The Deer Hunter is a 1978 American epic war drama film co-written and directed by Michael Cimino about a trio of Russian-American steelworkers whose lives are upended by fighting in the Vietnam War. The soldiers are played by Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken and John Savage, with John Cazale, Meryl Streep, and George Dzundza in supporting roles. The story takes place in Clairton, Pennsylvania and in Vietnam.