A Reel 50: DELIVERANCE

“Sometimes you have to lose yourself before you can find anything…”

This month marks the 50^th anniversary of John Boorman’s DELIVERANCE. 

 

A survival thriller based on the 1970 novel of the same name, DELIVERANCE followed four city men who go for a canoeing trip in the Georgia outback and encounter terrifying encounters with inbred locals. 

 

The film was based on the 1970 novel of the same name by James Dickey, who also adapted the material for the screen. The film was primarily shot in Rabun County in northeast Georgia, with the canoe scenes filmed in the Tallulah Gorge and on the Chattooga River.  The four friends would be the driving force of the film, and names such as Gene Hackman, Lee Marvin, Jack Nicholson, and Marlon Brando were considered. The cast was eventually settled on Burt Reynolds, Jon Voight, Ronny Cox, and Ned Beatty. The latter two actors would be making their feature film debuts. 

 

The production became famous for cutting costs by not carrying insurance, and having the actors perform their own stunts. The film would also record a rendition of the decades-old musical piece Dueling Banjos, which would become a hit single. 

 

Despite its darkness and disturbing scenes, DELIVERANCE was well received by critics and hailed as one of the best films of 1972. It would earn three Oscar nominations (Best Picture, Director, Film Editing), and Dueling Banjos would take home a Grammy. It would finish as the fourth-highest grossing film of the year. Following release, a state film commission was established to encourage film and TV production in Georgia, which has continued into today. In 2008, DELIVERANCE was selected for preservation in the United States Film Registry by the Library of Congress. 

 

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DELIVERANCE carries the reputation of being one of the most shocking films ever made, with its grim nature, real-world horrors, and isolated terror. It explores themes of man vs. nature, city fellas vs. country boys, and stalks the idea of masculinity…thanks to an unforgettable rape scene. The film has made an impact in culture, not just because of the rape or the banjos, but the feeling of dread when entering an isolated area in the wilderness. This Blogger has often heard companions say “I hear banjos” whenever in the woods or feeling lost on a backroad, which speaks to the longevity of DELIVERANCE. 

 

“You don’t beat this river…”