The Deer Hunter Blu-ray Review

Universal Pictures' release of "The Deer Hunter" on Blu-ray showcases a meticulously executed 1080p/VC-1 transfer in 2.35:1 aspect ratio, and sets a new benchmark for the film's visual presentation. The transfer boasts strikingly saturated colors and exceptional sharpness, enhancing the viewing experience with vibrant visual storytelling. Notably, the mountain hunting sequences now exude a lushness and scope not seen in previous releases. While some minor DNR is present, particularly apparent in transitions involving stock footage, it does not compromise the overall natural look of the film.

Interior scenes benefit significantly from superior contrast and clarity, shedding the murky quality of earlier releases and providing fine detail in shadowy environments. The film’s color palette shines in various sequences, including the brightly saturated hues of De Niro's orange hunting jacket, the jungle foliage, and Saigon’s neon lights. The rich black levels, although occasionally afflicted by some crush and inconsistent grain levels, contribute to the striking shadow delineation and overall authenticity of the film's gritty atmosphere.

Despite some viewers potentially finding the image overly clean, the high-quality transfer maintains a consistent film-like texture throughout, with minimal instances of digital sharpening and haloing. Background details such as environmental grime and facial close-ups are sharply defined, adding to the film's immersive quality. The source material appears immaculate, devoid of any print wear or speckling that marred previous DVD versions. In summary, this Blu-ray edition presents 'The Deer Hunter' in its best visual fidelity to date, ensuring a smooth and dynamic viewing experience that fans of this seminal classic will undoubtedly appreciate.

"The Deer Hunter" features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that exhibits enhanced clarity and immersion. The Pennsylvania and Vietnam sequences benefit substantially from atmospheric effects and a well-established use of surrounds. The sound design respects fidelity and integrates ambient environmental cues to create an authentic audio landscape. Dialogue is generally clear, but in scenes with overlapping conversations or competing background noises, clarity diminishes, making some exchanges difficult to discern. Dynamic range is somewhat constrained, although there are substantial low-frequency effects in key scenes which add visceral power.

Despite these improvements, the mix is not without its shortcomings. While the front panel speakers handle most of the audio with solid stereo separation—providing directionality and enhancing the atmospheric contributions—surround effects are underutilized, often relegated to augmenting the score and prominent war sounds like helicopters and explosions. The limited dynamic range is evident, especially in higher registers where distortion and occasional audio pops can be heard. However, the low-end performance, featuring impactful moments such as gunshots during Russian roulette games, is commendable. Acoustic guitar solos and orchestral scores are well-rendered without overwhelming on-screen actions.

Overall, while the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track significantly betters previous releases in terms of fidelity and clarity, it ultimately remains serviceable rather than exceptional, meeting but not exceeding expectations for such a landmark film. The provision of lossless audio is beneficial but isn't transformative enough to uplift the film’s overall auditory experience to a superior level.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Deer Hunter" provide a mix of engaging commentaries and historical featurettes, though it may leave some fans wanting more retrospective content. The highlight is the feature commentary by cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond and journalist Bob Fisher, which offers rich insights into Michael Cimino's directorial techniques and the challenges of location shooting. Despite some technical details about the film’s original desired aesthetic, it captivates with engaging anecdotes. The deleted scenes feature additional Vietnam footage and extended Russian Roulette scenes but offer little new material to the narrative. Complementing these are the “100 Years of Universal” promotional featurettes, giving a respectful nod to the studio’s legacy and film restoration efforts.

Extras included in this disc:

• Feature Commentary by Vilmos Zsigmond and Bob Fisher: Intriguing commentary discussing filming techniques and production anecdotes.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes: Additional Vietnam and Russian Roulette footage.
• Theatrical Trailer: Retrospective trailer with critic quotes.
• 100 Years of Universal: Academy Award Winners: Celebratory montage of Universal’s award-winning films.
• 100 Years of Universal: Restoring the Classics: Examination of the film restoration process.

Michael Cimino's "The Deer Hunter" emerges as a haunting narrative deeply entrenched in the emotional and psychological turmoils of the Vietnam War. The film captures the audience's attention from the start with its sprawling ensemble cast, featuring standout performances by Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and a notable early role for Meryl Streep. It juxtaposes the serene blue-collar life of Pennsylvania steel workers against the chaos and horror of Vietnam, delving into themes of camaraderie and the traumas of war. Cimino's direction is reminiscent of religious triptychs, dividing the film into three engaging but interrelated segments—the home front, the brutal war zone, and the painful reintegration into society.

The narrative does not rush into the mayhem of war; instead, it carefully constructs its characters’ pre-war lives, which starkly contrasts with their war experiences. The movie’s transition into Vietnam is abrupt and jarring, marked by sequences of intense violence and moral decay, epitomized by the infamous Russian Roulette scenes – fictionalized yet viscerally impactful. These moments are pivotal, illustrating the psychological fractures that wartime captivity instills, particularly affecting Nick (Walken) and Steven (Savage). Their post-war existence is a manifestation of their shattered psyches, complicating their struggle to reintegrate and maintain previous relationships. Despite its deliberate pacing and sometimes overindulgent storytelling, "The Deer Hunter" effectively conveys the prolonged shadow that war casts on every facet of life.

Visually and thematically, Vilmos Zsigmond’s cinematography complements Cimino’s epic storytelling style. Yet, the film's slow start and tendency toward drawn-out scenes can challenge viewers' patience. Key sequences—such as the lengthy wedding and hunting scenes—could benefit from tighter editing. Despite these flaws, the film's emotional depth remains powerful. Performances are stellar across the board, with De Niro’s controlled intensity and Walken’s haunting portrayal deserving particular praise. "The Deer Hunter" remains a poignant exploration of male friendship and psychological endurance amidst the unrelenting reverberations of war.

Michael Cimino's "The Deer Hunter" is a visually stunning and emotionally powerful cinematic experience that delves into the psychological scars left by the Vietnam War. The Blu-ray release by Universal stands out with a remarkable video transfer that breathes new life into this 34-year-old film, showcasing Vilmos Zsigmond's lauded cinematography with exceptional clarity. The color balance and detail are meticulously preserved, presenting a print that looks nearly pristine. While the upgraded lossless audio significantly enhances the aural experience, it doesn't completely mitigate all the film's original sonic imperfections. Nonetheless, it remarkably heightens the immersion and emotional intensity of the narrative, ensuring an impactful viewing experience.

The performances by Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, and Christopher Walken are nothing short of extraordinary, each actor imbuing their character with depth and authenticity. The film's storytelling is novelistic, gradually unfolding the lives and relationships of these characters against the backdrop of war and its aftermath. This approach allows for a profound exploration of themes such as trauma, friendship, and survival, rendering the film both an intimate character study and an epic historical chronicle.

While the Blu-ray edition disappoints in terms of supplementary materials — especially when compared to more exhaustive releases like StudioCanal’s — it does feature an invaluable commentary by Zsigmond that provides rich insights into the film's production and visual strategies. Despite this deficiency, the overall quality of the main presentation remains a compelling reason to add this release to any collection.

Is "The Deer Hunter" a perfect film? No. Is it a masterpiece nonetheless? Probably—I’m always loath to bequeath such an honor on a film that hasn’t truly weathered the test of time (say, for fifty or sixty years), but my personal opinion is "The Deer Hunter" is nothing less than a towering achievement. With incredible performances by the then still young Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep and Christopher Walken (as well as a glut of incredible supporting performances), and a rare narrative sweep that puts post traumatic stress disorder in its proper context, "The Deer Hunter" is novelistic in the best sense of the word, slowly developing characters and interrelationships through a variety of circumstances and over some considerable time. The film is arguably too long and meandering, but there is so much worth experiencing in many of these nooks and crannies that it seems a little churlish to complain. This Universal Blu-ray is awfully light on supplements (especially when compared to the StudioCanal release), but the Zsigmond commentary is exceptional. Video and audio are similarly excellent, and this release comes Highly recommended.