The 1972 thriller “Deliverance” is known for its gripping storyline and the harrowing adventures of its characters.
Directed by John Boorman and starring notable actors like Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, and Ronny Cox, the film takes its audience on a suspenseful journey through Georgia’s untamed wilderness.
Set against a backdrop that’s as beautiful as it is menacing, the story unfolds on a fictional river, the Cahulawassee.
Filming took place in the remote northeastern corner of Georgia, with key scenes captured around Rabun Gap and Clayton, in Rabun County.
The wild rapids and serene yet intimidating landscape contributed greatly to the tension and realism of the movie.
The “Cahulawassee River,” central to the film’s plot, was primarily the Chattooga River, which marks the border between Georgia and South Carolina.
This iconic movie not only spotlighted the beauty and peril of the Georgian wilderness but also marked the impactful debuts of Ned Beatty and Ronny Cox.
Their authentic performances, along with those of Voight and Reynolds, contributed significantly to the film’s lasting legacy.
It’s a movie that took its cast and crew on an adventure, much like the characters they portrayed, resulting in authentic performances that resonate with the audience.
So, let’s talk about where was the movie Deliverance filmed.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- “Deliverance” was filmed in the rugged northeastern part of Georgia, prominently featuring the Chattooga River
- The film starred Jon Voight and Burt Reynolds, with Ned Beatty and Ronny Cox making their big-screen debuts
- Its filming locations and the cast’s authentic performances contributed to the movie’s cultural impact and enduring recognition
Filming Locations Overview
When it comes to raw and untamed landscapes, the movie Deliverance showcased some of America’s finest.
Filmed primarily in Georgia and South Carolina, the backdrop for this cinematic thriller blended Georgia’s lush forestry with the rugged terrains of South Carolina.
As viewers follow the harrowing journey of four city men in the wilderness, they’re also treated to the natural splendor these filming locations offer.
Georgia’s Natural Beauty
Georgia not only served as the primary filming location for Deliverance but it also provided the movie with its breathtaking and wild settings.
In the heart of Rabun County, the raging Chattooga River became the central artery of the film, masquerading as the fictitious Cahulawassee River.
Here, the movie captured the intensity of the river’s currents and the serenity of its surrounds.
Close by, the quaint towns of Clayton and Mountain City lent their local charm to the film. Meanwhile, Atlanta, while not a primary location, was noteworthy as the starting point for the characters’ ill-fated excursion.
Key Georgia Locations:
- Chattooga River: The real star of the show, providing both peril and scenic beauty
- Rabun County: Encompassing a collection of natural locations that defined the film’s aesthetic
- Clayton and Mountain City: Portraying small-town life on the edge of the wilderness
- Tallulah Gorge: Though not explicitly mentioned in search results, it’s well-known for its dramatic vistas and could have been part of the surrounding scenery
South Carolina’s Wild Terrain
Over the border, South Carolina’s ruggedness added another layer of authenticity to Deliverance.
The construction site of the Jocassee Dam, later to become Lake Jocassee, was featured in the film. Here, viewers saw the transformation of the landscape as the dam was built—a poignant symbol of man’s encroachment upon nature.
The wild terrain here emphasized the isolation and challenge the characters faced, away from the safety of urban life.
Key South Carolina Highlights:
- Jocassee Dam in-progress: Representing human intervention in the natural world
- Lake Jocassee area: Setting scenes of tension against a backdrop soon to be altered by the dam’s completion
Key Places in ‘Deliverance’
When you think of the film ‘Deliverance’, images of a wild river and backwoods towns probably come to mind. These settings are as integral to the story as the characters themselves, and they were captured at real locations that viewers can still visit today. Do you want to know where was the movie Deliverance filmed? Let’s check out the main filming location.
Cahulawassee River Fiction and Reality
The Cahulawassee River is the heart of ‘Deliverance’, where most of the film’s gripping action unfolds.
While this river is a work of fiction, its portrayal on the silver screen is very real.
The actual waterway that stood in for the Cahulawassee is the Chattooga River, defining the border between Georgia and South Carolina.
These churning rapids and surrounding wilderness were crucial in creating the movie’s palpable tension.
The river runs south into Lake Tugaloo, but it’s the perilous currents and remote setting that captivated viewers and turned the location into a popular spot for rafters looking to capture a piece of the film’s adventure.
Aintry Town’s Inspiration
‘Aintry’, the small beleaguered town in ‘Deliverance’, finds its physical roots in the region around Rabun County, Georgia.
The river scenes that depicted Aintry were primarily shot in this area.
After the fictional flooding of the Cahulawassee, the once thriving town in the storyline was reduced to underwater ruins.
In reality, the Jocassee Valley, which inspired parts of Aintry, faced a similar fate when it was flooded during the creation of Lake Jocassee.
This South Carolinian lake came to be after the construction of the Jocassee Dam, which inundated the locale where the Mount Carmel Baptist Church, an actual filming location, once stood.
Meanwhile, the old wooden buildings of Aintry were brought to life in Sylva, North Carolina, but it’s the echo of the valley’s flooding that leaves a lingering impression of the power of nature and human intervention.
The Cast’s Impact
When “Deliverance” hit the silver screens, it wasn’t just the dramatic wilderness of Georgia that left an imprint on its audience; the cast’s evocative performances played a pivotal role in bringing the intense story to life.
Reflecting on the Main Actors
Burt Reynolds, Jon Voight, Ned Beatty, and Ronny Cox were the main actors who not only faced the challenging rapids of the Chattooga River but also navigated the turbulent emotional currents of their characters.
Burt Reynolds, known for his charisma, brought a rugged survivalist edge to the role of Lewis Medlock, while Jon Voight portrayed Ed Gentry, whose transformation over the film’s course was a testament to Voight’s versatile acting skills.
Ned Beatty and Ronny Cox made their remarkable film debuts, adding depth and a palpable sense of authenticity to their roles as Bobby and Drew, respectively.
Supporting Roles and Local Talent
Unique to “Deliverance” was the inclusion of local talent, which gave the film an air of authenticity.
Most notably, Billy Redden portrayed the eerie, banjo-playing boy which remains an iconic image from the film.
Bill McKinney, meanwhile, became an unforgettable antagonist as one of the mountain men.
The casting by Lynn Stalmaster was crucial in finding a mix of professional actors and locals from the areas surrounding the filming location, blending the line between fiction and reality for viewers.
Through the lens of Stalmaster, the supporting roles contributed greatly to the film’s unsettling atmosphere and offered a window into the rural American landscape of the 1970s.
Cultural Impact and Recognition
When they think about “Deliverance,” many remember two things vividly: the chilling adventure and the iconic music that accompanied it. The film didn’t just leave viewers on the edge of their seats; it also left a lasting mark on the cultural landscape and received critical acclaim, including several prestigious nominations.
Music’s Role: Dueling Banjos
The film’s score, especially the “Dueling Banjos” scene, became a defining moment in cinematic music history.
Eric Weissberg, the musician behind the piece, brought a sense of authenticity and tension to the film that few scores can claim.
Although “Dueling Banjos” was not an original composition created for the film, its integration into the storyline created a strong association with the movie and Weissberg’s adaptation popularized the tune, making it synonymous with Deliverance.
Despite its popularity, it didn’t clinch the Best Original Song at the Academy Awards, as it was ineligible due to not being an original work for the film.
Critical Acclaim and Awards
“Deliverance” garnered significant recognition for its cinematic achievements.
Highlighting its excellence in filmmaking, the movie received several Academy Awards nominations:
- Best Director: John Boorman’s directorial work was acknowledged with a nomination, showcasing his ability to skillfully craft suspense and tension through his characters’ harrowing journey
- Best Picture: The film’s nomination in this category signified its overall impact and excellence as a cinematic work
- Best Film Editing: This nomination recognized the film’s sophisticated editing, which contributed to its intense pacing and gripping narrative
Adventures Behind the Scenes
When the crew of “Deliverance” set out to bring this suspenseful thriller to life, they were determined to create an authentic and visceral experience.
This dedication meant that the cast and crew’s adventures off-screen were nearly as intense as those depicted in the film.
Realistic Canoeing Excursions
The cast didn’t fake their way down the rapids; they actually learned to navigate them.
With the Chattooga River’s tumultuous waters serving as a treacherous backdrop, they undertook rigorous canoeing training.
Under the watchful eye of skilled professionals, they transformed from novices to plausible outdoor enthusiasts, handling real canoes amidst the river’s capricious currents.
Challenges and Stunts
“Deliverance” wasn’t a movie where stunt doubles did all the hard work; the main actors were often in the thick of it. Burt Reynolds and Jon Voight performed many of their own stunts, adding another layer of realism to the harrowing survival tale.
Even author James Dickey—who penned the novel and worked on the film—applauded the on-location filming in Georgia and South Carolina for adding authenticity to the gripping story.
The rugged and isolated filming locations became a testing ground for the actors’ physical limits and a cornerstone for the film’s palpable tension.
