One of the most disturbing films of all time, `Deliverance’ is far more than cheap shocks. There are two sequences in the movie that people will remember forever, but the film is deeper and a lot more interesting than duelling banjos and rape.

Its basic themes are that nature is not all beauty, and that venturing out of your environment is dangerous. And, of course, that man has a very dark side. When four city guys leave their comfort for a weekend to go canoeing instead of golfing, they have no idea what they are in for. They discover an entirely new and different culture (the word `civilisation’ doesn’t seem appropriate) and that they are not welcome.

The opening act is filled with foreshadowing. Over the opening titles, the word `raped’ is heard several times, in relation to the environment. The four are warned that they don’t know what they’re in for. After the wonderful duelling banjos sequence, the country boy turns away, rather than shake hands with Drew. We thought they had something in common, but they didn’t. The country boy doesn’t even acknowledge Drew when they next see each other.

When the foreshadowing stops and the rape takes place, it’s a shocking effect. Even with all the foreshadowing, there is still an unshakeable disbelief that this could happen until after it does. As far as we know, Bobby hasn’t done anything wrong, except that Lewis doesn’t like him much. Bobby himself cannot believe what’s going on, after all, what did the two city guys do to two mountain men who have more fingers than teeth? Why do they deserve this?

The shock ultimately comes from the fact that they don’t.

[In some writings, people have called the mountain men homosexual. They’re not. As with `Bogs’ in `The Shawshank Redemption’, they’re not gay, but rapists. If they were simply gay, I’m sure they’d find each other satisfying enough, but they get their gratification from preying on others.]

Of course, the four have no option but to plow deeper into the unknown, having taken care of the body. But even when they do find their way back to civilisation, they don’t really fit anymore. Bobby tells Ed that he doubts they’ll see each other for a while (implying forever), and Ed is haunted by the experience. They’ve seen and experienced things that no one can prepare themselves for.

Now – having said that `Deliverance’ is more than two sequences, I’m going to discuss more than just those two. The performances from the entire cast are all excellent. Jon Voight is a standout as Ed, but suffers as the film tries to balance screen time between the four leads. Many of the supporting characters appear for one or two scenes, but each of them is a vibrant character.

The cinematography is excellent. Early on, the river is beautiful, hiding the horrors. Films that take place in this sort of place (lush settings) deserve gorgeous photography, and `Deliverance’ gets it. Notice how much darker it is inland, under the canopy? Or under the rocks? Even back in civilisation, it isn’t very bright.

Director John Boorman, however, is the star of the film. The film contains a lot of violence, hateable characters, death (and different ways of dealing with it), injury, and rape – and yet nothing is gratuitous, or overdone, or badly handled. These form traps that beg directors to fall into, but Boorman skilfully avoids them all. He focuses on the human beings in the movie, with how they react under the circumstances.

If you can stand the disturbing nature of the film, `Deliverance’ is one of the best films you will ever see.


Recommended:
Yes

Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age