DEER HUNTER, THE 81
similar attack mounted by WWI Canada’s top flying ace, William Avery “Billy”
Bishop (1894–1956). On 2 June 1917 Bishop flew a solo mission behind enemy
lines to attack a German aerodrome. Though there were no corroborating witnesses,
Bishop claimed that he shot down three enemy aircraft that were taking off to attack
him and destroyed several more on the ground. For this feat, he was awarded the
Victoria Cross (VC), only one of two without witnesses to the alleged action. Author
Brereton Greenhous contends that Bishop was “a brave flier— and a consummate,
bold liar” who regularly embellished his exploits. He further argues that Bishop’s
attack on the German aerodrome likely never happened (Greenhous, 2002, p. 13).
Deer Hunter, The (1978)
Synopsis
The Deer Hunter is an American Vietnam War epic co- written and directed by
Michael Cimino about a trio of Russian- American steelworkers (played by Robert
De Niro, Christopher Walken, and John Savage) who are wounded physically, psy-
chologically, and emotionally by their horrific experiences in Vietnam.
Five blue- collar buddies played by (left to right) Christopher Walken, Robert DeNiro,
Chuck Aspegren, John Savage, and John Cazale emerge from their shift at the steel mill
in Clairton, Pennsylvania, in an early scene from Michael Cimino’s Vietnam War epic,
The Deer Hunter (1978). (Universal Pictures/Photofest)