What It's About:

When we first meet three young steelworkers from Western Pennsylvania- Michael (Robert DeNiro), Steven (John Savage), and Nick (Christopher Walken), the men, friends since childhood, are celebrating Steven’s marriage, while Mike and Nick take turns flirting with Linda (Meryl Streep). Then all too abruptly the trio gets shipped over to Vietnam for active duty. Soon they are captured by the Vietcong and are forced to endure the misery and torture of a North Vietnamese POW camp. Though eventually they manage to escape, none are home free yet.

Why I Love It:

Solid Vietnam films abound, but few pack the wallop of this highly intense and disturbing feature from then-newcomer Michael Cimino. Beyond the graphic scenes of the group’s inhuman, unbearable captivity, the film shakes us up even more in the aftermath, as the stalwart Michael goes searching for his old friends, a perilous and selfless act of love and loyalty. This gut-and heart-wrenching feature deservedly won Oscars for Best Picture, Director, Screenplay, and Supporting Actor (Walken, who is unforgettable.) Streep also got her first Oscar nod for this. One of the all-time champs, but definitely not for the squeamish.