Deliverance

Four Atlanta businessmen embark on a canoeing trip through a river in deep Georgia. The reason behind their trip is that the local power company is planning to dam the river, making it into a giant lake. Knowing that this will be the last time they will get to see the river, the group decides to take that last chance. But, when the men come across some hostile locals, things start to take a turn for the worse as one of the men gets raped and one is severely injured while canoeing down the river. Soon enough, the four men begin to realize that they must survive the brutality of the American wilderness.

According to Turner Classic Movies, John Boorman wanted Lee Marvin and Marlon Brando to play Ed and Lewis, respectively. After reading the script, Marvin said he and Brando were too old, and suggested that Boorman use younger actors instead. Boorman agreed, and cast Jon Voight and Burt Reynolds.

This was Burt Reynolds breakthrough role, transforming him from an actor to a film superstar.

Donald Sutherland turned down the role of Ed (Jon Voight) because he objected to the violence in the script. He later said he regretted that decision.

Henry Fonda turned down the role of Lewis. James Stewart was also considered for the role. Gene Hackman was offered the role of Ed. He wanted to play Lewis, but was turned down.

Charlton Heston said he declined the role of Lewis due to his commitment to Antony and Cleopatra (1972).

Jack Nicholson agreed to play Ed as long as Marlon Brando played Lewis. However, the actors’ combined fees added up to more than one million dollars, half the movie’s budget, forcing John Boorman to cast cheaper actors.

When John Boorman first tapped Jon Voight to appear in the film, the actor was at a low point. His previous film, The All-American Boy (1973), was deemed an unsalvageable mess. Convinced his career was over, Voight credited Boorman with saving his life.

During the filming of the canoe scene, author James Dickey showed up inebriated and got into a bitter argument with John Boorman, who had re-written Dickey’s script. They had a brief fistfight in which Boorman’s nose was broken and four of his teeth shattered. Dickey was thrown off the set, but no charges were filed against him. The two reconciled and became good friends, and Boorman gave Dickey a cameo role as the Sheriff at the end of the film.

Ned Beatty’s and Ronny Cox’ film debuts.

1972

R

085391165125

Thriller

Deluxe Edition

Movie

90

7.8

2018-02-07 18:26:26

2.20:1

109

United States

1972-07-30

480i

16:9

8.5 GB (DVD)

1

1

116512

Keep Case

~$8.99

2026-03-19

2018-02-07 18:26:26