Review of Sadgati (1981) by Danny R — 23 Jul 2015
John Boorman's powerfully gripping film based on James Dickey's best selling novel; Dickey wrote the captivating and richly-layered screenplay, about four businessmen who set out on a whitewater rafting trip down a wild Georgia River, but their adventure soon becomes a nightmare of survival when they encounter two demented mountain men, chillingly played by the late Bill McKinney and Herbert Coward.
Their innocent nature trip turns into a life and death struggle lace with murder. Fascinating and highly suspenseful throughout with beautiful cinematography by Vilmos Zsigmond, superbly acted by the entire cast particularly Burt Reynolds in the finest dynamic performance of his career, as the strong-willed leader of the men, Jon Voight in a marvelous turn as the sensitive man who finds he wants to release his primitive instincts when his life is at sake.
Ned Beatty delivers a superlative performance in his screen debut as the city slicker member of the group who is brutally raped by Bill McKinney's menacing mountain man; in the first on screen depiction of a male rape, and a solid Ronny Cox, as the quiet family man who is completely overwhelmed by the grueling events.
Boorman's brilliant direction has triumphantly turned Dickey's acclaimed novel into a thrilling and inspired cinematic work and a landmark American film. Nominated for 3 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director: John Boorman, Best Film Editing: Tom Priestley.
Highly Recommended.
This review of Sadgati (1981) was written by Danny R on 23 Jul 2015.
Sadgati has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
