Das Herz ist ein einsamer Jäger

I cannot forget the theme music of "The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter" by Dave Grusin. There's a certain pervading peacefulness listening to its strains. Watching the film again on cable reminded me how impressed I was when I first saw it. Ever since, I kept an eye on movies with Alan Arkin in it -- his performance as John Singer, a deaf-mute, was sensitively delivered and commanded respect. It was Sondra Locke's debut appearance. She was young and slim, perfect for the role of "Mick", who learned to accept his disability and was able to share her love of music with him.

Along this life's journey of Singer, his friends included Chuck McCann as the plump fellow deaf-mute, who's playful and loved chocolates; Stacy Keach as the recovering alcoholic and new found chess mate; Percy Rodriguez as the self-righteous black Doctor who has his strife and discords with his daughter Portia, portrayed by a young Cicely Tyson. Lessons in diversity and tolerance are subtly evident as the story progresses. The ending is certainly not of Hollywood standard. Cinematographer James Wong Howe certainly tied in hope through his lens on the final shot with Mick (Sondra Locke) in it.

This film about reaching out and touching someone, irrespective of one's ability to verbally communicate or via signs, of one's race, color, or background, still rings true.

I will not forget this movie for the rest of my life! Although the direction is excellent with a very good script and good production values, the performances are the standout aspect of this remarkable film. Alan Arkin and Sondra Locke make the film work and were both nominated for Oscars for their work here. Their scenes are magic, but Arkin is easily the stronger performance of the two. The supporting cast is very good, but Chuck McCann deserves special mention here. A comedian who's work has mainly been very lighthearted, he plays a straight dramatic role here and does a excellent job. A very human, very touching, very emotional film, the last 15-20 minutes will stay with you a very long time. Turner Classic Movies runs this on occasion and it is currently in print. Most highly recommended.

I'm 55, and have seen countless movies in my day, from silents to computerized re-makes of classics. I won't repeat all the wonderful things said about this movie by others, but only endorse their views and feelings: The filming, the setting, the story, the casting, the music....combined they add up to make this movie stand out a bit above all others. I saw "Lonely Hunter" when it came out, and perhaps 2 or 3 times since then, and it has certainly stood the test of time. I don't see how you could find a more moving, sensitive, and thought-provoking production. Only recently have I read the book, and, despite one viewer's comments, believe the film to be a wonderfully compact and visual interpretation of same; a joy to behold, and one that has positively influenced my life in many ways. Would just like to add that the latest movie to have such an effect on me, although not necessarily for the positive(!), has been "American Beauty". "The Heart" surely rates a 10/10!

I took my girlfriend to see this movie in 1968. At the end, I was sobbing. I didn't stop crying until we had driven a mile or so from the movie theatre. She looked at me as if I was out of my mind.

This week I bought the movie, to see how it would affect me 30 years later. Not quite the same emotional impact (well, I knew the ending), but still a very powerful movie.

Recently I heard a director say that the most important things conveyed in movies are not the words that are said, but the words that are not said.

This movie is filled with words not said. The protagonist, John Singer, is an emotional cipher. Alan Arkin had the good sense to underplay him. You can pour all of your own feelings into him.

I could quibble about some elements now, but this is, at essence, a story of the heart. Thirty years after first seeing this movie, it still stands up, and still touches my heart in a way few movies have.

now i would like to say this is one of the best movies i have ever seen. and in being the best, it is also the saddest. I would like to say i cried for an hour at least on this movie, and not how my life relates to it, but on the actually movie and how bad I felt about their lives. and i cried hard. not cried.. i wept.. i wept like a baby. i wept so much and hard that my stomach muscles hurt me. wow. good movie. go see it.