Evocative and distressing in equal measure, The Deer Hunter is often hailed by the critics as an American epic in the same class as The Godfather films. In an iconic, exuberant opening section, a tight-knit group of Russian-American friends celebrate together, looking forward to enlisting in the Vietnam war.
The ensuing action shows, in another string of iconic scenes involving gambling halls and Russian roulette, what war does to them.
With a memorable soundtrack including Frankie Valli and a theme played by classical guitar legend John Williams, and a stellar cast featuring Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, Meryl Streep and John Cazale, The Deer Hunter picked up four Oscars.