The film Deliverance concludes with Ed Gentry awakening from a troubled sleep, haunted by the memory of the ill-fated canoeing trip. He hears the banjo melody, seemingly emanating from the lake, a chilling reminder of the trauma, survival, and moral ambiguity that defined their ordeal.
The Final Paddles and the Lake’s Secret
The final sequence of Deliverance portrays the four men – Ed, Lewis, Bobby, and Drew (whose death remains ambiguous) – nearing the end of their harrowing journey down the Cahulawassee River. Following the forced encounter with the mountain men, the death of the sheriff, and the presumed death of Drew, the surviving members are deeply scarred, both physically and psychologically. Their escape is achieved by releasing the water from the dam, propelling them downstream toward Aintry, the town they sought to reach before the river’s inundation.
However, the river refuses to release them without a final, brutal sacrifice. Before reaching Aintry, they encounter a powerful rapid. Lewis, still weakened from his injuries, nearly drowns, saved only by Ed’s quick action. This incident underscores the river’s relentless power and the men’s vulnerability.
Upon reaching Aintry, they encounter the local authorities, who are immediately suspicious of their story, particularly the unexplained death of the sheriff. Ed, now the reluctant leader, convinces the others to stick to their fabricated narrative: that Drew drowned, and they never saw the mountain men or the sheriff.
The film ends with Ed back in his Atlanta suburban home, his life seemingly returned to normal. However, the final shot of Ed awakening from a dream, punctuated by the haunting banjo melody, reveals the indelible mark the river has left on his psyche. The lake, now covering the land where they endured such horror, becomes a symbol of buried secrets and unresolved guilt.
Decoding the Ending’s Ambiguity
The ending of Deliverance is not a neat resolution; it is intentionally ambiguous and unsettling. The lingering questions surrounding Drew’s fate and the men’s collective deception create a sense of unease that resonates long after the credits roll.
The film’s power lies in its exploration of the fragility of civilization and the primal instincts that emerge when men are stripped of their familiar surroundings and confronted with the raw forces of nature. Ed’s final nightmare suggests that the river, with all its horrors, has awakened something within him, a capacity for violence and deceit that he can no longer ignore. The banjo melody serves as a constant reminder of this inner darkness, a haunting echo of the experiences that have irrevocably changed him. The ending suggests that true “deliverance” from the river’s grip is impossible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Ending of Deliverance
H3: What is the significance of the banjo music at the end?
The banjo melody, specifically “Dueling Banjos,” is a powerful symbol throughout the film. Initially representing the potential for connection and communication between Ed and the mountain people, it later becomes a haunting reminder of the brutal encounter and the loss of innocence. At the end, it signifies Ed’s inability to escape the memory of the river and the darkness it revealed within him. It’s a constant echo of what transpired.
H3: What happens to Drew? Is he really dead?
The film deliberately leaves Drew’s fate ambiguous. While the men claim he drowned, viewers are left to suspect he was killed. The sheriff’s body adds further weight to the possibility of a cover-up. This ambiguity is crucial to the film’s themes of guilt and the erosion of morality under duress.
H3: Why do they lie to the authorities about the sheriff?
They lie to protect themselves. Revealing the truth about the encounter with the mountain men and the subsequent death of the sheriff would likely result in lengthy investigations and potential legal consequences. They choose self-preservation over honesty, a moral compromise that further complicates their ordeal.
H3: What does the lake symbolize?
The lake symbolizes the burial of the truth. It literally covers the landscape where the events transpired, mirroring the men’s attempt to bury their memories and guilt. It represents the suppression of their primal nature and the cost of their deception.
H3: Does Ed ever come to terms with what happened?
The ending suggests that Ed does not come to terms with what happened. His nightmare and the haunting banjo music imply that the experience will continue to haunt him, impacting his mental and emotional well-being. He is left with unresolved trauma and guilt.
H3: What is the broader message of the film’s ending?
The ending serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of venturing too far outside the bounds of civilization and the potential for violence and corruption that lurks within human nature. It highlights the fragility of morality when confronted with extreme circumstances.
H3: How does the ending differ from the novel?
James Dickey, the author of the novel Deliverance and the film’s screenwriter, maintained close control over the adaptation. The ending in the film is largely faithful to the book, retaining the ambiguity and the haunting sense of unresolved trauma.
H3: What is the significance of Ed’s archery skills?
Ed’s archery skills are symbolic of his ability to adapt and survive in the wilderness. His proficiency with the bow and arrow allows him to become the hero of the story, but it also underscores the primitive instincts that lie beneath his suburban facade. His killing of the second mountain man highlights this duality.
H3: What role does Lewis Medlock play in the final scenes?
Lewis, initially the instigator of the trip and the embodiment of masculine prowess, is significantly weakened and humbled by his injuries. He becomes dependent on Ed, highlighting the shift in leadership and the changing dynamics of the group. His physical vulnerability underscores the limitations of even the most skilled individual when faced with the raw power of nature.
H3: Is Deliverance a commentary on masculinity?
Yes, Deliverance offers a complex and often critical commentary on masculinity. The film explores themes of male bonding, competition, and the performance of masculine roles. The characters are forced to confront their limitations and question their preconceived notions of what it means to be a man, particularly under duress. The events on the river challenge and ultimately undermine their conventional definitions of masculinity.
H3: What makes the ending so disturbing?
The disturbing nature of the ending stems from its lack of resolution. The audience is left with unanswered questions and a sense of unease, knowing that the men are carrying a heavy burden of guilt and trauma. The film refuses to offer easy answers or a comforting sense of closure, leaving viewers to grapple with the moral complexities of the situation.
H3: What is the long-term impact of the canoeing trip on Ed’s life?
The long-term impact is profound. Ed’s experience on the river changes him irrevocably. He returns to his suburban life, but he is no longer the same man. He carries the psychological scars of his ordeal, haunted by the memories of violence, deceit, and the primal forces he encountered in the wilderness. He’s forever marked by his “deliverance.”