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MTDb โ€บ Best of โ€บ 1978 โ€บ The Deer Hunter

The Deer Hunter poster

The Deer Hunter (1978)

โ€œOne of the most important and powerful films of all time!โ€

8.0/10 ยท 4,404 votes 3h 3m r DramaWar

#1 of 26 films from 1978 #164 of 3759 in drama

Directed by Michael Cimino ยท Written by Deric Washburn, Michael Cimino, Quinn K. Redeker, Louis Garfinkle

โ–ถ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

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.

Cast

Robert De Niroas Michael Vronsky
Christopher Walkenas Nikanor "Nick" Chevotarevich
John Cazaleas Stan
John Savageas Steven Pushkov
Meryl Streepas Linda
George Dzundzaas John
Rutanya Aldaas Angela
Pierre Seguias Julien
Amy Wrightas Bridesmaid
Richard Kussas Linda's Father
Joe Grifasias Bandleader
Dennis Watlingtonas Cab Driver
Shirley Stoleras Steven's Mother
Chuck Aspegrenas Axel

Facts

Release dateDecember 8, 1978
Runtime183 min (3h 3m) โ€” longer as the 1978 average of 111 min
GenresDrama, War
LanguageEN
Budget$15,000,000
Box office$49,000,000 (3.3ร— budget)
IMDbtt0077416

More from Michael Cimino

Thunderbolt and LightfootThunderbolt and Lightfoot1974 ยท โ˜… 6.8 ยท 1h 56m Year of the DragonYear of the Dragon1985 ยท โ˜… 6.8 ยท 2h 14m

If you liked The Deer Hunter

Same genre, released within a few years, sorted by TMDB rating.

Apocalypse NowApocalypse Now1979 ยท โ˜… 8.3 ยท 2h 27m Come and SeeCome and See1985 ยท โ˜… 8.2 ยท 2h 22m Das BootDas Boot1981 ยท โ˜… 8.1 ยท 2h 30m Barry LyndonBarry Lyndon1975 ยท โ˜… 8.0 ยท 3h 8m KagemushaKagemusha1980 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 3h 0m PlatoonPlatoon1986 ยท โ˜… 7.7 ยท 2h 0m First BloodFirst Blood1982 ยท โ˜… 7.5 ยท 1h 33m The Killing FieldsThe Killing Fields1984 ยท โ˜… 7.5 ยท 2h 22m

Questions

How long is The Deer Hunter?
The Deer Hunter runs 183 minutes (3h 3m), which is long for a drama โ€” plan for it.
Is The Deer Hunter worth watching?
TMDB users give it 8/10 across 4,404 votes, which places it #1 of 26 films released in 1978 in this index (top 100%) and #164 among 3759 drama titles.
Who directed The Deer Hunter?
The Deer Hunter was directed by Michael Cimino. Other well-rated titles by the same director: Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974), Year of the Dragon (1985).
Who stars in The Deer Hunter?
Robert De Niro as Michael Vronsky; Christopher Walken as Nikanor "Nick" Chevotarevich; John Cazale as Stan; John Savage as Steven Pushkov; Meryl Streep as Linda; George Dzundza as John.
What is The Deer Hunter rated?
It carries a r certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for The Deer Hunter?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/1421.

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Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.