George Boyle
The wedding scene in Michael Cimino's 1978 film The Deer Hunter has been described as the heart of the film by producer Barry Spikings. The scene, which was shot at the St. Theodosius Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio, was so demanding that it caused actor Robert De Niro to collapse on set. Clocking in at over three hours, the film's exploration of the psychological effects of the Vietnam War on U.S. soldiers is bookended by the wedding sequence, which sets the tone and establishes the dynamic between the characters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Film name | The Deer Hunter |
| Year of release | 1978 |
| Director | Michael Cimino |
| Actors | Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, John Savage, Meryl Streep |
| Length of the film | 3 hours and 3 minutes |
| Length of the original wedding scene | 20 minutes longer than the final cut |
| Length of the wedding scene in the final cut | 30 minutes |
| Description of the wedding scene | Drinking, singing, dancing, and the bride spills a drop of wine on her wedding gown |
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What You'll Learn
The wedding scene's length
The wedding scene in The Deer Hunter has been described as "endless" by Universal president Thom Mount. The scene was shot at the St. Theodosius Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio, and it lasted for five days. In the movie, the wedding scene seems to go on for about half an hour with little dialogue and a lot of drinking, singing, and dancing.
The original script for The Deer Hunter had a wedding scene that was about ten pages long, or about 15 minutes of screen time. However, director Michael Cimino had different plans, and the final cut of the movie came in at just over three hours long. The wedding sequence was described as "a cinematic event all unto its own" and "the heart of the film" by producer Barry Spikings.
The Deer Hunter is a 1978 three-hour epic starring Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken. The first half of the movie is rather uplifting and follows a group of Pennsylvania steel workers, one of whom is getting married to his pregnant girlfriend. The wedding scene was shot in a real Russian Orthodox church with a real-life priest.
The scene is considered by some to be too long, with one viewer commenting that the movie could have been much shorter and better, with less "bloated self-indulgent filler". Another viewer commented that the wedding scene was "way overlong". However, others appreciated the artistry and subtlety of the sequence and how it set up the rest of the film.
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Robert De Niro collapsing on set
The wedding scene in The Deer Hunter has been described as "endless" by Universal president Thom Mount. The scene was shot at the St. Theodosius Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio, and it lasted for five days. Director Michael Cimino pushed his cast and crew to their breaking points, leading to Robert De Niro and others collapsing on set.
De Niro is an American actor and producer, considered one of the greatest and most influential actors of his generation. He is known for his collaborations with director Martin Scorsese, including Mean Streets (1973) and Goodfellas (1990). De Niro is also known for his comedic roles, such as in Meet the Parents (2000) and Analyze This (1999). In addition to his comedic and dramatic roles, De Niro has also taken on television roles, such as portraying Bernie Madoff in the HBO film The Wizard of Lies (2017).
De Niro's dedication to his craft is evident in his collapse on the set of The Deer Hunter. The film's wedding scene has been described as "lyrical, engaging, and essential" for establishing the dynamic between the characters. Cimino's commitment to capturing the extreme edges of reality may have contributed to the challenging filming conditions that led to De Niro's collapse.
The Deer Hunter is not the only film where De Niro has pushed himself to the limit. In Silver Linings Playbook (2012), he took on a challenging role that earned him an Oscar nomination. De Niro is known for his intense preparation and commitment to his characters, which has resulted in a successful career spanning multiple decades and various accolades, including two Academy Awards and a Golden Globe Award.
While the collapse on set during the filming of The Deer Hunter may have been a result of challenging filming conditions, it also showcases De Niro's dedication to his craft and his willingness to push himself to the limit for his art.
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The scene's authenticity
The authenticity of the wedding scene in "The Deer Hunter" is a notable aspect of the film, with producer Barry Spikings referring to it as "the heart of the film". Director Michael Cimino pushed for an unhurried depiction of working-class life and the social rituals of a Russian immigrant community in Pennsylvania. The result is a lyrical and engaging series of scenes that feel real and improvisational, almost like a documentary. This is further enhanced by the use of a real Russian Orthodox church and a real-life priest.
The scene was shot at the St. Theodosius Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio, and it lasted for five days. Cimino's dedication to capturing the extreme edges of reality led to lead actor Robert De Niro collapsing on set. The wedding scene's length and attention to detail provide an essential establishment of the dynamic between the ensemble of characters and their daily lives before the events of the Vietnam War unfold. It serves as a contrast to the tragedy that follows, mirroring the structure of "The Godfather", which also begins with a wedding.
The authenticity of the wedding scene extends beyond the cinematic techniques employed. The actors' performances, particularly that of Christopher Walken, contribute to the scene's delicate and ethereal atmosphere. Walken's graceful physicality, especially during the dance sequences, adds to the emotional investment in the characters. This authenticity is further emphasised by the ad-libbed dialogue and the actors' interactions, which feel natural and unstaged.
While some viewers have criticised the wedding scene's length, describing it as "overlong" and "self-indulgent", others have appreciated its artistry and subtlety. The scene sets the tone and establishes the character dynamics, contributing to the film's overall atmosphere, authenticity, and mood. The wedding scene in "The Deer Hunter" is a notable example of cinematic authenticity, where the director's vision, location, and performances come together to create a powerful and engaging sequence.
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The scene's importance to the film
The wedding scene in The Deer Hunter has been described as "the heart of the film" by producer Barry Spikings. The scene, which lasts for around 20 minutes, serves as an important opening act to the rest of the film, introducing the audience to the dynamic between the ensemble of characters and their daily lives before the events of the war.
The wedding of Steven and Angela in the steel town of Clairton, Pennsylvania, is a lyrical and engaging sequence that sets the tone for the rest of the film. It is a contrast to the film's more notorious scenes, such as the Russian roulette sequence, and the extreme reality of war. The wedding scene is a peaceful, non-violent gathering, with drinking, singing, and dancing, and an air of celebration. It is a milestone event that is soon contrasted with the tragedy of war, in a similar way to the opening wedding scene in The Godfather.
The scene also acts as a character study, with the extreme duration of the scene adding to the sense of realism and improvisation. The audience gets a sense of the relationships between the characters, and their lives before the war, which makes the impact of the war on these relationships all the more powerful. The scene is an important character-building moment, which adds depth to the film and makes the audience more invested in the characters' journeys.
The wedding scene is also notable for its impact on the cast and crew, with Robert De Niro and others collapsing on set due to the demanding nature of the shoot. The scene was shot in a real Russian Orthodox church, with a real priest, adding to the sense of authenticity. The scene's length and detail may have contributed to the sense of realism, and the impact of the film as a whole.
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The scene's critical reception
The wedding scene in The Deer Hunter has been described by some as "self-indulgent filler", "bloated", "boring", "repetitive", "clichéd", and "racist". The scene has also been criticised for its length, with some viewers finding it "endless" and "overlong".
However, others have praised the scene for its artistry and subtlety, with producer Barry Spikings referring to the wedding scenes as "the heart of the film". The scene has also been described as "lyrical, engaging, and essential", perfectly establishing the dynamic between the ensemble of characters and their daily lives before the war. The wedding scene in The Deer Hunter has also been compared to the famous opening wedding scene in The Godfather, with both films contrasting the exuberance of such a milestone event with the tragedy that follows.
The Deer Hunter was one of the first Vietnam War films, and its release in 1978, just a few years after the war ended, struck a chord with audiences. The film's director, Michael Cimino, pushed his cast and crew to their limits to capture the extreme edges of reality, resulting in a challenging and gritty film. Cimino's cut of the movie was just over three hours long, and while Universal Studios executives found it objectionable and too long, the full-length wedding sequence remained a part of the film.
The wedding scene in The Deer Hunter has clearly divided audiences and critics, with some finding it indulgent and excessive, while others praise its artistic value and its role in establishing the film's characters and themes.
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Frequently asked questions
The wedding scene in The Deer Hunter is approximately 30 minutes long. The entire filming of the scene, however, took five days.
The wedding scene in The Deer Hunter is between the characters Steven (John Savage) and Angela (Rutanya Alda). It involves drinking, singing, dancing, and ends with the bride spilling a drop of wine on her wedding gown, foreshadowing the main characters' downward spiral.
Opinions on the wedding scene in The Deer Hunter vary. Some people believe that it is "the heart of the film", while others find it endless and self-indulgent filler. Some viewers have described the scene as boring, repetitive, and racist, while others appreciate its artistry, subtlety, and documentary-like effect.
