The first hour of the film "The Deer Hunter", allows us to truly see the naivety of the group before the war. We get to know Michael, Nick, and Steve before they join the war. In addition, we get a sense of the roles each character will play. Michael is the strong type, more suited to lead. Nick is more quiet and innocent. This is important to note, as those who go in to the war the most innocent, come out the most changed. Furthermore, hunting is a recurring theme. Pre-war we see that killing ambition in "one-shot, one-kill"; however after they come home it is clear this is not the case.
At the wedding we see foreshadowing of what is to come. The most interesting part however is the green beret. At first silent, until they reveal they are going, then he responds by saying "Fuck it". Just looking and listening to him depicts the toll that the war will take on them. Afterwards, we see Nick ask Michael not to leave him there. This foreshadows the ending. In country, the soldiers unite once more, and are captured and forced to play Russian roulette. This is our first look at the sadistic game. Before too much has taken a toll on them, they are frightened from playing. Even after they return home, they never actually return to the way things were. A piece of them will always remain there, and no matter what any of them say or promise, they can never actually come back from there.
It seems clear this is an Anti-War film. It touches base on one of the most controversial topics of the war, PTSD. We are able to see beyond the grotesque nature of war, and see that it never allows the soldiers to fully leave. A piece of them will always be there, and they will never get that back. Furthermore, this film goes further to discuss the suicidal tendencies, and the need for the rush in the game of Russian roulette. This game is exactly what the soldiers feel they need to do, in order to keep their sanity. It is clear that this film takes a strong stance against the war.
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