6. Michael (Robert De Niro) - The Deer Hunter (1978)
Whats more fun than going to war? Obviously, going to war with your best friends Christopher Walken and John Savage is, then watching in horror as all your lives are forever ruined. Compared to his buddies, The Deer Hunters Michael gets it pretty easy Savages Steven loses his legs after falling out of a helicopter, while Walkens Nicky winds up as a Russian roulette player, which is one of the more dangerous sports to take up professionally but still makes it back home a changed man. At first a sensitive, slightly eccentric (You see this? This aint somethin' else, this is THIS) but altogether pretty average guy, Michael returns to his home town awkward, cold and forever battle-hardened. The Deer Hunter shows how warfare can destroy friendships, render troopers social pariahs and put recruits through the most imaginative and dangerous betting game this side of Southeast Asia.