Violence In The Deer Hunter

870 Words2 Pages

Colton Heaton
Film as History
Dr. Arpaia
The Deer Hunter
The Deer Hunter directed by Michael Cimino was filmed in 1977 and released in 1978. the film stars Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, John Cazale, and Meryl Streep. The films story and atmosphere are established together through the use of wide shots and character development. The violence also enhances the reality of the picture. The music in the film gives it a melancholy tone which helps the audience feel and relate to the characters as they go through the hardships and losses they face brought about because of the Vietnam war.
The film takes quite a long time in developing the characters. Rober De Niro plays the role of Mike. He is quickly established as the leader of the group. He makes daring moves that make the rest of the group respect him. The scene in the beginning of the film where the men have just got off work and leave to go to the bar would be a perfect example. They are all riding in the car together trying to pass a truck. The character of Nick played by …show more content…

Nick has a hard time coping with the idea of leaving for Vietnam. He has such a hard time that he can not get his mind off it even when they guys are all about to go hunting. The character is one that can closely relate to the audience. When Nicks character is forced to play Russian roulette it scars him psychologically. It messes with his head so much that once he thinks that his friends died, he loses all connection to his past life. He meets a man and ends up entering a Russian roulette ring in Vietnam. At first the audience see it is just for money. At the end of the film when Nick is found by Mike, it is shown through track marks on his arms that Nick has lost himself through drugs. Nick does not even recognize mike and spits in his face. It comes as a bit of a shock when Nicks character plays against Mikes and ends up actually shooting

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