Why Did They Play Russian Roulette in the Deer Hunter?

The Vietnam War was a brutal and horrific conflict that lasted for over a decade. Tens of thousands of American soldiers were killed, and even more were wounded.

The war took a heavy toll on the Vietnamese people as well, with an estimated two million civilians killed.

One of the most iconic scenes from the war is the Russian roulette scene from the movie The Deer Hunter. In the scene, a group of American soldiers are captured by the Viet Cong and are forced to play Russian roulette.

The game is deadly, and the soldiers are clearly terrified.

So why did they do it? There are a few possible explanations.

First, it’s possible that the Viet Cong simply wanted to torture their captives. Russian roulette is a very effective way to do that, as it instills fear and terror in the victims.

Second, it’s possible that the Viet Cong wanted to send a message to other American soldiers. By forcing them to play Russian roulette, they were sending a clear message that they were not to be messed with.

Third, it’s possible that the Viet Cong wanted to create propaganda footage. The Deer Hunter was a hugely popular movie, and the Russian roulette scene was one of the most memorable parts of it.

By forcing American soldiers to play Russian roulette, they were creating footage that could be used in propaganda films to show how brutal and cruel the Viet Cong could be.

Ultimately, we may never know exactly why the Viet Cong made those American soldiers play Russian roulette in The Deer Hunter. But what we do know is that it was a horrific and traumatizing experience for all involved.