Deliverance is the gold standard in hicksploitaton film-making, or so I thought going in. Truth is, it's more of a survival film, with four friends going down a dangerous river before the habitat is destroyed by a dam, but it's the bits with the "hillbillies" that are most memorable. And so even after all these years, the film still confounds expectations. First, the hero isn't the one you think. Second, it's less urbanite vs. hillbilly than it is man against nature, with the mountain men a manifestation of nature's ire. And third, despite it's seemingly simple action plot, Deliverance is really about something, or about many things. It's about extreme nature reverting men to their animal instincts. In some ways, about what it means to be a man, with all its gender-normative specificity. And it has a lot more psychological depth than you would expect, especially in the final act. Plus, no better banjo duel in the whole of cinematic history.
This movie has been on my to-watch list for years and I finally saw it last night. Was surprised by how little hillbilly action there was, but I like it when a movie leaves me wanting more as opposed to giving me too much. Another thing it left me feeling short of was Burt Reynolds. I thought he was the main character!
Like Burt Reynold's mustache-less face, this movie bears little resemblance to what you expect going in. Subsequent portrayals and parodies lead you to expect something like Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Children of the Corn, but instead you get a pretty compelling man vs nature story.
I liked the setting and also the acting wasn't half bad.
But i agree it didn't age that well. I saw this movie for the first time a few weeks ago. And all the shocking parts aren't that shocking or disturbing anymore these days.
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Siskoid
Deliverance is the gold standard in hicksploitaton film-making, or so I thought going in. Truth is, it's more of a survival film, with four friends going down a dangerous river before the habitat is destroyed by a dam, but it's the bits with the "hillbillies" that are most memorable. And so even after all these years, the film still confounds expectations. First, the hero isn't the one you think. Second, it's less urbanite vs. hillbilly than it is man against nature, with the mountain men a manifestation of nature's ire. And third, despite it's seemingly simple action plot, Deliverance is really about something, or about many things. It's about extreme nature reverting men to their animal instincts. In some ways, about what it means to be a man, with all its gender-normative specificity. And it has a lot more psychological depth than you would expect, especially in the final act. Plus, no better banjo duel in the whole of cinematic history.Nine99
Duelling banjos!luckofthe_irish04
Very disturbing film, but great.devilsadvocado
This movie has been on my to-watch list for years and I finally saw it last night. Was surprised by how little hillbilly action there was, but I like it when a movie leaves me wanting more as opposed to giving me too much. Another thing it left me feeling short of was Burt Reynolds. I thought he was the main character!MarkE89
Man, my canoe-skills are overrated watchin' these a-here regular Indians.. Powerful..Looking for Burt's vest, if anyone's sellin'..
epp
Squeal like a pig!Caerus
Like Burt Reynold's mustache-less face, this movie bears little resemblance to what you expect going in. Subsequent portrayals and parodies lead you to expect something like Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Children of the Corn, but instead you get a pretty compelling man vs nature story.Giacco
spectacular film filled with suspence.hanseco
Great movie!lauli
Great thrillerkurvduam
(removed by mod: please post in English)shaveen
Old classic movie !! 7/10ReVision
I liked the setting and also the acting wasn't half bad.But i agree it didn't age that well. I saw this movie for the first time a few weeks ago. And all the shocking parts aren't that shocking or disturbing anymore these days.
nicolaskrizan
a different call of the wildhttps://beyond1001movies.wordpress.com/2015/03/05/backtrack-deliverance-1972/
JCS
Not that great, aged badly.Showing items 1 – 15 of 18