Locations Used Scouts/Managers Before we Begin Filming Locations Copyright


The Deer Hunter - Synopsis

This epic look at the Vietnam War and its effects told through the lives of a tight knit group of friends from a Pennsylvania town was Michael Cimino's second film and established him in the pantheon of American directors. Complex and emotionally raw performances from Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep earned each an Academy Award nomination, and Christopher Walken's portrayal of Nick, who survives capture but is unable to escape its trauma, is a tour de force that earned him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. With a keen eye for nuance and a carefully structured script, Cimino interweaves the rituals great and small that make up the lives of his characters, creating a poignant sense of what remained constant and what was forever changed by their experience of the war.

 


Filming Locations Used

Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Washington State, Bangkok - Thailand and Kanthaburi Thailand.

If you can provide any additional information related to the filming or would like to submit a photograph of how an actual location looks now, please click here to contact us. (Please remember to enter the film name and still number located if you hover your mouse over an image)

 

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Location Managers Scouts and Assistants

The Location managers and scouts for this film (according to IMDB) were Frank Ernst, M.R. Boonyalak Sukawasdi and Charles Hubbard. If this information is incorrect please contact me along with the film name. Click here to go to the contact form

 

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Before we Begin

Below are the NOW and THEN shots of the filming locations used in Michael Cimino, The Deer Hunter. The now shots are taken accordingly during our recent visit to the places (2007) while the then shots are the still images from the movie (1978). This is a direct visual comparison of how the filming locations have changed over time. Some places and buildings are now totally unrecognizable due to massive development and area progress while some have undergone the opposite direction towards deterioration and decay. Some places, however, have stayed intact as they were, unaffected by the passage of weather and time.

The order below is the same order from the beginning to the end of the movie. If you can provide further information or help me locate the missing links, it will be greatly appreciated. These are all my personal observations and any form of constructive criticism or informative suggestion would be most welcome. Roly – Filming Locations Detectives If you know where the filming took place for this film, please use the contact form to get in touch. Click here to go to the contact form Thanks Roly – Filming Locations Detectives

 

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Filming locations  

 

First and foremost I would like to say a big thank you to the forum members of The Deer Hunter Tribute website, for all the information you have given to me to help find the filming locations of this great film, without you lot, it may have taken years to find the filming locations.

When driving to the different filming locations of The Deer Hunter, it felt we were driving back in time, it looked and felt like the different towns have not changed a great deal, in the boom times of the Steel Mills, the hustle and bussle must have been incredible, now we noticed boarded up and smoke damaged buildings, bars closed and not many persons milling around, that’s just my thoughts. Roly Keates

 

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The Opening Scene

Showcasing the steel works


(Click on the (1978) film grab for a better & larger image)

Do you recognise where this scene was filmed? Did you work on the production? If so please contact us and help us to update the website. As we have sleuthed many locations, please don't forget to include the film grab number and film name (located if you place your mouse pointer over the image.) We will give you full credit for your information, thanks. Click here to go to the contact form


(Click on the photos for a better & larger image)

Click here for bigger image
Click here for bigger image

The Opening Scene

The truck thunders round the corner towards the Central Blast Furnace.


(Click on the (1978) film grabs for a better & larger image)

The filming location of this scene is located at the foot of Logan Ave and Commercial St in Mingo Jct Ohio. Ernie's gas is on the left and is still there today. Thanks to Corry for pointing this out.

If you would like to submit a photograph or have any additional information please contact us and help us to update the website. As we have sleuthed many locations, please don't forget to include the film grab number and film name (located if you place your mouse pointer over the image.) We will give you full credit for your information, thanks. Click here to go to the contact form


(Click on the photos for a better & larger image)

Click here for bigger image
Click here for bigger image

 

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Finishing work

Banter between the friends


(Click on the (1978) film grabs for a better & larger image)

The Widowmaker, Commercial St, Mingo Jct, Ohio was used as the location for these scenes.

If you would like to submit a photograph or have any additional information please contact us and help us to update the website. As we have sleuthed many locations, please don't forget to include the film grab number and film name (located if you place your mouse pointer over the image.) We will give you full credit for your information, thanks. Click here to go to the contact form


(Click on the photos for a better & larger image)

Click here for bigger image
Click here for bigger image

 

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Finishing work

Banter between the friends


(Click on the (1978) film grabs for a better & larger image)

Click to play the application


The Widowmaker, Commercial St, Mingo Jct, Ohio was used as the location for these scenes. We decided to enter into the carpark area of the Widow Maker to take a few shots, however these photos never came out only the above video.

If you would like to submit a photograph or have any additional information please contact us and help us to update the website. As we have sleuthed many locations, please don't forget to include the film grab number and film name (located if you place your mouse pointer over the image.) We will give you full credit for your information, thanks. Click here to go to the contact form


(Click on the photos for a better & larger image)

Click here for bigger image
Click here for bigger image

 

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Leaving work and heading towards Mingo Bar

knocking off work.


(Click on the (1978) film grabs for a better & larger image)

The left photo is taken in the carpark of the Widowmaker, notice in the film grab the works, as you can see in the actual shot taken by us no works can be seen. The carpark was empty, not sure if they run two shifts or not now. The other photo is taken off the bridge where the truck is coming under as the guys where just about to pull out. The Street Location is Commercial St, Mingo Juntion, Ohio.


(Click on the (2007) photos for a better & larger image)

The Deer Hunter actual Location 10
The Deer Hunter actual Location 9

Racing the truck

Michael (Robert DeNiro) places bets


(Click on the (1978) film grab for a better & larger image)

The filming location of this scene is located on Commercial St, Mingo Jct Ohio. The high wall has long since gone, tall trees now cover where the railway track was located.


(Click on the (2007) photos for a better & larger image)

The Deer Hunter actual Location 11

 

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Mingo Bar

Mingo Bar owned by John (George DZUNDZA)


(Click on the (1978) film grabs for a better & larger image)

Click to play the application


Mingo Bar is now an empty lot. Not quite sure if Mingo bar ever existed or it was a sound stage.

If you would like to submit a photograph or have any additional information please contact us and help us to update the website. As we have sleuthed many locations, please don't forget to include the film grab number and film name (located if you place your mouse pointer over the image.) We will give you full credit for your information, thanks. Click here to go to the contact form


(Click on the (2007) photos for a better & larger image)

The Deer Hunter actual Location 7
The Deer Hunter actual Location 8

 

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE............


 

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Additional and Copyright Information

Please note, this is a hobby website, the only purpose we use film grabs is to show a direct comparison how buildings, landscapes etc have changed since the time of filming, we do not use the film grabs in any other material. All photographs and homemade videos are (copyrighted) to Roland Keates aka, Filming Locations Detectives, or otherwise specified. Part of the material is not our property and is exposed, we respect copyright laws and only use the film grabs for visual information. No COPYRIGHT infringement intended, however if you require us to remove the film grabs, please inform us so we can immediately see to its removal. If you wish to reproduce anything from this website, please contact us. Click here to go to the contact form to contact me, thanks Roly

Creative Commons License

Words and photos are licenced under a Creative Commons Licence.


 

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