Deliverance (1972) *****

This movie is famous for two things: First, the song “Dueling Banjos” and its link with scary, rural people. Second is the “squeal like a pig” rape scene. It's a shame that the film is mostly remembered for its most sensationalistic elements, as there is a lot more to it.

Four friends, Lewis (Burt Reynolds), Ed (Jon Voight), Bobby (Ned Beatty), and Drew (Ronny Cox) enter the Appalachian backwoods of Georgia for a canoe trip down a dammed river. Full of rapids and trout, the river will soon disappear under a rising reservoir. The friends debate the merits of damming such a river, with Lewis arguing for the value of wilderness, while his more city-fied friends point out the advantages of hydroelectric power and nice, tame motorboating on the reservoir.

The adventure starts even before they get on the river, as they wander the mountain roads and meet a variety of inbred-looking hillbillies. Both groups view each other with suspicion, but Drew does manage to make a connection with a banjo-playing young man by pulling out his guitar. The two play a rousing version of “Dueling Banjos,” (which became a worldwide hit.) As you may have guessed, this friendly interlude with the locals doesn't last.

First, though, there is some whitewater paddling. Director John Boorman got stunning footage of the actors paddling some impressive rapids, making the film required viewing for anyone remotely interested in rivers. The friends also fish and camp out, giving Bobby and Drew their first night under the stars. Meanwhile, Lewis waxes poetic about wilderness, survival, and other manly things.

At some point, as can happen on float trips, the party gets separated. Lewis and Bobby meet up with a couple of mountain men who are more than just scary-looking. The hillbillies have no regard for a couple of city boys, and they proceed to rape Bobby, forcing their portly victim to “squeal like a pig.” They are about to do the same to Ed, remarking that he “sure does have a pretty mouth,” when Lewis and Drew arrive on the scene.

That's all I'll say about the plot. If you haven't seen “Deliverance,” and you absolutely should, it's too good for me to ruin any more of the action for you.

Based on the novel by James Dickey, “Deliverance” is directed by John Boorman, director of the classic 1967 noir “Point Blank.” While the film reportedly adheres pretty closely to the book, Dickey apparently grumbled bitterly about any changes, ultimately getting into a fistfight with Boorman. Dickey was banned from the set, although he was later allowed to return for a cameo as the local sheriff.

“Deliverance” is a rural horror film, but it's a lot more than that. Even as the movie turns the hillbillies, the mountains, and the wild river into sources of danger, it also celebrates them. We see opposing sides of rural life. Some of the locals obviously visit suspicion and much worse upon the men, but at the end, some local people welcome them into their home for dinner. We see a small town that will be swallowed up by the reservoir, a whole way of life lost, but the cab driver tells the men that being flooded will be “the best thing that ever happened to this town.”

As much as I love this movie, it's possible that, on average, men will dig it more than women. With its violence, macho themes, and outdoor adventure, the movie does skew towards traditional male interests. This doesn't mean women should avoid it, though, any more than men should miss out on Jane Austin's stories.

For me, this is a classic that will always bear repeat viewing. They say you never float the same river twice, and it's the same with this film. I find something new each time I watch, and I'll always be ready for another trip down the river.

5 stars out of 5