Deliverance was released into theaters on August 18th, 1972. Filming locations include Clayton and Mountain City, Ga. Sylva, NC and Lake Jocassee, SC. It was directed by John Boorman. Boorman also directed Exorcist II: The Heretic, five years later. James Dickey wrote the screenplay as well as the novel the film was adapted from. Dickey also played the part of Sheriff Bullard in the film. The four leads were played by Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty and Ronny Cox. It was Beatty and Cox's feature film debuts. Within the film are two scenes in particular that standout and are widely recognized for their interpretation of the deep souths potential, albeit very rare, for backwoods encounters. They are the "Dueling Banjos" and male rape scenes. Dueling Banjos can be heard at various times throughout the film. It was composed in 1954 by Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith. It was arranged and recorded for the film by Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandell. When Smith wasn't acknowledged by the filmmakers as the composer, he sued and eventually won, receiving song writing credits as well as royalties. The song can also be heard in a 1963 episode of The Andy Griffith Show titled "Briscoe Declares for Aunt Bee" where it was played by The Dillards. The song was nominated for Best Original Song at the 30th Golden Globe Awards. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards in 1973, Best Film Editing, Best Director and Best Picture. The films first DVD release was on June 1st, 2004.
Bobby, Ed and Lewis emerge from the river/lake - Lake Jocassee, SC.
In 1971, the Duke Power Company constructed the Jocassee Dam and started flooding the Jocassee Valley in order to form Jocassee Lake. By 1973, the project was complete. Actual footage of the construction process is visible at the very beginning of the film. The lake covers a surface area of 7,500 acres and reaches a maximum depth of 326 feet. The Horsepasture, Thompson, Toxaway and Whitewater Rivers flow into the lake. The exact spot where they emerge, next to the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, was 34°57'59.50"N 82°56'32.30"W. That location now sits 130 feet below the lakes surface. The best spot to match the mountain backgrounds up from is at the Devils Fork 2 boat ramp, located at the end of Devils Fork Road.
2020
Drive through Aintry - Municipal Dr. Sylva, NC. 28779
They're driving west along Municipal Drive toward Allen Street.
2020
Colonial Lodge - Black Rock Mountain Pkwy. and Hwy. 441 N Mountain City, Ga. 30525
The lodge was demolished at some point during the 1980's. It stood at the northwest corner of Black Rock Mountain Parkway and Highway 441 N. It's also featured on a vintage postcard, which I've included a comparison photo of as well. The view of the lodge from the film is from the south. The view of the lodge from the postcard is from the east.
All "Now" pictures taken in 2021.
Hospital - 184 S. Main St. Clayton, Ga. 30525
At the time of my visit, it was the Rabun County Health Department.
All "Now" pictures taken in 2021.
