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The Deer Hunter (1978)
What is it? Three steelworker buddies enlist together to go to Vietnam, but after they are captured by the Vietcong, their War experiences affect them in radically different ways.
Why did it win? Cimino was at the height of his powers, seemingly the sort of talent who would endure for decades and definitely, certainly not self-destruct by making a film about rollerskating cowboys in just a few short years. What's more, this was the start of the Vietnam movie-era, as Hollywood began to address the concerns of a more recent and morally muddier War than the one that had inspired it for over 30 years.
Did it deserve to win? Yes. In contrast to the previous year, this wasn't that strong a field, but it did see the good Coming Home and Days of Heaven released. Most of the best films of the year, however, were genre (or at least non-drama) efforts: Day of the Dead, Superman, Grease, Halloween and National Lampoon's Animal House.
Worth a look? Yes - just make sure your gun isn't loaded first.
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