Directed by: John Boorman
Starring: Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, Ronny Cox
MPAA Rating: R
Distributed by: Warner Home Video
Release Date: June 26, 2012
Running Time: 109 minutes
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Film: 3.5 out of stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars
It’s really hard to believe that “Deliverance” was released 40 years ago. I remember the first time I say this film as a kid and being completely mortified. The film is such a classic and packs some of the most notable quotes and music in film history. I mean who doesn’t love the “Dueling Banjos”? This 40th Anniversary Edition release DigiBook is a real improvement from Warner’s last Blu-ray release back in 2007. I have to say this film probably contains the best performances from its cast Burt Reynolds, Jon Voight and Ned Beatty. If you are a fan of this movie, it is worth the upgrade if you have it on Blu-ray and if you don’t it is a simple no-brainer.
This 40th Anniversary Edition release of “Deliverance” comes in my favorite packaging, DigiBook. I am a huge fan of this type of packaging and it really adds a lot of value for fans of the film and much better than an empty plastic case. This film really excels it its 1080p video transfer and looks amazing with its aspect ratio of 2.40:1. Though the spotlight of this release has to go to Warner’s DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. It is a new lossless mix and really adds a lot to the release value.
For those looking for more value, the special features are impressive and contain a newly produced retrospective with the film’s leading men. “Deliverance: The Cast Looks Back” runs about 30 minutes and features Jon Voight, Ned Beatty, Burt Reynolds and Ronny Cox reflecting back on the production, 40 years backs. It is a great new features. There is a rehashed “Four-Part Retrospective” from the 2007 Blu-ray release, which covers from author James Dickey’s best-selling novel to the shooting on locations to the notable Dueling Banjos scene and many of the controversies that have surrounded this film. There is an audio commentary track with Director John Boorma, which is decent but nothing special. Next up there is a “The Dangerous World of Deliverance” which is an awesome vintage featurette, dated but still super cool. Lastly there is a theatrical trailer included.
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Premise: Four city men on a weekend canoe trip pit their nerve and muscle against the churning waters of a wild Georgia river — where only three are “delivered” from the heart-pounding experience.