A group of four Atlanta businessmen (Reynolds, Beatty, Voight and Cox) decide to take a canoe trip through the backwoods of the south as part of a vacation full of rest and relaxation.

Instead, they find themselves terrorized by some redneck cutthroats in a deadly cat and mouse chase.

One of the most critically acclaimed movies of 1972, Deliverance is an exceptionally well made thriller, clearly influencing later lower profile horror films such as Peter Carter's Rituals (1977) and to some extent Jeff Lieberman's Just Before Dawn (1981).

Adapted by James Dickey from his original novel published in 1970 (he also appears as the sheriff in the film), Deliverance is a showcase of superb performances from the four main leads, boasts an utterly believable backwoods atmosphere, and is a triumph of '70s style movie moodmaking.

Must see.