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Deliverance


Re-watched this movie recently for the first time in decades and was totally immersed in seconds. Classic movie directed by John Boorman that either involves man vs. nature, man vs. man, or man vs. himself, however you want to see it. I think it includes all three themes and is the better for it.

All about four city men who travel to a Georgia river that is soon to be dammed and turned into a lake, according to the leader of the group, Lewis (Burt Reynolds). Lewis and his closest friend, Ed (Jon Voight) are more experienced. The two green men along for the trip are Bobby (Ned Beatty) and Drew (Ronny Cox). The various personalities either mesh or clash, particularly Lewis against Bobby. Ed and Bobby pull to shore in their canoe and are assaulted by two backwoodsmen. Veteran actor Bill McKinney is the recognizable actor here and he plays the vicious hillbilly terrifyingly, raping Bobby. The scene is horrifying because of the violence, yet the lead up to it has more tension than the actual act, which is edited in such a way that you think you're seeing more than you do.

When the other hillbilly is about to assault Ed, they are saved by Lewis, who uses his compound bow and arrows to deadly effect on McKinney's character. The other gets away and the four men conspire to cover up the rapist's death. It goes downhill for the men from then on as they realize they are being stalked from the shore by the other man. They must pull all they have from themselves to survive not only the bad man but the elements. Each man responds differently and some truly find the strength to do the unspeakable.

This is one tense, but very thrilling (not in a fun way) movie. Perfectly photographed and edited, excellently acted and tightly directed, this is one of Boorman's best movies, and in my opinion, one of the best movies ever made. I was lucky enough to see this movie at the cinema when it was first released and it's still just as effective today. And it's justifiably famous for it's song, "Dueling Banjos," which is played out near the beginning of the movie. As I inferred at the beginning, I saw this just the other night on cable and could watch it again today.