Very well executed

Lack of good storyline.

Good concept, poorly executed.

Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

The film is still so incredibly good, even by today's standards, that I can only imagine what it must have been like at the time of release. A fantastic story with very good actors to ensure credibility. The rape scene must have been very controversial back in 1972, and might even be today. It was very well done, though, but must have raised more than just a few eyebrows back then. What follows, is a fast-paced action thriller that literally plummets the characters into the deep end.The setting in nature was also quite spectacular, with beautiful scenery.

It felt weird finally watching this film I'd heard so much about it over the years and seen so many references to it that it felt like I'd already seen it. The pacing and built up anticipation of this film is awesome, I'd almost put it right up there with the shining. You constantly get the feeling that something terrible is going to happen. At the time it was released it must have shocked audiences as its pretty extreme for back then but nothing as graphic as we have now. I kind of like that about it though because it sticks to the classic form of horrors while mixing it with a newer more extreme style. Its also it's realistic quality that makes it particularly scary, it feels as if it could happen to anyone. It was strange to see Jon Voight and Burt Reynolds so young they're both almost unrecognisable from how they look now. I really liked the way the camera stopped and focused on people's faces and expressions throughout the film making them even more creepy. The people in the town at the end were just as strange as those by the river. With the title being 'deliverance' it was clever the way they got out of the river by the church. The only thing I didn't like about this film was the ending. It kept you feeling like something more was going to happen but it just cut out with him waking up from a bad dream. All in all it's a thrilling watch but may be a bit slow for people use to watching more modern horrors/thrillers.

Deliverance is one of those movies that makes you think twice before taking your next camping trip. What starts out as good old fashioned fun among friends, turns into a nightmare.Strong performances(3 Golden Globe Nominations) from all involved adds an element of realism to a script that already holds it's own weight. The fluid direction from legendary John Boorman moves the story along at a manageable pace, adding suspense at the perfect moments. It will keep you on the edge of your seat, or trembling in fear as the four friends battle their morals as they desperately fight for their lives.It is considered a classic by many and for very good reason. It is real, dark, dramatic, suspenseful, all interwoven into a story about friendship and their fight for survival in the wilderness. If you are looking for a must see movie before you die, this will definitely deliver.8.5/10

Question: Did this film really offer the kind of entertainment that American and Canadian movie-goers wanted to see back in 1972? Answer: Yes. It would seem so. And proof of that is here in one plain fact - Deliverance was made on a modest budget of just $2 million and yet it grossed over $46 million at the box-office in its first year, alone.I guess its phenomenal popularity all came down to Deliverance being the very first mainstream film to ever show a homosexual (a hillbilly homosexual, that is) being killed.And that, I guess, gave many movie-goers the greatest pleasure and satisfaction in being witness to that.I mean, otherwise - What else could it be that attracted such a large audience to sit through this tiresome picture and then, afterwards, praise it with glowing approval? *Note* - Deliverance also lost some significant points for exploiting "real-life" human deformity (aka. the inbred hillbillies) solely for the sake of idle entertainment. (Yes. Those "freaks" we see were real people, sans make-up effects)