Paul Gambaccini explores how the Vietnam War film The Deer Hunter, starring Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep and Christopher Walken, won Best Picture Oscar in 1978, at the 51st Academy Awards ceremony.

When the film emerged as a potential winner, it was only three years since the war had ended.

The film became the subject of huge controversy, not least for its portrayal of the Vietnamese as sadistic torturers, and for the unforgettable scenes featuring a game of Russian roulette.

Paul explores how the original shocking screenplay came about, the battles between the producers, and director Michael Cimino's approach to acting that almost brought the cast to the edge of a nervous breakdown.

He also ponders whether The Deer Hunter was actually even a war film at all.

Series about how some of the greatest Oscar-winning films were made, and what they tell us about the history of the time.

Producer: Sarah Jane Hall

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2010. Show less