A more brutal side to life. (Deliverance (DVD))

Member Name: *stonie*

Product:	Deliverance (DVD)
Date:	02/09/01 (451 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Eye-opener, Dramatic, unpredictable

Disadvantages: Disturbing, the plot isn't always clear

I watched this film knowing only that it was a film about some men trying to canoe down a river on East Coast America…however, this film brings more into your mind than light-hearted, home entertainment!

Set on a river running near to the Appalachian mountains in east USA, the film follows four men; Lewis, Drew, Bobby and Ed, through their attempt at a weekend, exercising their cave-man instinct to work with nature. With the likes of canoeing, fishing, building fires and cooking in mind…as you can predict with a film, something has to go wrong for there to be something for there to be a film about!

…”The best laid plans of mice and men…”

The Plot In A Nutshell…

Well, we’ve established that these men want to be all manly and canoe down a river, but on their way to the river, they drive through some remote and somewhat scary, hillbilly settlements. Here, they stop to persuade some of them to drive their cars downstream, so that they will be waiting for them when they’ve canoed down.

During these few scenes, you pick up on the idea that the hillbillies are rather less-than-keen on these strange outsiders who are threatening their solitude, and their welcome is considerably hostile. However, while Lewis (Burt Reynolds) and Ed (Jon Voight) are negotiating with the hillbillies, there is an unexpected (and odd, to say the least) scene with an inbred hillbilly youngster playing his banjo. I’ll say no more about that scene, other than it sets an atmosphere for the rest of the film.

So, they set off on their trip, having only seen the river, (which is to be flooded a few days later by the authorities for water control) on a map.

The first day goes by, with a few deep and meaningful scenes. However, from the second day it all becomes a blur of human violence of the worst kind, disturbing acts of desperation, murder, rape, and a mix of the most extreme e
motions.

After Thoughts

Do you know what I mean when I say that you get a film or a book that you can’t quite get your head around? You know, the ones that have a really big impact on you? Well, for me, this was one of those films. I found it really disturbing, but I think it tells you a lot about human nature.

A Few Facts For You

The film was made in 1972 and that year was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

Ned Batty (who played Bobby) said in an interview afterwards that ‘Deliverance’ was his first film and it still haunts him today.

The actors all worked in this film under no insurance, as no insurance companies would cover them due to the risks they would be taking in the river and cliff scenes.

Burt Reynolds admitted that this film changed his career and his life.

Final Note

This film is not excellent. In some places the acting is not quite up to standard, and the plot is not always clear, so I suggest you listen carefully. On the other hand, I’d say it is definitely one to watch. It makes you see a side to the world that you’re more than likely to pass by, going about your everyday lives.

It’s not pleasant, and if you tend to take the attitude that ignorance is bliss, you’d probably be better off to miss out on this one. It’s a blunt and brutal window to a less desirable lifestyle, and it definitely shows that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side!

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