One of the last wooden canoes from "Deliverance" remains in the possession of Mark Holloway.

One of the last wooden canoes from "Deliverance" remains in the possession of Mark Holloway.

Spending time in Rabun County, fly fishing the Chattooga River, canoeing or hiking along its lovely, flowing water, it’s impossible not to contemplate James Dickey’s 1970 book, and the Oscar, Golden Globe-nominated film of the same name, Deliverance. 

Has it really been over 50 years?

The movie is widely acclaimed as a cultural landmark. One of the 20th century’s most unforgettable films - from its opening music scene of “Dueling Banjos” to its horrific depiction of rape.

Four fictional Atlanta friends played by Burt Reynolds, Jon Voigt, Ned Beatty and Ronny Cox take on the fast-moving river in

Four fictional Atlanta friends played by Burt Reynolds, Jon Voigt, Ned Beatty and Ronny Cox take on the fast-moving river in "Deliverance." Reynolds has said it was his best movie performance.

Deliverance is 109 minutes of intense drama, a terrifying “R” rated adventure about four fictional Atlanta friends (played by Burt Reynolds, Jon Voigt, Ned Beatty, and Ronny Cox) who take on the fast-moving river. 

Director John Boorman’s work has been selected for preservation in the United States' National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.  

Reynolds has said it was his best movie performance. 

19 people drowned on the river 36 months after the movie was released in 1972. 

Today in Tiger, Georgia, near Clayton, a keepsake hangs from the ceiling in a Lake Burton home. One of the last wooden canoes from Deliverance remains in the possession of Mark Holloway.

“There is an auction house in Los Angeles that is quite famous for movie memorabilia, they are very eager to auction the boat,” Holloway said. “But out of respect for the friends who gave me the boat, I will not be selling it.”

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The friend is 91-year-old Bill Dunlap, who worked for Georgia Power and was loaned out during the filming to control water flow at the Tallulah Gorge. 

Dunlap was also the 1960’s founder of the Georgia Canoeing Association. 

Old Town [Maine] confirmed the serial number on Mark Holloway’s canoe and sent him a copy of the build order showing delivery

Old Town [Maine] confirmed the serial number on Mark Holloway’s canoe and sent him a copy of the build order showing delivery to Warner Bros. in Georgia in 1971.

“ When the film wrapped, they offered Bill [Dunlap], Burt Reynolds’ aluminum canoe as a token of their gratitude or the wooden canoe,” Holloway continued. “Bill chose the Old Town [Maine] boat. Before long, he hung it in the rafters of his home on the lake.”

How did Holloway receive the storied canoe? 

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“My company, Property Stewards, takes care of high-end luxury getaway homes. Bill was a client,” answered the Florida alum and former WMAZ Television reporter, “I had shown some interest in the boat; and because of that interest, they gave me it to me when they moved to Sea Island.”

According to Paddling Magazine: “It was speculated that all the other canoes (12) were either destroyed during filming or lost over time… until now. Old Town [Maine] confirmed the serial number on Holloway’s canoe and sent him a copy of the build order showing delivery to Warner Bros. in Georgia in 1971.”

Holloway told me that while he was building a home in Rabun County he allowed a local outdoors shop in Clayton to display the canoe for two years.

“I am friends with the 'banjo boy,' " said Mark Holloway. "Billy Redden is still alive. I took him down to the river to pose

“I am friends with the 'banjo boy,' " said Mark Holloway. "Billy Redden is still alive. I took him down to the river to pose beside the boat before I put the boat on display.”

“ I am friends with the 'banjo boy,' " Holloway added. "Billy Redden is still alive, I took him down to the river to pose beside the boat before I put the boat on display; and eventually hung it in our home.”

Holloway says the Warner Brothers film brought economic prosperity to Rabun County, followed by federal protection of the river. But the depiction of the locals was unfortunate, he maintains. “Mountain people were shown in a very negative light.”

The Rabun County of 1972 is long gone, supplanted by luxury homes, expensive SUV’s, fancy boats, sophisticated dining, and stylish Orvis outdoor wear—still Deliverance resonates through the woods and rapids. If you’ve seen the movie or read the book, you’ll never forget.

Spending time in Rabun County, fly fishing the Chattooga River, canoeing or hiking along its lovely, flowing water, it’s impo

Spending time in Rabun County, fly fishing the Chattooga River, canoeing or hiking along its lovely, flowing water, it’s impossible not to contemplate, "Deliverance."