For the love of America!

Deliverance (1972)

Reynolds with trademark mustache

The existence of this 1972 multiple award nominated film came to my knowledge during a long and tedious royal function when my friend and I  were talking about movies and he placed 'Deliverance' as his all time favourite. And here I am, writing about it after downloading it on line.
It is a story of four town buddies who go on canoeing trip in place of their usual golf weekend. The river with its undisturbed beauty and rapids was to give way for development soon, so our friends were there to savour its view in its dying days. Burt Reynolds is Lewis (seen here before his trademark macho mustache and had more hair than his pre-Smokey and Bandits as well Cannonball Run days), Jon Voight is Ed, Ned Beatty is Bobby and Ronny Cox is Drew. Lewis is the most experienced one of the gang, followed by Ed whilst Bobby and Drew were novices.
The movie builds up showing the urban rich boys sneering at the mountain people who seem withdrawn and probably retarded due to in-breeding. They start their journey happily till the next day when the four friends in two canoes separate.Along came two bullies who appear from nowhere when one of the two canoes stop by the banks. They sexually abuse two of the buddies at gunpoint.
Lewis comes in the nick of time to harpoon down one of the assailants while the other scoots off. After an emotional soul searching the friends (with 3 to 1 majority) decide to bury the body in the area soon to be a lake rather than get the law involved.
The four hurry to continue their journey. The canoe capsizes when Drew suddenly collapses and falls overboard and they all drift along the river. Lewis fractures his femur, Drew goes missing, probably shot by the victim's accomplice. Ed overcomes his fear and kills the other assailant after a cat and mouse psychological thriller.
Against the backdrop of a growling Louis, Bobby and Ed become instant white water rafters and reach still waters and safety. They stick on their pre-planned story, managed to dodge their police interrogations and make it home in one piece.
An average movie with nice outdoor scenery and soothing musical score.