The Deer (1974) User Reviews (4)

Lifelong friendship enduring even in the worst of times

[JSL26 · 9/10 · 21 January 2022]

This is a very powerful film about a lifelong friendship that endures even in the worst of times. It is also has a revolutionary message decrying the inequities of life in pre-revolutionary Iran as exemplified by Behrouz Vossoughi's convincing and moving portrayal of the former leader of all his classmates whose life had been ruined by drugs, but who still retains a flicker of his former self..

According to the credits of the showing of this film as part of the National Museum of Asian Art's annual Festival of Iranian films, after its premiere at the Tehran International Film festival in November 1974, SAVAK, the notorious pre-revolution secret police, detained the director and forced him to change the ending. He was also ordered to add new dialogue, changing the identity of the man on the run from an urban guerilla to a bank robber. The museum's showing restored the original ending. Apparently it is still banned in Iran---i.e., it's too revolutionary even for the revolutionaries.

The film's atmosphere reminded me of Andrzej Wajda's "Ashes and Diamonds."

A landmark movie in the Iranian film history

[corrosion-2 · 10/10 · 8 October 2006]

Gavaznha (The Deer) is the pinnacle of cinematic output of the frequent collaborators director Kimiai and actor Vosoughi. This was the seventh and last time that they worked together before parting ways in a very bitter way; Vosoughi emigrating to California while Kimiai still makes films in Iran. Neither of them could create anything near the success of this movie again. Gavazha is one of those films which will lose a lot to non-Iranian audiences as Kimiai's unique dialogue is very hard to translate to any other language. It was made before the Iranian revolution and was labelled a revolutionary film in its time. It was heavily censored and the tale of a anti-government insurgent on the run was changed to that of an armed robber on the run. The film is about true friendship and how far you would go to make sacrifices for your friends. The friends are Ghodrat "the bank robber" on the run and Seyed, a former athlete who has become a drug addict. Seyed, who before succumbing to addiction was in love with Ghodrat's sister, gives shelter to Ghodrat and Ghodrat tries to free Seyed from his miserable drug addiction. The dialogues between the two have become legendary in Iran and Vosoughi's performance is truly astonishing. A lovely film that recalls Midnight Cowboy and is a must for fans of Iranian cinema.

A masterpiece portrait of an opium addicted man trying to function despite of his condition

[DaniDaniDaniDani · 10/10 · 19 July 2005]

A truly moving piece of picture. This is the story of an man who in spite of his addiction tries to function and figure out his life. The picture of drugs as the cancer of the pre revolutionary Iran makes even the stone-hearted weak. This movie was used as a critic to the power holders of 70s Iran. Before going on set and shoot for this movie Vousoughi spend about 3 months in an institution for drug addicted men outside of Tehran. Behrooz Vousoughi does perhaps the best interpretation of an drug addicted man on the screen. The director Masud Kimiai is still considered as one of the brightest minds in Pershing speaking movies. His

Friendship Persian style. great.

[milad621 · 10/10 · 6 May 2011]

I had watched this movie two times. But I decided to watch again this movie after about 8 years. This time I enjoy even more despite I knew all the story. Nobody can watch this movie without crying even if it's not the first time seeing movie. I didn't know Faramarz Gharibian had part in this movie. Another great acting by Behrouz Vosoughi. I enjoyed the music. This movie had some limitations. They wanted Farhad to sing for that song but they didn't permitted. Also I think they change the poem of song. really beautiful music. Friendship Persian style. Lot of touching scenes. I think this is the best movie about addiction and maybe best Persian movie(in my opinion yes). I recommend this movie.