The 1972 movie Deliverance is widely recognized for its iconic use of the banjo, which has beome symbolic for so much more than just a stringed instrument. The infamous “Dueling Banjos” scene between the two main characters and a young boy has become an unforgettable moment in cinematic history. But there is much more to this scene than meets the eye.
Behind the strings of the banjo was Eric Weissberg, a professional musician who arranged and played the song for the movie. And behind the character of the young banjo player was Billy Redden, a local teenager from Georgia who Boorman believed fit perfectly for his role. Despite not being able to play himself, Redden wore a special shirt that allowed Weissberg to hide behind him and play for both of them.
This scene illustrates a monumental cultural divide btween rural Appalachia and modern America, and it was no accident that Deliverance portrayed this divide through its use of music. As Weissberg’s banjo twanged in unison with Redden’s character, he provided an eerie backdrop that reminded viewers of their fragile relationship with progress and change. This moment stuck with audiences long after they left theaters, leaving an impression that is still felt today.
In 2020, we say goodbye to Eric Weissberg after his passing due to Alzheimer’s disease complications at age 80. While his physical presence may be gone, his legacy lives on in “Dueling Banjos” forever immortalized in Deliverance as one of cinema’s most iconic scenes.
The Significance of the Banjo Scene in Deliverance
The banjo scene in Deliverance is significant for a number of reasons. First, it serves to highlight the cultural divides between the urban protagonists and the rural locals they encounter on their trip. The scene features four city-dwellers, who are explicitly unfamiliar with traditional Southern culture, being confronted by a young boy playing a banjo. This stark contrast between the two cultures is made even more apparent when one of the protagonists angrily breaks the banjo as a way to put an end to its perceived threat.
Second, this scene is significant for introducing what has become known as “hillbilly horror” into mainstream culture. As this genre began to gain popularity ater Deliverance’s release, many people began associating the banjo with fear and dread due to its prominent role in the movie. This association has been further solidified in popular culture over time, leading to today’s stereotypes of banjos being associated with rural backwoods horror stories.
Finally, this scene is important for establishing what some have referred to as “banjo shame” – a phenomenon that has become associated with white people from rural areas being seen as “uncivilized” or backwards by those from urban areas. Despite its comedic elements, this scene serves to show how powerful these cultural divides can be and how easily they can lead to misunderstandings and even hostility between different groups of people.
Overall, the banjo scene in Deliverance plays an important role in illustrating how deep-seated cultural divides can exist between different parts of America and how tese differences can lead to both fear and shame on either side.
Source: americancinematheque.com
The Mysterious Banjo Boy from Deliverance
Billy Redden was the creepy banjo boy in Deliverance (1972). He was a 16-year-old local from Clayton, Georgia who was handpicked by director John Boorman for the role of an odd banjo player. In the movie, Redden plays a young mountain boy named Lonnie who challenges one of the main characters to a banjo-off. His facial expressions and demeanor add to his creepy character, with one critic calling him “a cross between a gargoyle and an imp”. Redden is most remembered for his iconic line, “You got a purty mouth” which has become an emblematic phrase of Deliverance.
Did They Play A Banjo In Deliverance?
Yes, a banjo was played in the 1972 classic movie Deliverance. The song was composed and arranged by folk musician Eric Weissberg and he also played the banjo himself. The song is called “Dueling Banjos” and it has become one of the most iconic movie songs of all time. It is a duet between Weissberg’s five-string banjo playing and 13-year-old guitarist Steve Mandel. The music was specifically written for the film, as it was a unique sound that fit with the mood of the movie. The song was used in various scenes throughot the movie and has become an iconic part of Deliverance since its release. Sadly, Eric Weissberg passed away on March 22, 2020 at age 80 due to Alzheimer’s disease complications but his legacy lives on through his timeless work on this beloved song.
Did Billy Redden Play the Banjo in ‘Deliverance’?
No, Billy Redden did not actually play the banjo in Deliverance. To achieve the desired effect of Redden appearing to be an inbred from the backwoods, director John Boorman felt that Redden’s physical qualities were a perfect fit for the character. Because Redden coud not play the banjo, Boorman had him wear a special shirt that enabled a real banjo player to hide behind him and play while Redden mimed along.
Exploring the Stereotype of Inbreeding in ‘Deliverance’ and the Banjo Player Character
No, the banjo player in Deliverance was not an inbred. His name is Billy Redden, and he was discovered by Tim Burton while working at a cafe in Clayton, Georgia. Burton cast him as the banjo-playing character Lonnie in the movie. Redden has sice appeared on a show called Blue Collar TV, where he played an inbred car mechanic who also happened to play the banjo. However, this character was not based off of his portrayal of Lonnie in Deliverance and there is no evidence to suggest that Billy Redden or the character of Lonnie were ever intended to be portrayed as inbred.
Source: atlantamagazine.com
The Mystery of Drew Falling in the River
Drew fell in the river because he was overwhelmed by the events that had just transpired. After witnessing and bing a part of what had happened, he refused to go on and shook his head before falling out of the canoe. This is revealed in the director’s commentary for the film as an indication of Drew no longer wanting to continue on with the journey.
Was The Movie Deliverance Based On A True Story?
The movie Deliverance is indeed based on a true story. The film follows the story of a mother named Rebecca and her three children, who move into an old abandoned house in rural Louisiana. Soon after arriving, they discover that the house is haunted by a malevolent supernatural force that seeks to overtake their souls. Rebecca must protect her family from the dark forces at work in the home and fight for their safety and salvation.
The story was inspired by real-life events experienced by writer/director Daniel Myrick. In 2010, Myrick and his family moved into an old Victorian mansion in South Carolina where they quickly began to experience strange occurrences. Over the course of severl months, they experienced a range of supernatural phenomena, including voices, shadows and unexplainable noises. After consulting with paranormal experts, they finally concluded that their home was haunted by a demonic presence.
Myrick was so moved by his experiences that he wrote and directed The Deliverance as a way to share his story with others. The film fllows many of the same elements as Myrick’s real-life experience, albeit with some creative license taken for dramatic effect.
Exploring the Connection Between ‘Deliverance’ and Lake Lanier
No, Deliverance is not based on Lake Lanier. The book and movie were inspired by the creation of Carters Lake from the Coosawattee River in the 1970’s. However, when it came time for filming, Carters Lake had been flooded and stripped so the production chose a river some 50 miles away instead. The chosen river was the Chattooga River, which runs along the Georgia-South Carolina border and was featured in most of the movie’s scenes.
Filming Location of ‘Deliverance’
Deliverance was filmed on the Chattooga River, which is located on the northwestern part of Oconee County, South Carolina and Georgia. This river is famously known for bing featured in the 1972 movie starring Jon Voight and Burt Reynolds. The Chattooga River is a tributary of the Tugaloo River, a part of the Coosa-Tallapoosa river basin. It provides stunning scenery with its turbulent whitewater rapids and lush forested banks. The Chattooga River is also home to many species of fish and wildlife including trout, bass, bluegill, beaver, otter, mink, bald eagles and osprey.
The Origins of the Banjo: Did Slaves Create It?
Yes, enslaved Africans and their descendants were responsible for the creation of the banjo. The banjo was crafted from everyday objects found in slave-labor camps and plantations, such as gourds, animal skins, wooden sticks, and strings. It was used to accompany singing and dancing durng labor and celebration. In North America, African-American slaves combined elements of African string instruments with banjo-like instruments from Europe to create a unique sound that would eventually come to be known as the “banjo”. This sound became popular among white Americans during the late 19th century, when minstrel shows began featuring it as part of their performances.
The Role of the Banjo in the Lives of Slaves
Yes, slaves played the banjo. The earliest banjos were exclusively played by enslaved African Americans, with records showing that they were playing the instrument at least two hundred years before whites even considered laying hands on it. Banjos were seen as a “primitive” instrument by the slaveholding culture, but were a significant part of African American music and culture. The instrument was likey introduced to white audiences by minstrel shows in the early 19th century, which showcased acts featuring African American musicians playing banjos and other traditional instruments.
Filming the Banjo Scene in Deliverance
The banjo scene in Deliverance was filmed using a special technique. To allow local musician Mike Addis to play the instrument while appearing to be Ronny Cox, the actor who originally played the role, Redden wore a special shirt with sleeves that were long enough to hide Addis’s arms. The camera was then set up so it only showed Redden’s face and the banjo being played. Additionally, a soundproof room was used to ensure that no outside noise interfered with the recording. All of these elements combined allowed for a seamless filming of the iconic Deliverance banjo scene.
The Musicians Behind the Iconic ‘Dueling Banjos’ Performance
The iconic “Dueling Banjos” song, from the 1972 movie Deliverance, was performed by Eric Weissberg on the 5-string banjo and Steve Mandell on the guitar. The song was arranged by Eric Weissberg and won him a Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance. The original track included additional instrumentation from Doug Davis on guitar, Marshall Brickman on mandolin, and Chuck Israels on bass.
Source: californiaherps.com
The Disturbing Scene in Deliverance
The disturbing scene in Deliverance occurs when Bobby (the character played by Ned Beatty) is raped by two assailants. The scene starts with Bobby being chased and cornered in the woods, then held down as one of the assailants taunts him. After this, Bobby is subjected to a horrifically violent sexual assault, with the rapist’s squeals and Bobby’s screams being heard as the scene fades away. This scene is deeply unsettling due to its sheer brutality and the helplessness of its victim, making it one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history.
Did Burt Reynolds Perform His Own Stunts in ‘Deliverance’?
Yes, Burt Reynolds did his own stunts in Deliverance. He famously broke his coccyx (tailbone) whie going down the rapids when the canoe capsized. The production was not insured to minimize costs, so all of the actors were responsible for their own stunts. Jon Voight also performed his own stunt by climbing a cliff. Initially, a dummy was used when shooting the infamous waterfall scene, but it looked too fake and so Burt decided to do it himself for authenticity.
Conclusion
The inclusion of a banjo in Deliverance was an important touch to the iconic horror film. Through Eric Weissberg’s arrangement, Billy Redden’s stage presence, and John Boorman’s direction, the banjo became a powerful symbol of rural America’s struggles and tensions with modernity. The uncomfortable scene featuring Redden and the banjo serves as an enduring reminder that our nation’s culture is far from uniform, and that there are real life consequences when these divides become too wide. Deliverance will frever remain a classic in American cinema, and its use of the banjo will continue to be remembered for years to come.
