The Deer Hunter
Vietnam war drama
The Deer Hunter is a 1978 American film directed by Michael Cimino, following three Pennsylvania steelworkers whose lives are shattered by the Vietnam War.
The film is remembered for its harrowing Russian roulette scenes and won five Academy Awards including Best Picture.
The title evokes both the characters' hunting rituals and the brutal randomness of wartime survival.
Kinship among men
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- camaraderieGoodwill among companions
- bondingForming close connections
- steelworkersMetal industry laborers
Pennsylvania · wedding · community · working-class · tavern · ritual · trust · companionship
Tall elevated landmasses
- rifleLong-barreled shoulder weapon
- one shotSingle unrepeated attempt
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
- stalkingStealthy, persistent pursuit
buck · forest · trophy · cabin · tradition · marksmanship · pursuit · patience
Academy's golden award
- cinematographyMotion picture visual craft
- De NiroOscar-winning American actor
- SavageFierce or wild
- screenplayFilm's written blueprint
director · editing · soundtrack · score · cinema · premiere · critics · box-office
Fatal game of chance
- revolverPistol with rotating chamber
- bulletFired metal projectile
- chamberEnclosed room or cavity
- gambleStake on uncertain outcome
tension · captivity · coercion · survival · odds · trigger · bet · stakes
Chronic reaction to horrific events
- flashbacksInvoluntary vivid memory episodes
- nightmaresTerrifying sleep experiences
- shell shockWar-induced psychological trauma
- psychologicalOf the mind
survivor's guilt · anxiety · hypervigilance · emotional scars · mental health · disassociation · coping · healing
Southeast Asian coastal nation
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- soldiersMilitary personnel who fight
- battlefieldCombat engagement area
- militaryArmed forces collectively
infantry · POW · capture · Saigon · evacuation · helicopter · casualties · frontline
brotherhood
Kinship among men
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- camaraderieGoodwill among companions
- bondingForming close connections
steelworkers · Pennsylvania · wedding · community · working-class · tavern · ritual · trust · companionship · unity
mountains
Tall elevated landmasses
- rifleLong-barreled shoulder weapon
- one shotSingle unrepeated attempt
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
stalking · buck · forest · trophy · cabin · tradition · marksmanship · pursuit · patience · precision
Oscar
Academy's golden award
- cinematographyMotion picture visual craft
- De NiroOscar-winning American actor
- SavageFierce or wild
screenplay · director · editing · soundtrack · score · cinema · premiere · critics · box-office · Hollywood
Russian roulette
Fatal game of chance
gamble · tension · captivity · coercion · survival · odds · trigger · bet · stakes · torture
PTSD
Chronic reaction to horrific events
- flashbacksInvoluntary vivid memory episodes
- nightmaresTerrifying sleep experiences
- shell shockWar-induced psychological trauma
survivor's guilt · psychological · anxiety · hypervigilance · emotional scars · mental health · disassociation · coping · healing · therapy
Vietnam
Southeast Asian coastal nation
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- soldiersMilitary personnel who fight
- battlefieldCombat engagement area
military · infantry · POW · capture · Saigon · evacuation · helicopter · casualties · frontline · ambush
- 70s CinemaThe Godfather, Star Wars, Taxi Driver, Chinatown, Apocalypse Now
- Oscar WinnersTitanic, Forrest Gump, The Godfather, Gladiator, Schindler's List
- 1979 FilmsApocalypse Now, Kramer vs Kramer, Rocky II, Star Trek, Mad Max
- History FilmsLincoln, Gettysburg, Glory, Selma, Saving Private Ryan
- Vietnam WarVietnam War, Vietnam, Tet Offensive, My Lai Massacre, Viet Cong
The Deer HunterComing Home
Arriving at one's residence
Winter Soldier · The Green Berets · The Quiet American · Apocalypse Now · Platoon
The Deer HunterTop Gun
Premier combat aviator
The Longest Day · Patton · American Sniper · Hacksaw Ridge · 300