

The Deer Hunter
One of the most important and powerful films of all time!
Three steelworkers enlist in the army and are sent to Vietnam, one leaving behind a rushed marriage, the others a shared love. What they encounter during the war changes their lives forever.
TMDB
8.0/10
4,440 votes
IMDb
Not rated yet
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- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $15M
- Box office
- $49M
- Language
- English
- vietnam war
- vietnam veteran
- small town
- suicide
- vietnam
- post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd)
- escape
- pennsylvania, usa
- saigon
- friends
- russian roulette
- wedding
Top billed cast












Behind the camera
Director
Writers
Music
Produced in
United Kingdom, United States of America
Where to watch
All optionsAvailability for India. Provided by JustWatch through the TMDB API.
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Videos
Release dates
United StatesUS
- Theatrical (limited)RNew York City, New York / Los Angeles, California8 Dec 1978
- TheatricalR23 Feb 1979
- PhysicalRDVD31 Mar 1998
- PhysicalRDVD (Universal Legacy Series)5 Sept 2005
- PhysicalR4K Ultra HD (Shout Select)26 May 2020
United KingdomGB
- Theatrical18Originally rated X27 Feb 1979
- Physical184K Ultra HD (Shout Select)20 Aug 2018
AustraliaAU
- TheatricalMA 15+22 Feb 1979
- PhysicalMA 15+Blu ray21 Aug 2018
AustriaAT
- Theatrical169 Mar 1979
BelgiumBE
- Theatrical168 Dec 1978
BrazilBR
- Theatrical25 Dec 1979
- Physical18DVD/VHS14 Apr 2004
- TV18TV Record31 Aug 2005
CzechiaCZ
- Physical1 Feb 1993
- Theatrical (limited)Digitally restored8 Sept 2022
DenmarkDK
- Theatrical1530 Mar 1979
FinlandFI
- TheatricalK-168 Dec 1978
FranceFR
- Theatrical167 Mar 1979
- PhysicalVHS5 Nov 1997
- PhysicalDVD9 Jul 1998
- Digital / OTT12VOD1 Jan 2006
- PhysicalBlu-Ray23 Sept 2008
- TheatricalRe-release25 Jul 2018
- Physical4K UHD18 Sept 2018
- TV12Canal+ Grand Écran28 Feb 2026
- TV12Canal+ Grand Écran25 Jul 2026
GermanyDE
- Theatrical168 Mar 1979
GreeceGR
- Theatrical5 Apr 1979
Frequently asked questions
The Deer Hunter was released on 8 December 1978.
Audience reviews
4- A6/10
Andres Gomez
10/10/2014
Slow pace movie which nicely depicts the life of worker class Russian inmigrants in USA and the impact that its young generation receives from Vietnam's war. The actual shock cause being the crazy game of the Russian roulette only helps from the artistic point of view of the film but it is well blended into the actual story.
- T10/10
talisencrw
7/19/2016
With director Cimino's recent death and his reputation in tatters since the debacle of 'Heaven's Gate', I decided to visit 'The Deer Hunter'. Though over three hours long, it's astonishing, paced so achingly right and I can see why he rightfully earned the 'carte blanche' that would unfortunately lead to his downfall (as well as an entire studio's) as soon as he made his next film. But to reach such heights and to ha…
- J9/10
JPV852
6/6/2020
The Deer Hunter (1978) — Excellent character war drama that showcases some great performances, mainly De Niro and Walken. Directed by Michael Cimino, this 3-hour film takes its time developing these characters and shows the psychological side of the horrors of Vietnam, and war in general. Probably makes a good companion film with Apocalypse Now, released only seven months later (in the U.S.). **4.5/5**
- C7/10
CinemaSerf
4/6/2024
Did Michael Cimino ever make another movie? I wouldn't be surprised if not after this harrowing and intense look at the human psyche after it's exposure to the brutalities of war. The war was in Vietnam, and the protagonists here are those who survived - to varying degrees - to return home to what they hope will be some sort of normality. To some semblance of what they left behind. To some humanity. The three men all…
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