‘Intense’ thriller with ‘some disturbing moments’ is on BBC | Films | Entertainment | EUROtoday

A gripping Seventies thriller has achieved cult traditional standing, with cinema lovers praising it as a “masterpiece”, and it is airing on BBC Four this night. The movie, which hit screens in 1972, options Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty and Ronny Cox as 4 city mates in search of respite from their careers, households and obligations with a week-long canoeing expedition in rural Georgia.

Upon arrival, the group receives a hostile reception from the locals, who observe the holidaymakers and launch a brutal assault within the wilderness. Still recovering from the violent encounter, the quartet makes an attempt to go house however finds themselves navigating treacherous rapids while being hunted by a deranged particular person, reworking their leisure journey right into a determined battle for survival. The image has garnered immense acclaim and in 2008 earned choice for preservation within the United States National Film Registry.

Deliverance notably featured the lead actors executing their very own stunts, with Burt Reynolds fracturing his coccyx through the rapids sequence, while Ned Beatty was pulled right into a whirlpool and got here perilously near drowning, necessitating a 30-second rescue operation.

One critique acknowledged: “This is a fantastic thriller and an interesting exploration of masculinity and man vs nature. The suspense is excellent; there are some disturbing moments and I was glued to my seat. It is an intense film with some wonderful cinematography (why did films look better 50 years ago? No crap CGI) and I would definitely recommend.”

Another viewer remarked: “Few films capture the raw clash between man and nature with such nerve-shredding intensity as Deliverance. John Boorman’s survival thriller is equal parts beautiful and terrifying, with Burt Reynolds and Jon Voight at their peak. For many, it’s a classic of 1970s cinema – lean, relentless, and unforgettable.

“For me, the movie is wrapped up in household reminiscence: my dad liked it, swore by it as one of many greats, and sat me down to observe it most likely a couple of years too early. That mixture of awe and unease – feeling the film earlier than absolutely understanding it – solely deepened its influence. Deliverance is not only a landmark in American movie; it is a kind of films that sticks to you, like river mud in your boots, lengthy after the credit roll.”

A third said: “Still a masterpiece, nice performances from Burt Reynold’s and Ned Beatty. All the performances are terrific.”

A fourth noticed: “The performances are nice and the story spectacular, however many individuals will watch it for THAT scene, which matches a bit too far. That scene apart, there are different iconic moments, such because the duelling banjos piece, and the sense of pressure is ever current.

A fifth mentioned: “It’s tough to watch at times and not for everyone, but it’s tense and very well made. Plus the Dueling Banjos scene is just so iconic.

And one five-star review summed it up succinctly: “One of one of the best film that offer you nerve, horrifying and satisfaction on the identical time.”

Deliverance will air on Thursday 12 February on BBC4 at 9pm.