Customer Ratings & Reviews

Michael Cimino delivers not only a timeless classic with The Deer Hunter, but also a deep display of trauma within the human psyche - things that make us or break us as individuals. What is largely seen as a War Film, at least by most I’ve discussed this movie with, as well as reviews I’ve read. While it is extremely fair to see this experience as just a War Film, as the war in Vietnam is very much at the gut of this movie, but there’s so much more going on, multiple layers of storytelling are what really set off everything that works here. The effects have a real cause, and vice versa. At 3 hours in length, the pacing is smoothly laid out into thirds, with the first hour being devoted to a wedding set-up/scenario. This is graceful introduction to our characters, and even those that surround them, support them. More than graceful, the wedding scene itself is authentic feeling, centering around Eastern European traditions, culminating in an experience that is simply beautiful - and very much on par with the magnitude of the wedding scene in The Godfather. The wedding is padded out with one last hunt, both events being the send-off of our characters to The War, these scenes give us a further glance into the philosophical and personal depths - truly outlining the minds of the main characters. Immediately after the wedding, we are transported straight into Vietnam with a noticeable time-jump, and our characters are purely motivated by survival. This is where, comparatively, The War is covered and shot in a manner that is more personal to getting our characters into the next scene, more than wasting time or exposition on showing coverage of The War as a large. And where the film wants to put our characters is directly in the line of fire - prisoners of war, and even worse, they are being forced to participate in games of Russian roulette as the Vietnamese captors gamble on the outcome. These scenes contain some of the most tension and truth in the entire film, even showing us some truly fine acting from De Niro and Walken. The outcome of this current situation leads our characters into a wild escape, with enough twists to leave each protagonist on their own path to redemption. Split-up and suffering, we are then moved into the final act. One of loss and attempting to find redemption for everything lost - as well as reconciliation on the behalf of regrets. This last third is hefty with emotion and confusion. One character finding his way back home, another unheard from since his return to the States, and one left behind in Vietnam, completely consumed by the dark backstreets where Russian roulette gambling rings still operate within the city - only these participants are completely compliant, and looking for a little fame and financial gain. To continue to avoid BIG spoilers, I will leave it there. By the time the credits roll, what we’ve been shown is a dark cycle of tragedy and trauma, the pain it causes to loved ones, and how it can consume us, transform us - physically and mentally. This film carries a true arc, an absolute cycle of studying characters and their experiences. Truly a masterpiece, even in 2020.

The clarity in this transfer is great. This remaster is so good, almost hard to believe this film is over 40+ years old.

The Deer Hunter in Blu-Ray format is a fantastic upgrade! A very sad depiction of effects of drugs on our GIs in Vietnam War, based in a blue collar town near Pittsburgh PA where I grew up! This show hit real close to home in my life experience! These war vets were shown as heroes in a war that most Americans turned against over time! Painfully realistic show!

This is Michael Cimino's classic tragic story of blue collar steel workers who are lifelong friends and decide to enlist together and fight in Vietnam. This film made stars of Meryl Streep and Christopher Walken (and earned him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar). A little slow in parts (this caught up to Cimino in his next film, the box office disaster Heaven's Gate), but great performances all around. You'll never think of Russian Roulette the same again. Thanks to Shout Factory for giving this film the treatment it deserves. Nice cover artwork, also showing John Savage and Robert DeNiro.

I was always hesitant to watch this because the preview gave me the impression that it was about some guys drinking beer and going hunting. I assumed, once there, one hunter would get killed. This movie is far more than that; way more. It tracks 5 guys and 2 women during the Vietnam war. Everyone has a different perspective on what will happen. It offers superb acting and it truly should be seen by anyone interested in dramas, the effects of war, and or fans of the respective actors and actresses. It is a very good movie.

Excellent picture quality excellent sound - fantastic movie if you are into this genre

I love war movies and Robert De Niro is one of my favorite actors. I heard a lot about The Deer Hunter particularly about the Russian Roulette scenes and how intense they were. They did not disappoint and the 4K resolution made everything better. Some times the lighting was a bit dark, but 4K clarity is very good throughout. It's not a typical war movie, in fact there is not a whole lot of the war present in the movie. The aftermath does major effect on the character's psych and that's where the war continues.

One of the best films in American history , about a group of small town Pennsylvania friends who cope with their time as the Vietnam War changes their way of life. It is also one of the first movies to deal with the horrors of the Vietnam conflict , with one of the greatest all-star cast in some of the earliest performances ever. The best hands down format of this movie ever made and at its low price range you cannot go wrong adding the title to your collection.

Probably the greatest 1970s Vietnam era ever made or movie about war made. Notice I didn’t say War movie. This movie pulls you into the lives of characters you care deeply about until the final frame. Can’t recommend this movie enough. 4K is well worth the money.

Awesome Action, Adventure, Drama Film! The Deer Hunter was both renowned for its tough portrayal of the war's effect on American working class steel workers and notorious for its historical use of Russian roulette in the Vietnam sequences. Structured in five sections contrasting home and war, the film opens in Clairton, PA, as Mike (Robert De Niro), Nick (Christopher Walken), and Stan (John Cazale, in his last film) celebrate the wedding of their friend Steve (John Savage) and go on a final deer hunt before going off to Vietnam.

Some of the best acting from RD-very wide range of emotions expressed in his character’s portrayal. It’s a heavy film-not light and fluffy. The 4k transfer is the best the film as ever looked but it’s not the best 4k out in the market. It’s still worth owning but wait for a sale. Don’t pay the full price on this release. If u can catch it for around $16 or less, I’d pick it up-esp if u can get the slipcover. Mine came with a slip over and it’s a gorgeous piece of art.

Are you depressed? If so stay far away from this one until you're feeling better as it is so bleak it'll make you question your life. Brilliant acting all around here including a haunting performance from Christopher Walken that you'll never be able to un see. Slow paced but truly worthy of your time.

Superb 4k presentation but be aware that huge segments of the film are set in industrial Pennsylvania and it's not meant to look pretty. It has captured the dourness of that part of the world extremely well. So too the excruciating chaos of the fall of Saigon and in-between the awful prison sequence that set our three protagonists on their road to the irrevocable change to their lives. The contrast of these settings is outstandingly.

1978 Oscar winner for Best Picture is a strong study of lives and friendships during the Vietnam War based out of a small Pennsylvania town. Great acting by all, especially DeNIro. Walker won Supporting Actor, although his part is smaller but well played. Quite sad and emotional especially in its climax, this is more a people story than a war story. But in the end, all comes together to make a memorable film.

To this day I had no idea what went on in Vietnam during the war. This movie opened my eyes a little bit as it really didn’t have a few combat scenes but still a great movies about friends and what war does to the human mind.

Super story with outstanding cast. This movie was shown on local TV in the late 70s(by a major network) without censoring 1 word from its theater version. That’s how well respected this film is.

This film is perhaps one of the most relevant and heart wrenching films centered around the Vietnam War. DeNiro and Walken deliver excellent performances and are truly memorable in this classic film. The Picture is clean and crisp and audio is solid.

Amazing movie and Shout Factory has done an amazing job with this latest 4k transfer. It's the best way to view this film. I highly recommend this release and is worth the upgrade.

One of the all time best and toughest movies to watch. The acting from all the actors are outstanding!! One of the best Acting Ensemble in a movie.

Superb movie. Have watched it from the time it was released. Never a disappointment. Actors rose from being young in this movie to the stars they are today. never get tired of seeing this one.