Four ordinary city men descend a river by canoe, determined to test themselves against a wilderness they only think they understand. The locals (a bunch of inbred mountain folks) don't take too kindly to the "city boys" messing around in their territory. But it's only when Voight and Beatty are sexually abused by two sadistic hillbillys, that all four realise just how far out of their depth they really are and how they must resort to primitive savagery to survive.

The plot surges forward with sustained urgency and suspense, strengthened by the skillful depiction of each man's change of character under stress. Beautifully and stylishly photographed in a landscape where the people are as scary as the country is beautiful.

Makes you think twice about going white water rafting again!

Investigation finished: 2000-12-28

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Story: 8/10 - Based on the screenplay by James Dicky, this is a classic suspense/action film.

Acting: 10/10 - Jon Voight is excellent as the non-violent Ed, and Burt Reynolds delivers the dramatic performance of his career ( not such a major effort when considering he was in the Cannonball run movies).

Violence: 7/10 - Very unsettling and traumatic, the rape scene was later copied by Tarantino in Pulp Fiction.

Nudity: 0/10 - No, and if you ask Ned Beatty he'll tell you the same.

Coolness: 2/10 - Not cool, just damn good.

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