The Deer Hunter
Robert De Niro as S/Sgt. Michael "Mike" Vronsky. Producer Deeley wanted De Niro for The Deer Hunter because he felt that he needed De Niro's star power to sell a movie with a "gruesome-sounding storyline and a barely known director". De Niro prepared by talking with steelworkers in local bars and by visiting their homes. Cimino would introduce De Niro as his agent, Harry Ufland. No one recognized him. De Niro said this was his most physically exhausting movie. He said that the scene where Michael visits Steve in the hospital for the first time was the most emotional scene that he was ever involved with.