Deliverance Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Four city dudes go on a canoe trip, meet some locals who really, *really* don’t like tourists, and things escalate to the point where everyone regrets everything, but mostly the canoes.

🍿 Deliverance: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Canoe Trip Begins

Four Atlanta businessmen, Lewis, Ed, Bobby, and Drew, embark on a canoeing trip down the Cahulawassee River in rural Georgia. Lewis, the experienced outdoorsman, organizes the trip as a last chance to see the river before it’s dammed and turned into a lake. The group anticipates a weekend of adventure and male bonding before civilization encroaches on this pristine wilderness.

Encounter with the Locals

The group interacts with the local mountain folk, who are depicted as isolated and unwelcoming. A brief connection occurs when Drew engages in a musical duel (‘Dueling Banjos’) with a local boy, showcasing a blend of cultural exchange and underlying tension. However, the interaction ends abruptly, highlighting the divide between the city dwellers and the rural community.

A Brutal Assault

While separated from Lewis and Drew, Ed and Bobby encounter two menacing mountain men. The encounter turns violent when Bobby is brutally assaulted and sodomized by one of the men, while Ed is tied up and helpless. This harrowing scene marks a turning point in the film, shattering the illusion of a harmless adventure and exposing the men to a raw and savage reality.

Aftermath and Descent into Survival

Lewis arrives and kills Bobby’s attacker with an arrow. Faced with the moral and legal implications of their actions, the group decides to bury the body and continue their journey, fearing retribution from the local community and distrustful of the legal system. This decision sets them on a path of further moral compromise and escalating danger.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ed (Jon Voight): A somewhat timid family man who finds unexpected courage and leadership during a harrowing canoeing trip.
• Lewis (Burt Reynolds): An alpha male and experienced outdoorsman who organizes the ill-fated canoeing trip and values survival above all else.
• Bobby (Ned Beatty): An overweight and unassertive insurance salesman who is brutally assaulted and forever changed by the experience.
• Drew (Ronny Cox): A good-natured guitar player and the moral compass of the group, who questions the decisions made after the assault.
• Mountain Man (Bill McKinney): A ruthless and violent hillbilly who commits a brutal act, setting off a chain of tragic events.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lewis: “Sometimes you have to lose yourself ‘fore you can find anything.” – Lewis’s philosophy about challenging oneself, foreshadowing the group’s harrowing experience.
• Mountain Man: “He got a real pretty mouth, ain’t he?” – The chilling line spoken by one of the mountain men, hinting at the violence to come.
• Mountain Man: “You got to do some praying for me boy, you better pray real good.” – A further sinister taunt by the toothless man when threatening Ed after the rape scene, heightening the tension.
• Bobby: “Squeal like a pig!” – The horrifying command forced upon Bobby during the assault, becoming a dark and infamous phrase.
• Sheriff Bullard: “Don’t ever do nothing’ like this again. Don’t ever come back up here.” – The Sheriff’s warning at the end, leaving the unspoken consequences hanging in the air.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $46,122,355
• Worldwide Gross: $46,122,355

💥 Deliverance Reviews

Personal Review

Deliverance is a film that stayed with me long after the credits rolled. The sense of isolation and dread is palpable, and the transformation of the characters is both fascinating and disturbing. The ‘Dueling Banjos’ scene is iconic, but the real power of the film lies in its exploration of human nature when pushed to its limits. I found myself genuinely frightened by the situation the men faced, making it an intense movie-watching experience.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of thrillers and survival stories.”
  • “Those interested in films exploring themes of masculinity and violence.”
  • “Viewers who appreciate strong performances and realistic portrayals of human nature under extreme pressure.”
  • “Individuals interested in the exploration of the complex relationship between urban and rural cultures.”
  • “Those who enjoy analyzing films with complex moral and ethical ambiguities.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence, including sexual assault.”
  • “Strong language.”
  • “Disturbing and intense scenes.”
  • “Mature themes.”
  • “May not be suitable for sensitive viewers.”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Deliverance is a chilling and unforgettable thriller, expertly directed by John Boorman and featuring strong performances from its cast. The film’s depiction of man’s struggle against nature and other men is both terrifying and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impact on viewers.
• Roger Ebert: “Ebert hailed Deliverance as a masterful work of suspense and character study, emphasizing the film’s exploration of primal instincts and the fragility of civilization. He admired Boorman’s direction and the cast’s commitment to their roles, noting the film’s unflinching portrayal of violence and its lasting psychological impact.

Audience Reactions

The raw and realistic portrayal of survival in the face of unimaginable circumstances deeply moved viewers.: Audiences agree the film’s tension and suspense are masterfully crafted, making it a gripping and unforgettable cinematic experience.

Overall Consensus: Deliverance is widely regarded as a powerful and disturbing thriller that explores themes of survival, masculinity, and the dark side of human nature. Its intense atmosphere and strong performances have made it a lasting classic.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Adapted Screenplay)- 1973

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Sam Peckinpah was originally slated to direct Deliverance, but John Boorman acquired the rights to the novel first.”
• “To cut costs, the production was not insured, leading to financial risks when Burt Reynolds broke his coccyx during filming.”
• “The “Dueling Banjos” scene was the first one filmed and much of the rest of the movie was shot in sequence.”
• “Director John Boorman chose to use local people, not actors, to portray secondary characters.”
• “The Cahulawassee River is fictional, but the movie was filmed on the Chattooga River which divides Georgia and South Carolina. The year after filming, 31 people drowned attempting to canoe that same section of the river.”

🖥️ How to Watch Deliverance?

Deliverance is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable and streaming options. It’s often available for physical purchase on DVD and Blu-ray as well.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Deliverance, you might like these similar films:

• Straw Dogs (1971): Similar themes of city dwellers encountering violence and savagery in a rural setting.
• Southern Comfort (1981): A group of National Guardsmen on weekend maneuvers in the Louisiana swamp are terrorized by local Cajuns after they mistakenly steal their canoes.
• The Revenant (2015): A survival story about a man left for dead in the wilderness, mirroring the themes of endurance and the brutality of nature.
• I Spit on Your Grave (1978): This exploitation film has similar themes of urbanites facing brutal violence in a rural environment.
• Eden Lake (2008): A modern horror film where a couple on vacation is terrorized by a group of violent youths, exploring similar themes of urban vs. rural conflict.

🛒 Deliverance Related Products

• Deliverance (Blu-ray): Experience the breathtaking visuals and haunting sound of Deliverance in stunning high definition with this Blu-ray edition. Includes special features and behind-the-scenes content.
• Deliverance: James Dickey (Kindle Edition): Dive deeper into the story with James Dickey’s original novel, a gripping exploration of primal instincts and survival.
• Duelling Banjos Sheet Music: Learn to play the iconic ‘Duelling Banjos’ theme with this sheet music. Perfect for musicians and fans of the film’s soundtrack.
• Chattooga River Map – Hiking and Paddling Guide: Experience where the film was made and safely navigate the area. Full trail information including put in, take outs, river mileages, and rapids included.

🎧 Soundtrack

Deliverance features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Duelling Banjos” – performed by Eric Weissberg & Steve Mandell
• “Old Joe Clark” – performed by Ronny Cox

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Deliverance Interviews (Ronny Cox, Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds & Ned Beatty)

Dive into the minds of the iconic cast as they reminisce about the groundbreaking ‘Deliverance’ and its lasting impact on pop culture. From Burt Reynolds’ candid thoughts on the film to Ned Beatty’s unforgettable ‘squeal like a pig’ moment, this interview is a treasure trove for fans.

Burt Reynolds On The “Deliverance” Line People Are Always Quoting To Him | CONAN on TBS

Prepare for a chuckle as Burt Reynolds unveils the hilarious story behind casting a key character in ‘Deliverance’. This lighthearted interview offers a fun and engaging perspective on the film.

Burt Reynolds funny Deliverance Story #shorts #funny @TeamCoco

Join Burt Reynolds for a side-splitting story from the set of ‘Deliverance’. This short and sweet anecdote captures the film’s spirit of adventure and humor.

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