The set of Deliverance was a man’s world: Burt Reynold’s muscular physique bulging from his sleeveless vest, Jon Voight’s courage, Ronny Cox’s stunts, Ned Beatty’s guts – and, of course, director John Boorman, who encouraged all of them to reach beyond their limits. The gang wanted to prove to one another that they stood a chance in the face of the violent rapids of the Chattooga River.
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Their inflated sense of self-confidence and pride often came at a price. All of them nearly died at least once in the making of this film. One dislocated his shoulder, one injured his back, one almost drowned, and the other found himself unintentionally diving off a waterfall. It’s really a miracle any of these actors lived to see the light of day.
A twisted tale of an outdoor adventure gone wrong, Deliverance is a controversial film that you either love or hate. Here is how its actors managed to make it out alive.