Post by doomedbloodwork on Jul 24, 2004 9:06:56 GMT -5
Psychological thrillers have become the norm in recent years, with the likes of Lecter, Mills and Somerset, Henry and Otis becoming part of the world psyche of psycho principles.
At the time of DELIVERANCE's initial release, the concept of morality against the issue of violence were pretty much a hot potato. With the Vietnam war still raging, the ideals of the 60's burning down in the process and film-makers daring to take greater risks (with the likes of A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, STRAW DOGS, THE DEVILS, DEATH WISH all taking a bow in cinemas in the early 70's), DELIVERANCE is as tight a movie and in it's way, is of the psychological horror genre as much as it is a rural suspense movie.
Based on a novel by James Dickey, whose real-life experience inspired the text, the film chronicles the weekend trip of four friends who want to see a river before hydro-electric power takes over and floods the valley with a different stream of energy. They ask locals to drive their vehicles down stream whilst they take a canoe trip.
Although the initial reaction of local to city dweller and vice versa is passable, the atmosphere changes further down the river when they encounter a couple of vicious rednecks in the hills around the river.....
Featuring the classic guitar and banjo duet DUELLING BANJOs, with dialogue that can still be seen in thrillers and action movies today (John Malkovich as Cyrus in CON AIR), as well as tremendous character performances from Burt Reynolds, Jon Voight, Ronny Cox and Ned Beatty (all future movie villains and heroes)
John Boorman created a timeless thriller. Not to be watched in isolation....
At the time of DELIVERANCE's initial release, the concept of morality against the issue of violence were pretty much a hot potato. With the Vietnam war still raging, the ideals of the 60's burning down in the process and film-makers daring to take greater risks (with the likes of A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, STRAW DOGS, THE DEVILS, DEATH WISH all taking a bow in cinemas in the early 70's), DELIVERANCE is as tight a movie and in it's way, is of the psychological horror genre as much as it is a rural suspense movie.
Based on a novel by James Dickey, whose real-life experience inspired the text, the film chronicles the weekend trip of four friends who want to see a river before hydro-electric power takes over and floods the valley with a different stream of energy. They ask locals to drive their vehicles down stream whilst they take a canoe trip.
Although the initial reaction of local to city dweller and vice versa is passable, the atmosphere changes further down the river when they encounter a couple of vicious rednecks in the hills around the river.....
Featuring the classic guitar and banjo duet DUELLING BANJOs, with dialogue that can still be seen in thrillers and action movies today (John Malkovich as Cyrus in CON AIR), as well as tremendous character performances from Burt Reynolds, Jon Voight, Ronny Cox and Ned Beatty (all future movie villains and heroes)
John Boorman created a timeless thriller. Not to be watched in isolation....
