‘Deliverance’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Ryen Russillo
January 31, 2023 · Deliverance (1972) · Adventure · Drama · Thriller · 1:40:38 · ▶ Listen on Spotify
Categories
Hall of Fame Plaque
Bill SimmonsThe movie's cultural impact through themes of man vs nature, city vs country, hillbilly horror, masculinity, and its role in launching Burt Reynolds' superstar career▶ 5:34
Ryen RussilloThe efficient character introduction technique and creative opening sequence that influenced filmmaking▶ 6:35
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Chris RyanRaises several ambiguous questions: Do you see Ron? Do you see Drew get shot? Can you tell it's the right mountain man that he kills?▶ 19:13
Most Rewatchable Scene
Chris RyanReferences The Town scene with Affleck as comparable iconic level, discusses the rape scene in detail as most impactful▶ 23:33
Ryen RussilloDiscusses multiple iconic scenes including the rape scene as most memorable/iconic, comparing it to 'Luke Skywalker learning Darth Vader's dad' level of cultural impact▶ 23:12
Just One Oscar
Ryen RussilloTorn between 'he and the cucumber lady' - likely referring to two performances but specific actors/categories unclear▶ 40:43
Big Kahuna Burger Award
Ryen RussilloSupports the lodge dinner scene, particularly praising the local actors including the woman talking about cucumbers▶ 42:48
Butch's Girlfriend Award
Bill SimmonsYoung John Voight looking like Angelina Jolie and Ned Beatty's disturbing dark teeth▶ 49:41
Chris RyanDrew as the weak link of the crew and the poorly executed femur break special effects▶ 46:35
Ryen RussilloThe vague execution of Drew's death scene and the ambiguous final cliff scene with the mountain man identity▶ 46:50
Is There a Better Title?
Bill SimmonsSuggests alternative titles like 'Date Night' and 'Guys Trip' but acknowledges the original title has deeper meaning about deliverance from city life▶ 54:03
Ryen RussilloNo, thinks 'Deliverance' is a great name that works and holds up, noting it has something ominous about it▶ 54:33
Best Quote
Chris RyanAgrees with the quote choice but notes it's been ripped off many times since, making it harder to appreciate the original▶ 55:30
Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award
Bill SimmonsThis is one of the most secretly ripped off movies ever made in all different directions▶ 55:55
Casting What-Ifs
Bill SimmonsGene Hackman — Discusses various alternate casting including Sam Peckinpah as director, Gene Hackman as Ed, Lee Marvin and Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, Donald Sutherland, and gives John Cazale for the Ronnie Cox part in recasting couch▶ 1:01:20
Chris RyanDennis Hopper — Notes the pattern of same five actors in 1970s casting what-ifs, mentions Henry Fonda and Jimmy Stewart were in the mix but may have aged out, discusses Dennis Hopper as potential mountain man▶ 1:01:33
Ryen RussilloDonald Sutherland — Agrees Donald Sutherland would have been perfect for Ed, discusses his Vermont background and canoe skills, shares personal story about getting chased in Vermont▶ 1:02:07
Apex Mountain
Bill SimmonsNot for the four actors individually, but suggests apex mountain for various elements: deep Georgia, canoeing, banjos, horrifically disturbing male rape scenes, exposed femurs, sleeveless scuba vests, dual citizen hillbillies▶ 1:17:18
Ryen RussilloNed Beatty — No for Reynolds, no for the four actors individually, agrees Ned Beatty's apex was Network with Academy Award nomination▶ 1:17:25
Sequel/Prequel/Limited Series/Remake
Bill SimmonsMentions sequel, prequel, prestige TV, and all black cast as options, suggests prestige TV would be good but notes SPEAKER_00 has been on a heater with all black cast▶ 1:22:25
Ryen RussilloDiscusses concerns about prestige TV adaptations always being pushed for unnecessary season three extensions, using Yellowjackets and Prison Break as examples of shows that didn't plan beyond their original concept▶ 1:22:43
Is This Movie Better With
Bill SimmonsWayne Jenkins, Catherine Hans, Steve Buscemi, Sam Jackson, JT Welsh, and Philip Baker Hall▶ 1:23:29
Chris RyanWayne Jenkins as the sheriff, delivering the line 'you know what big man you're going to jail a long fucking time get him the fuck out of here'▶ 1:23:34
Ryen RussilloAgreed Wayne Jenkins would fit well, suggesting he could have played Lewis or one of the Grinder brothers.▶ 1:24:01
Who Won the Movie
Chris RyanBurt Reynolds — Burt Reynolds - because he goes down in such flames that it still feels wrong not to give it to him, and it's the birth of Burt pre-stardom▶ 1:28:48
Ryen RussilloBurt Reynolds — Initially suggests Montana/landscapes and cinematography of the town, but concedes it's Burt Reynolds while acknowledging he's forcing the conversation to pick the landscapes▶ 1:28:54
Movies Referenced (40)
| Title (year) | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinatown (1974) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 6 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Ryen Russillo | ▶ 1:33:10 |
| Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons | ▶ 4:18 |
| The Exorcist (1973) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Chris Ryan | ▶ 4:42 |
| Sideways (2004) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 7:33 |
| Gone Girl (2014) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 16:58 |
| Jaws (1975) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Chris Ryan, Ryen Russillo | ▶ 4:31 |
| Nope (2022) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Chris Ryan, Ryen Russillo | ▶ 25:51 |
| Pulp Fiction (1994) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 31:14 |
| Alien (1979) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 7:44 |
| Fargo (1996) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 59:45 |
| Weapons (2025) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo | ▶ 1:18:50 |
| Before We Go (2014) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 1:25:07 |
Directors Referenced (5)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Fosse | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | All That Jazz | ▶ 19:29 |
| Clint Eastwood | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Ryen Russillo | Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino, Unforgiven | ▶ 1:30:49 |
| John Boorman | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Ryen Russillo | ▶ 2:45 | |
| Paul Bellany | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Ryen Russillo | Stardust | ▶ 0:00 |
| Robert Altman | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Chris Ryan | Gosford Park | ▶ 41:12 |
Actors Referenced (26)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burt Reynolds | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | Boogie Nights, Smokey and the Bandit, Striptease | ▶ 5:51 |
| Ned Beatty | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons | Network, Deliverance, Shooter | ▶ 10:49 |
| Jimmy Carter | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 1:12:24 | |
| Jon Voight | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | Midnight Cowboy, Anaconda, Deliverance | ▶ 6:10 |
| Lee Marvin | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Chris Ryan | ▶ 1:01:39 | |
| Steven Seagal | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo | Under Siege 2: Dark Territory | ▶ 2:15 |
| Crazy Town | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Ryen Russillo | Something's Gotta Give | ▶ 0:07 |
| Dan August | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 11:09 | |
| Dennis Hopper | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | Easy Rider, Blue Velvet, Speed | ▶ 1:08:35 |
| Donald Sutherland | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 1:04:34 | |
| Fred Dalton | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 1:07:31 | |
| Halle Berry | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Chris Ryan | Die Another Day | ▶ 14:35 |
Writers Referenced (3)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Dickey | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Ryen Russillo, Chris Ryan | Deliverance | ▶ 2:45 |
| Jim Harrison | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | Legends of the Fall | ▶ 1:09:20 |
| Roger Ebert | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 20:08 |
Cinematographers Referenced (1)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Scott | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Ryen Russillo | Speed, Twister, Donnie Darko | ▶ 24:46 |