Recently, I had the pleasure of exploring the area in and around the Chattooga River, a location that had a starring role in the 1972 classic film Deliverance. Directed by John Boorman and starring Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds and Ned Beatty, this iconic film was shot on location along the Chattooga River which runs along the top of the northwestern part of Oconee County and creates the border between South Carolina and Georgia.
The story follows four men (Voight, Reynolds, Beatty and Ronny Cox) as they embark on a weekend canoeing trip through wild rapids downriver, unaware of what dangers lie ahead. Much of the filming took place in Rabun County, located just south of Clayton in Georgia. The rising waters at the end of this movie are Lake Jocassee, created when Duke Power Company flooded Jocassee Valley in 1971. The lake is located about 30 miles east from Clayton into Oconee County South Carolina.
One of the most memorable locations featured in Deliverance is Aintry’s Lodge. This rustic lodge was demolished at some point during the 1980s and stood at the northwest corner of Black Rock Mountain Parkway and Highway 441N. It has since been featured on a vintage postcard with a comparison photo to show visitors what it once looked like.
If you’re looking to explore some sights related to Deliverance or enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking or camping whle taking in all that nature has to offer – then this is an ideal destination for you! I highly recommend making your way over to Rabun County or Oconee County to experience all that this region has to offer – you won’t regret it!
Filming Location of Deliverance
Deliverance, the 1972 classic American thriller film directed by John Boorman, was filmed on the Chattooga River, which is located in the northwest part of Oconee County, South Carolina and Georgia. This river creates a natural border beween these two states and it has become popularly known as the “Deliverance River” due to its role in the movie. The Chattooga River is a tributary of the Tugaloo River that runs for about sixty-five miles before it meets up with Lake Hartwell and eventually empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The Chattooga River offers a variety of outdoor activities such as kayaking, rafting, fishing, and camping. It is also home to several species of fish including smallmouth bass and trout.
Source: toledoblade.com
The Setting of ‘Deliverance’
Deliverance is set in the state of Georgia, specifically in Rabun County. The movie was filmed on location in Rabun County and on the Chattooga River, allowing for an authentic and immersive experience. The story follows four friends as they embark on a weekend canoeing trip down the fictional Cahulawassee River, only to find themselves in a fight for survival against the harsh and unforgiving landscape of Georgia’s backcountry. This setting is essential to the plot of the story, providing a unique backdrop that helps to set the tone and atmosphere of Deliverance.
The Building of the Lake in Deliverance
The lake being built in the film Deliverance is Lake Jocassee, which was created by the Duke Power Company when they flooded Jocassee Valley in 1971. Located about 30 miles east of Clayton, South Carolina, near the border of Oconee County, Lake Jocassee is a 7,500-acre reservoir surrounded by mountains. It’s an ideal spot for outdoor activities like fishing, boating and camping, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The rising waters at the end of Deliverance symbolically reflect the changes that were taking place in the valley as a result of the Duke Power Company’s actions.
The Location of the Colonial Lodge in ‘Deliverance’
The Colonial Lodge was a popular roadside motel located at the northwest corner of Black Rock Mountain Parkway and Highway 441 N until it was tragically demolished durng the 1980s. The lodge can be seen in the 1972 classic film Deliverance, when the protagonists make a stop on their journey down the fictional Cahulawassee River. The view of the lodge from the film is from its south side, looking across the street toward what is now Black Rock Mountain State Park. A vintage postcard of the lodge can be seen for comparison, showing its distinctive mountain stone façade surrounded by lush forest. Unfortunately, today there is nothing left except memories of this once great establishment.
Is Deliverance’s Banjo Kid Still Alive?
No, the banjo kid from Deliverance, Eric Weissberg, passed away on March 23rd 2021 at the age of 80. He had been suffering from Alzheimer’s for a number of years. Although he is no longer with us, his legacy lives on in his performance of “Dueling Banjos” in the film Deliverance which resulted in an unlikely smash hit single and album.
Source: georgiaencyclopedia.org
Is ‘Deliverance’ Based on a True Story?
No, Deliverance is not a true story. The movie was inspired by a true story, but the plot and characters are entirely fictional. The film follows four Atlanta businessmen on a weekend canoeing trip down the Cahulawassee River in northern Georgia, where they encounter the locals and their own inner demons. The movie was based on James Dickey’s 1970 novel of the same name, which was loosely inspired by his own experiences in rural Georgia. So while the movie may have been inspired by a true story, it is not itself based on any real events or people.
Is Aintry a Legitimate Town?
No, Aintry is not a real town. It was created for the 1972 film Deliverance, and is not based on any real-life location. The movie was filmed in Rabun County in northern Georgia, which some viewers may have mistaken for the fictional town of Aintry. The Cahulawassee River, which was featured in the movie, is also a fictional river and does not exist in real life. However, many filming locations from Deliverance still exist today and are popular tourist attractions for fans of the movie.
Exploring the Waterfall from ‘Deliverance’
The movie Deliverance famously featured Long Creek Falls, which is located on the Chattooga River in northwest Georgia. The spectacular waterfall, featuring a drop of around 30-40 feet, can be seen in several scenes of the movie and has become an iconic symbol of the film. The Chattooga River also features another famous site from the movie – a large boulder known as “Deliverance rock” where several important scenes were shot. Long Creek Falls has become a popular destination for Deliverance fans and outdoor adventurers alike, offering spectacular views and plenty of opportunities for adventure.
The Location of the Cahulawassee River
The Cahulawassee river is a fictional river created for the 1972 movie Deliverance. However, the site used to film most of the river scenes was the Chattooga River in northeastern Georgia. Specifically, a 10-mile stretch of the river south of Earl’s Ford Road was used for most of the shots. The Chattooga River is located near the border between Georgia and South Carolina and forms part of their state line. It flows through Rabun County in Georgia and eventually empties into Lake Tugalo in South Carolina.
Source: sierraclub.org
The Origin of the Canoe from Deliverance
The canoe from the 1972 film Deliverance is on display at the Burt Reynolds & Friends Museum in Jupiter, Florida. The museum is home to two battered old canoes used in the filming of the movie. These canoes are highly prized artifacts, and despite their pitted shells, they remain a testament to the unique cultural and historical significance of the film.
Exploring the Mountains of Deliverance
Deliverance is set in the North Georgia Mountains, specifically the Chattahoochee National Forest. The four friends in the movie travel down the Chattooga River, which is located in the mountain range. The Chattahoochee National Forest is home to several mountain ranges, including Cohutta Mountains, Blue Ridge Mountains, and Rich Mountain. The Chattooga River runs through all of these ranges, allowing for a scenic journey throughout the film.
Location of the Chattooga River
The Chattooga River is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of the Southeast United States, where it flows trough the Ellicott Rock Wilderness Area. This area is situated on the border of Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The Chattooga River begins at the base of the Blue Ridge Escarpment in northwestern South Carolina and winds northward for approximately 25 miles before joining with the Tallulah River to form the Tugaloo River near Lake Yonah, Georgia. It is well-known for its rapids, which range from Class III to Class V in difficulty. The Chattooga River also provides a beautiful backdrop for outdoor activities such as rafting, canoeing, fishing and hiking.
Conclusion
The 1972 film Deliverance captured the beauty and terror of the wilderness with its story of four city-dwellers on a canoeing trip down the Chattooga River in Georgia. The movie was filmed on location in Rabun County, Georgia and Oconee County, South Carolina, and included scenes at Lake Jocassee in South Carolina. The film’s iconic lodge was demolished during the 1980s and can now only be seen in vintage postcards. Ultimately, Deliverance showed viewers that adventure could be found close to home, even within their own states.
