‹ All movies
Deliverance poster

Deliverance

year 1972decade 70sdirector John Boormangenre Thriller / Adventure

109 minutes

Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Jon Voight Ed Gentry
Burt Reynolds Lewis Medlock
Ned Beatty Bobby Trippe
Ronny Cox Drew Ballinger
Bill McKinney Mountain Man
Herbert "Cowboy" Coward Toothless Man
James Dickey Sheriff Bullard
Billy Redden Lonnie
Macon McCalman Deputy Queen

Deliverance | The Rewatchables

host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanhost Ryen Russilloproducer Craig Horlbeck theme One Word Movie Month
Explore episodeClose episode

Half-Assed Internet Research

The actors reportedly performed dangerous canoe stunts without insurance; Reynolds broke his tailbone. The book-to-film turnaround was two years.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:09:07Read transcript
  • The actors reportedly performed dangerous canoe stunts without insurance; Reynolds broke his tailbone. The book-to-film turnaround was two years.
  • Reynolds’s pre-breakthrough television work is contrasted with subsequent hits and Carson appearances; Beatty and Cox were new to movies.

Top Ten List

Ten films listed in reported 1972 box-office order; no independent revenue verification.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:12:57Read transcript
  • The stated 1972 box-office sequence is The Godfather, The Poseidon Adventure, What’s Up Doc?, Deliverance, Deep Throat, Jeremiah Johnson, Cabaret, The Get Away, Last Tango in Paris, and Lady Sings the Blues.
  • Deep Throat’s high placing prompts surprise and discussion of theatrical demand.

Roger Ebert's review

Ebert gave two and a half stars and objected to exploitative sensationalism rather than a meaningful confrontation with wilderness.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:20:06Read transcript
  • Ebert gave two and a half stars and objected to exploitative sensationalism rather than a meaningful confrontation with wilderness.
  • The hosts argue he misses the leveling effect of wilderness; the film connects with 1970s exploitation and Pulp Fiction.

Most Rewatchable Scene

Distinct choices: big canoe crash, cliff climb, and Dueling Banjos; assault discussed as iconic rather than selected.

In the discussion (9)
Approx. transcript time · 00:23:08Read transcript
  • The category is reframed as memorable or iconic because the assault dominates the film’s reputation.
  • Dueling Banjos is praised as riveting and strange, compared with Butch and Sundance’s musical bicycle sequence.
  • The opening canoe run is nominated; Reynolds’s sleeveless wetsuit invites jokes about a modern tech-owner equivalent.
  • The assault’s long duration, circling attackers, face touch and focus on the restrained Ed sustain dread; Pulp Fiction is compared.
  • Separating the more vulnerable men enables the attack; Lewis’s distant appearance and rescue do not undo the trauma or guarantee triumph.
  • The canoe crash is praised; reported danger is debated rather than accepted uniformly.
  • Ed’s cliff climb, killing and rope disposal are nominated along with another harrowing canoe run.
  • Ed’s confrontation with the sheriff and final farewell to Bobby are nominated.
  • The big canoe crash, cliff climb and banjo sequence are separate final choices.

Half-Assed Internet Research

The banjo child was reportedly cast for his appearance; a hidden player supplied the hands, and later interviews show the child never learned banjo.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:25:47Read transcript
  • The banjo child was reportedly cast for his appearance; a hidden player supplied the hands, and later interviews show the child never learned banjo.
  • Ned Beatty reportedly had the most canoe experience despite playing the novice.
  • Reynolds reportedly volunteered to replace a conspicuous dummy; accounts of the resulting injury differ.
  • Beatty reportedly nearly drowned and Voight performed the cliff climb because they could not fake it.

What’s Aged the Best?

Reynolds’s sleeveless wetsuit, the shifting hierarchy after his injury, character archetypes and canoeing’s ominous appeal hold up.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:39:42Read transcript
  • Reynolds’s sleeveless wetsuit, the shifting hierarchy after his injury, character archetypes and canoeing’s ominous appeal hold up.
  • The dead attacker’s convincing stillness over many scenes is praised.
  • Opening dialogue lays out the themes; the ambiguous deaths and need to believe Ed killed the right man invite revisiting.
  • Better planning is jokingly offered after the poor car arrangements and choice of landing bank.

Just One Oscar

The convincing dead attacker is explicitly floated for Just One Oscar; the response says the possibility was considered. This is a tentative suggestion, not a final award choice.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:41:21Read transcript
  • The convincing dead attacker is explicitly floated for Just One Oscar; the response says the possibility was considered. This is a tentative suggestion, not a final award choice.

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

Ed on the cliff and impaled by his own arrow is the choice; day-for-night photography gives an eerie appearance.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:45:10Read transcript
  • Ed on the cliff and impaled by his own arrow is the choice; day-for-night photography gives an eerie appearance.

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

Confusion about car shuttling is resolved, leaving criticism of arriving without a transport plan and trusting insulted strangers.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:45:27Read transcript
  • Confusion about car shuttling is resolved, leaving criticism of arriving without a transport plan and trusting insulted strangers.
  • Drew is selected as the weak character, with his musical ability and collapse mocked.

What’s Aged the Worst?

Drew’s ambiguous fall is criticized as poorly motivated; a gunshot, nervous collapse or both are debated, with the book and director’s reported account distinguished.

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 00:47:30Read transcript
  • Drew’s ambiguous fall is criticized as poorly motivated; a gunshot, nervous collapse or both are debated, with the book and director’s reported account distinguished.
  • Voight’s resemblance to Angelina Jolie and Beatty’s teeth provoke objections and jokes.
  • The exposed femur effect is criticized for looking artificial and anatomically misplaced.
  • Ed’s inability to shoot the deer is called an obvious setup; falling on his own arrow seems contrived.
  • The teeth, hat and gun leave the identity of Ed’s victim disputed; one participant likes the moral uncertainty while another finds it cheap.

Picking Nits

Throwing away the captured firearms is criticized when more attackers may be nearby.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:53:22Read transcript
  • Throwing away the captured firearms is criticized when more attackers may be nearby.

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

Deliverance is retained; Date Night and Guys Trip are joking alternatives.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:54:51Read transcript
  • Date Night and Guys Trip are jokes; Deliverance is defended as ominous and enduring, with its escape-from-city-life meaning discussed.

The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie

The lost-before-finding-yourself line is favored; the exchange about the river and because it is there is another option. Reynolds makes the thematic dialogue feel natural.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:40Read transcript
  • The lost-before-finding-yourself line is favored; the exchange about the river and because it is there is another option. Reynolds makes the thematic dialogue feel natural.

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Deliverance is called secretly influential across wilderness and wrong-turn horror; Breakdown is cited and distinguished from U-Turn.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:56:46Read transcript
  • Deliverance is called secretly influential across wilderness and wrong-turn horror; Breakdown is cited and distinguished from the Sean Penn film mentioned alongside it.
  • The premise of a hostile local jury is questioned by asking whether the relatives would attend jury duty.

Casting What-Ifs

Dickey reportedly wanted a director observed as “Sam Peck and Potter” (candidate Sam Peckinpah, externally unverified) and Hackman as Ed; Boorman wanted Marvin and Brando, then Nicholson tied participation to Brando. Sutherland and Heston were next possibilities.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:01:55Read transcript
  • Dickey reportedly wanted a director observed as “Sam Peck and Potter” (candidate Sam Peckinpah, externally unverified) and Hackman as Ed; Boorman wanted Marvin and Brando, then Nicholson tied participation to Brando. Sutherland and Heston were next possibilities.
  • Fonda and Stewart reports are rejected as implausible; Sutherland reportedly declined over violence and later regretted it.

Recasting Couch

Sutherland is endorsed as a great Ed and as a possible Drew, distinct from the historical casting-offer account.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:02:42Read transcript
  • Sutherland is endorsed as a great Ed and as a possible Drew, distinct from the historical casting-offer account.

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Ronny Cox is chosen with his later Beverly Hills Cop, RoboCop, Vision Quest and Total Recall visibility discussed.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:07:13Read transcript
  • Ronny Cox is chosen with his later Beverly Hills, RoboCop, Vision Quest and Total Recall visibility discussed.
  • James Dickey as the sheriff is another choice, compared with Fred Dalton Thompson.

Recasting Couch

John Cazale is suggested for Drew and Dennis Hopper for a mountain man; unfamiliar attackers are defended as more effective.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:10Read transcript
  • John Cazale is suggested for Drew and Dennis Hopper for a mountain man; unfamiliar attackers are defended as more effective.

Half-Assed Internet Research

The film was shot in northeast Georgia; the fictional river draws on one dammed in the 1970s.

In the discussion (9)
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:39Read transcript
  • The film was shot in northeast Georgia; the fictional river draws on one dammed in the 1970s.
  • Dickey allegedly fought Boorman, broke his nose and teeth, was banned, then returned as sheriff.
  • Reynolds’s injury and Beatty’s near drowning are recounted with dark jokes about completing the film.
  • Credit for squeal like a pig is disputed among Beatty, Boorman and a crew member; Reynolds reportedly ended the long scene by entering.
  • Accounts depict Boorman mistreating locals and the cast enjoying the summer; Dueling Banjos led to a copyright dispute.
  • Martin Cahill reportedly stole Boorman’s gold record, and the incident was recreated in The General.
  • The film reportedly encouraged Jimmy Carter’s Georgia film commission.
  • Book occupations are listed; Bobby moves to Hawaii and Ed has hostile fantasies about him, unlike most of the film.
  • An unused explicit threat and Dickey claiming the story happened to him are recounted; Boorman doubted the claim after seeing his poor canoeing.

Apex Mountain

Drunken fighting writers are considered, then Hemingway is favored over the Dickey era.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:40Read transcript
  • Drunken fighting writers are considered, then Hemingway is favored over the Dickey era.
  • The four actors are rejected; canoeing, banjos, disturbing assault, exposed femurs and sleeveless scuba vests are considered, with River Wild, Steve Martin and O Brother alternatives.

Best Race Horse Name from This Movie

Deliverance, with Canoe Trip also offered.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:41Read transcript
  • Canoe Trip and Deliverance are proposed; Deliverance is endorsed as a Derby-style name and Squeal Like a Pig is doubted.

Picking Nits

The long debate over the body is criticized as wasting escape time, though the jury concern is defended; keeping the weapons is urged.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:19:06Read transcript
  • The long debate over the body is criticized as wasting escape time, though the jury concern is defended; keeping the weapons is urged.

Picking Nits

Climbing the cliff is debated against continuing downstream; a suspected shooter and Lewis’s injury justify it for some, but another participant wants a different plan.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:19:41Read transcript
  • Climbing the cliff is debated against continuing downstream; a suspected shooter and Lewis’s injury justify it for some, but another participant wants a different plan.
  • The plan to hand car keys to insulted strangers is reiterated as a major flaw.
  • The canoe appears precut for its break; a bar’s supposed original canoe and a later prop sale are recalled with authenticity uncertainty.

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

An all-Black cast is enthusiastically proposed; prestige TV is considered but the lack of a plausible third season undermines it.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:23:06Read transcript
  • An all-Black cast is enthusiastically proposed; prestige TV is considered but the lack of a plausible third season undermines it.

Is This Movie Better With…?

Wayne Jenkins fits as sheriff, Lewis or a Griner brother; impressions imagine arrest, driving the car and coping with the broken leg.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:24:07Read transcript
  • Wayne Jenkins fits as sheriff, Lewis or a Griner brother; impressions imagine arrest, driving the car and coping with the broken leg.

Just One Oscar

Burt Reynolds is one choice; Boorman is another for physically demanding direction, with The Longest Yard preferred as a Reynolds performance.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:25:04Read transcript
  • Burt Reynolds is one choice; Boorman is another for physically demanding direction, with The Longest Yard preferred as a Reynolds performance.

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Asked whether Drew was shot, one answer says no based on the director and another says it ultimately does not matter.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:25:37Read transcript
  • Asked whether Drew was shot, one answer says no based on the director and another says it ultimately does not matter.
  • The football game is uncertain: Georgia is offered, then a possible 1971 Niners-Falcons opener is hypothesized.
  • Whether hillbilly horror needed Deliverance is debated; Texas Chainsaw Massacre is thought likely to exist regardless.
  • A late question imagines four Boston men making the trip, with escape by shooting suggested.

Who Won the Movie?

Burt Reynolds wins; landscape praise is explicitly secondary.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:29:19Read transcript
  • Reynolds is selected for first-half star power and a second participant agrees.
  • Georgia’s landscapes are floated, then the speaker explicitly returns to Reynolds.
  • Before full stardom, Bert Reynolds could be taken out halfway through the movie by a broken leg; later he would want Lewis to win the day.
Podcast choices
Speaker not identified
Burt Reynolds
Speaker not identified
Burt Reynolds

Producer review

The producer nearly watched with his girlfriend and future mother-in-law and reveals a forthcoming canoe bachelor trip.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:35:28Read transcript
  • The producer nearly watched with his girlfriend and future mother-in-law and reveals a forthcoming canoe bachelor trip.
  • He liked the film but expected sustained pursuit by mountain men; he found the actual pace awkward and the climax lacking.

More from the conversation

This is the last One Word Movie Month installment; paragraph-long titles and Seagal titles are hypothetical future ideas.
Approx. transcript time · 00:02:02Read transcript
The film’s sexual assault scene dominates its reputation; discussion emphasizes hillbilly horror influence, masculinity, city versus country, and man versus nature.
Approx. transcript time · 00:02:42Read transcript
Dialogue over geography efficiently introduces four characters without conventional exposition; Alien is compared for natural character introduction.
Approx. transcript time · 00:06:29Read transcript
The Godfather, Jaws and The Amityville Horror illustrate the era’s quick adaptation of popular books.
Approx. transcript time · 00:12:30Read transcript
Pre-internet twists and word of mouth are discussed through The Crying Game, The Blair Witch Project, Fight Club, The Usual Suspects, Shawshank and Gone Girl; deliberate and accidental spoilers are recalled.
Approx. transcript time · 00:13:52Read transcript
The assault still provokes anxiety; one participant doubts casual rewatchability, while canoe craft and ambiguous later scenes reward revisiting.
Approx. transcript time · 00:17:21Read transcript
The banjo selection prompts bar memories and comparison with The Devil Went Down to Georgia’s crowd appeal.
Approx. transcript time · 00:38:47Read transcript
The extended ending maintains a new kind of tension about the sheriff, the locals and whether the survivors can keep their story straight, unlike Tombstone’s repeated endings.
Approx. transcript time · 00:44:06Read transcript
Jury-duty tangents include college scheduling, an attempted escape from a Mrs. Doubtfire screening, and fear after an attempted-murder verdict.
Approx. transcript time · 00:57:55Read transcript
A personal story describes getting lost near Holland, Vermont, and being chased by trucks; the teller allows that the locals may have been teasing him.
Approx. transcript time · 01:02:55Read transcript
The hosts question whether the film could be made or succeed today, comparing transgressive mainstream films including The Exorcist, Deep Throat, Death Wish, Chinatown and Pulp Fiction.
Approx. transcript time · 01:31:51Read transcript
The episode arose after deferring Fear; the offered list was Rudy, Slap Shot, Deliverance, Gravity and Platoon, and Russillo chose Deliverance. This is an unranked selection menu.
Approx. transcript time · 01:38:27Read transcript