A cinematic masterpiece from the 1970s, known for its harrowing suspense and stellar performances, is set to captivate a new audience on British television tonight. The American thriller Deliverance, featuring an A-list cast including Burt Reynolds and Jon Voight, will be broadcast on BBC Two, offering viewers a chance to experience this controversial classic.
A Canoe Trip Turns into a Nightmare
Released in 1972 and directed by John Boorman, Deliverance is based on the novel of the same name by James Dickey. The plot follows four family men from Atlanta who decide to canoe down a river in the remote Georgian wilderness before it is submerged by a new dam. Their leader, the outdoor enthusiast Lewis, is played by Burt Reynolds. He is joined by Ed (Jon Voight), who looks up to him, and the less experienced Bobby (Ned Beatty) and Drew (Ronny Cox).
Their adventure quickly descends into a survival nightmare. The group's initial encounter with hostile locals at a gas station sets an uneasy tone, leading to one of the film's most iconic scenes: a musical duel between Drew and a banjo-playing local boy. However, the situation turns profoundly dark when the men are separated on the river. In one of the most infamous sequences in cinema history, Bobby is subjected to a brutal sexual assault where he is forced to squeal like a pig.
Critical Acclaim and Lasting Controversy
Despite its disturbing content, Deliverance was a major commercial and critical success. Made on a budget of just $2 million (approximately £1.5 million at the time), the film went on to earn a staggering $46.1 million (around £35 million). It continues to hold a 90% positive score on the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes.
Fans and critics alike praise the film's powerful direction and the outstanding performances from its entire cast. The film's cinematography, which beautifully and terrifyingly captures the power of the natural world, is frequently hailed as terrific. However, the movie has also faced criticism in later years for its stereotypical portrayal of the rural mountain people as backward and uncivilised.
Burt Reynolds himself later revealed that he found the assault scene too much and intervened during filming, feeling it had gone on too long. Yet, the film's core message about humanity's fraught relationship with nature and the consequences of its destruction remains powerfully relevant today.
Why It's Still 'Definitely Worth the Watch'
Viewers who have seen the film describe it as a compelling and intense experience that leaves a lasting impression. One fan recalled being in absolute suspense when they first saw it as a child, while another hailed it as a technical masterpiece with star-making performances. The consensus is that, even five decades after its release, Deliverance is a defining work of thriller cinema that everyone should watch.
Deliverance airs on BBC Two at 11pm tonight, Friday 21 November.
