It's one of those movies that stuck with me from childhood because it was truly frightening! The story follows several people from the city who choose to canoe down the Cahulawassee river before it’s flooded to create a large reservoir. When the four men arrive at the remote town where their trip begins, they encounter a community seemingly untouched by modern advancements and one with a limited gene pool, noticeably less diverse than the river itself. "Drew" (Ronny Cox) plays his guitar, which prompts a response from a local boy named "Lonnie" (Billy Redden), and for about four minutes, “Duelling Banjos” showcases an impressive level of coordination as they create an instantly recognizable tune. Then they set off, and a dangerous game of chase with the locals begins. They find themselves being pursued, and "Ed" (Jon Voight), "Lewis" (Burt Reynolds), and particularly "Bobby" (Ned Beatty) are not ready for the reception awaiting them from a cleverly violent group that views them as prey. With the river flowing quickly and the landscape favoring their pursuers, it becomes a fight to survive – and just what will these men be forced to do? It’s a narrative about strength, and this group of actors each contributes unique skills as their characters confront their deepest fears. The cinematography is flawless, and combined with the minimal, increasingly raw and anxious dialogue, it maintains the intensity of the danger they face without any clear indication of how things will end. Even now, more than fifty years later, it remains a disturbing film – but one that’s definitely worth seeing.

Source on TMDB