Deliverance: Chattooga River Festival
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 movie's release with this weekend's first ever Chattooga River Festival.
Deliverance: Chattooga River Festival
Two giant banjos representing "Dueling Banjos," a reference to the movie "Deliverance", stand at the entrance to Chattooga River Festival Friday, June 22, 2012, in Long Creek, S.C. 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. Festival organizers say they hope the event can be an annual draw that raises money to preserve the Chattooga River and promotes environmental stewardship. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Deliverance: Chattooga River Festival
One of two giant banjos representing "Dueling Banjos," a reference to the movie "Deliverance", stand at the entrance to the Chattooga River Festival Friday, June 22, 2012, in Long Creek, S.C. 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. Festival organizers say they hope the event can be an annual draw that raises money to preserve the Chattooga River and promotes environmental stewardship. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Deliverance: Chattooga River Festival
The Chattooga River which was featured in the movie "Deliverance", is seen Friday, June 22, 2012, in Clayton, Ga. 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. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Deliverance: Chattooga River Festival
A kayaker passes along Woodall Shoals on the Chattooga River where a scene was filmed for the movie "Deliverance", Friday, June 22, 2012, in Clayton, Ga. 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. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Deliverance: Chattooga River Festival
This image released by Warner Bros. Entertainment shows actors Burt Reynolds portraying Lewis Medlock, left, and Ned Beatty as Bobby Trippe, right, 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 movie's release with this weekend's first ever Chattooga River Festival. (AP Photo/Warner Bros. Entertainment)
Deliverance: Chattooga River Festival
Todd Lankford launches his kayak at Woodall Shoals along the Chattooga River where a scene was filmed for the movie "Deliverance", Friday, June 22, 2012, in Clayton, Ga. 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. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Deliverance: Chattooga River Festival
A sticker with a quote from the movie "Deliverance" is seen as a canoe used in the filming of the movie hangs from the ceiling of Southeastern Expeditions Whitewater Adventures, Friday, June 22, 2012, in Clayton, Ga. 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. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Deliverance: Chattooga River Festival
A Chattooga River Festival t-shirt referencing the movie "Deliverance" is on display for sale at the Chattooga River Festival Friday, June 22, 2012, in Long Creek, S.C. 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. Festival organizers say they hope the event can be an annual draw that raises money to preserve the Chattooga River and promotes environmental stewardship. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Deliverance: Chattooga River Festival
This image released by Warner Bros. Entertainment shows actor Burt Reynolds portraying 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 movie's release with this weekend's first ever Chattooga River Festival. (AP Photo/Warner Bros. Entertainment)
Deliverance: Chattooga River Festival
The Tallulah Falls, where Jon Voight's character climbed a cliff for a scene in the movie "Deliverance", is seen Friday, June 22, 2012, in Tallulah Falls, Ga. 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. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Deliverance: Chattooga River Festival
This image released by Warner Bros. Entertainment shows actor Burt Reynolds portraying Lewis Medlock, left, and Bill McKinney as Don Job 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 movie's release with this weekend's first ever Chattooga River Festival. (AP Photo/Warner Bros. Entertainment)
Deliverance: Chattooga River Festival
A coin-operated binocular overlooking the Tallulah Gorge where parts of the movie "Deliverance" were filmed is seen Friday, June 22, 2012, in Tallulah Falls, Ga. 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. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Deliverance: Chattooga River Festival
Rafting guides walk down to Woodall Shoals on the Chattooga River where a scene was filmed for the movie "Deliverance", Friday, June 22, 2012, in Clayton, Ga. 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. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
ATLANTA (AP) — Four decades ago, the movie "Deliverance" introduced the lush north Georgia mountains to the world.