .

This film is based initially on a typical US pre war city where workers from a steel mill, who have previously been deer hunting at weekends enlist for action in Vietnam.
The horrors are soon dramatically portrayed as these 2 main stars Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken are both captured by the VC (Viet Cong) and are kept in a makeshift cage submerged in water to only be allowed out to play Russian Roulette.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder had not been heard of then both characters are severly affected by their time in Vietnam.
De Niro's finest performance.
I would recommend that you purchase the 2 Disc Special Edition