Rent Deliverance (1972)

Survivalist Thriller - A Must Watch - Deliverance review by GI

A harrowing survivalist film with real suspense at its core. A key film of the 70s and one of director John Boorman's best films, it's also the break-out film for Burt Reynolds who went onto star status following this. It tells the story of four city men who go on a canoe trip down a South Georgia river that is soon to be flooded and turned into a gigantic lake. Led by outdoor enthusiast and alpha male Lewis (Reynolds) the other three Ed (Jon Voight), Bobby (Ned Beatty) and Drew (Ronny Cox) are a mixed bunch of optimists and pessimists who are drawn to the trip by Lewis' obvious enthusiasm. Along the journey they have to contend with and form a bond with the wilderness but danger comes from a most unlikely source. Often deemed a horror film this is really a nuanced thriller that has character as it's main theme and it looks at a hidden and perhaps forgotten side of America. There's a constant edginess to the film setting an atmosphere of dread often bought on by Lewis in particular, a man possibly on the edge of sanity. In the end it's the meek character of Ed, who has a psychological issue that will affect their survival chances, who has to step up. This is a film that all film lovers should ensure they see, it's shocking and at times pushes boundaries but always stays just the right side of stretching the limits of credibility. Based on novel by James Dickey, who wrote the screenplay and has a cameo role this also has the great screen character villain Bill McKinney. A superb film and worthy of rediscovery.