
The Deer Hunter (1978)
Directed by: Michael Cimino
Starring: Christopher Walken, John Cazale, John Savage, Meryl Streep, Robert De Niro
Factual error: The boys go deer hunting somewhere in the Appalachians, but the geology is all wrong. That scene is in North Cascades National Park in Washington State. In addition, the "deer" they are hunting is a Red Stag. Not typically found in the Appalachians.
Factual error: When Michael Vronsky gets back from his tour he has a full grown beard. The only branch of the service that allows a beard is the Navy, and he was an Army Green Beret. The beard would only have been tolerated if Mike was either not in his Class A uniform or actively performing on a mission, neither of which are the case here. In addition, he's wearing a Black Beret, but his left shoulder patch is the 101st airborne, not Special Forces. Finally, he has six or seven hash marks on his right sleeve. Each hashtag is for 3 years of active duty service.
Suggested correction: Right sleeve hash marks are for 6 month tours of duty, left are for 3 years' service.
The hash marks on his right sleeve are overseas bars, each bar represents 6 months of service in a combat or hostile fire zone. The hash mark on his left sleeve represents 4 years of enlisted service. Obviously, nobody cared about the uniform in 1976.
Each hash mark on the left sleeve is 3 years' service.
The black beret was worn by US Army rangers who were assigned to a ranger unit, in the 1960's and 70's.
Continuity mistake: During the long wedding scene, while Michael watches Linda on the dance floor, the level of the beer in his glass goes up and down several times.
Trivia: To acquire the withdrawn, hollowed-out look of his character, Christopher Walken ate nothing but bananas and rice.
Cubs FanTrivia: During the helicopter stunt, the runners caught on the ropes of the suspension bridge and as the helicopter rose, it threatened to seriously injure both Robert De Niro and John Savage. The actors gestured and yelled furiously to the crew in the helicopter to warn them. Footage of this is included in the film.
Trivia: Roy Scheider was originally cast as Steven but quit the production two weeks before filming began.
Michael: You wanna play games? All right, I'll play your fucking games.
Michael: A deer has to be taken with one shot. I try to tell people that but they don't listen.
Chosen answer: The whole phrase is "di di mao", which basically mean go now, or hurry up.
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