The Deer Hunter’s 6 Controversies Explained

Although it’s been widely praised as one of the greatest war movies ever made, The Deer Hunter generated its fair share of controversy when it was released in 1978. The Deer Hunter revolves around three American steelworkers – played by Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and John Savage – whose lives are irreparably destroyed after being sent to fight in the Vietnam War. The film received critical acclaim for the powerful performances of its cast, director Michael Cimino’s use of striking imagery, and his startlingly realistic portrayal of the horrors of war. But it was also met with some backlash, thanks to its historical inaccuracies and seemingly pro-war message.