Actor Burt Reynolds portrayed Lewis Medlock in the 1972 film “Deliverance.” Four decades ago, the lush northeast Georgia mountains were introduced to the world in the hit film “Deliverance.” Though many in the region still bristle at the movie’s portrayal of locals as uneducated, toothless hillbillies who sodomize visitors from the big city, the film helped create the $20 million rafting and outdoor sports industry along the Chattooga River, which splits Georgia and South Carolina and was the fictional Cahulawassee River in the movie. That’s why the communities along the Chattooga are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the movieís release with this weekend’s first ever Chattooga River Festival.By DORIE TURNER
Associated Press
ATLANTA – Four decades ago, the movie “Deliverance” introduced the lush north Georgia mountains to the world.
Though many in the region still bristle at the movie’s portrayal of locals as uneducated hillbillies, the film helped create the $20 million rafting and outdoor sports industry along the Chattooga River, which splits Georgia and South Carolina. Several movies have filmed in the area this year because of the natural beauty showcased in “Deliverance,” including next year’s “Killing Season” with Robert DeNiro and John Travolta.
This weekend, communities along the Chattooga are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the movie’s release with the first-ever Chattooga River Festival, even though some locals are unhappy with the idea of reminding the world of the area’s connection to the movie.