Hollywood ReporterHollywood Reporter38m
DeadlineDeadline38m
MovieWebMovieWeb39m
CinemaBlendCinemaBlend41m
Page SixPage Six42m
VultureVulture44m
CinemaBlendCinemaBlend51m
VarietyVariety52m
Hollywood ReporterHollywood Reporter53m
DeciderDecider53m
BillboardBillboard57m
VarietyVariety1h
MovieWebMovieWeb1h
CinemaBlendCinemaBlend1h
The WrapThe Wrap1h
CinemaBlendCinemaBlend1h
MovieWebMovieWeb1h
MovieWebMovieWeb1h
VultureVulture1h
DeadlineDeadline1h
MovieWebMovieWeb1h
MovieWebMovieWeb2h
Hollywood ReporterHollywood Reporter2h
VarietyVariety2h
MovieWebMovieWeb2h
MovieWebMovieWeb2h
CinemaBlendCinemaBlend2h
Robert De Niro’s The Deer Hunter Was More Real Than You Think
MovieWebStory by Rachel Johnson
scrn logline
Behind-the-scenes secrets reveal how Robert De Niro and the cast of the acclaimed war film The Deer Hunter pushed the boundaries of method acting.
beat sheet
- Director Michael Cimino put the actors through harrowing experiences to capture the trauma of the Vietnam War, including having them live in freezing river water for hours on end.
- Robert De Niro's performance as a tortured POW was so intense that he reportedly lost over 30 pounds and suffered from exhaustion during filming, cementing his reputation as one of the greatest method actors of his generation.
call sheet
Robert De Niro, Michael Cimino, The Deer Hunter