Deliverance is a 1972 movie set in the Appalachian trails starring Burt Reynolds and Jon Voight. In that movie, Reynolds plays Lewis Medlock, a fan of the outdoors who goes on a canoe trip on the Cahulawassee River with his buddies. As it turns out, their camping trip goes awry. This movie, directed by John Boorman, is a classic because it crudely depicts how nasty the wilderness can become.
With ghastly tones of horror and very good cinematographers and performers, Boorman and his crew put together a story that will put you on the edge of your seat, and if you haven’t seen it, then the phrase “squeal like a pig” might not give your the chills. And if you have, you know exactly where we’re coming from. So, without any further ado, let’s take about the Deliverance ending explained.
This is a spooky movie!
Deliverance Plot Explained
Lewis Medlock, Bobby Trippe, Ed Gentry, and Drew Ballinger, four businessmen from Atlanta, decide to canoe down a river in the wilds of northern Georgia before it is dammed. Lewis, a seasoned outdoorsman, leads the group; Ed, a close friend, has been on several outings but lacks Lewis’ machismo; Bobby and Drew are newbies. The men are rude to the locals as they travel to their launch site (Bobby in particular), who are unimpressed by the “city boys.” At a nearby gas station, Drew challenges a young boy playing the banjo to a musical duel with his guitar (“Dueling Banjos”). Both parties enjoy the duel, and some locals start dancing when it starts. When Drew asks the boy for a handshake of congratulations, he ignores him.
Squeal Like A Pig
The two canoes of the four friends are split up as they paddle in pairs. After landing, Ed and Bobby come across two mountain men coming out of the woods, one carrying a shotgun and missing two front teeth. After a verbal argument, the men make Bobby take off his clothes. While Ed is tied up to a tree and being threatened with a gun, the unarmed man sodomizes Bobby and commands him to “squeal like a pig.” Ed is about to be sexually assaulted when Lewis approaches and kills the rapist with his bow and arrow. Ed takes the gun back, and the remaining mountain man runs into the woods. After a quick but heated argument between Lewis and Drew, Ed and Bobby decide to support Lewis’s proposal to bury the body and carry on as normal. The four paddlers reach a treacherous section of rapids as they continue downstream. In the lead canoe, Drew and Ed arrive at the rapids. Suddenly, Drew shakes his head and plunges headfirst into the water.
Burt Reynolds & Jon Voight in Deliverance
Canoe Ride
Deliverance Trailer
Deliverance Ending Explained
Drew, portrayed by Ronny Cox, is the final character to perish during the canoe trip. According to Lewis, drew was allegedly shot out of the canoe, played by Burt Reynolds. But when Ed (Jon Voight) discovers his body further down the river, it is obvious that he committed suicide by drowning because it has no deep wounds.
Lewis exits the canoe awkwardly, breaking his leg severely. While firing another arrow at a hillbilly, Ed was wounded when an arrow went through his rib. Bobby (Ned Beatty) emerges unscathed in the meantime. Lewis remains at the hospital while Bobby and Ed part ways and return to their families. Ed awakens from a nightmare in which he sees a hand emerging from the lake in the final scene. He is quieted by his wife, who tells him to calm down and go back to sleep.
History manga isn’t always about bloodshed, betrayal, and all-out wars. Sometimes it follows a lighter storyline like wholesome love stories, thereby once again showing that the concept of love’ has been perennial throughout the pages of history.
Moreover, historical romance isn’t something that you will come across every day. So, it’s better to grab the opportunity when you find one. Here, we bring you a list of 10 historical manga you shouldn’t miss.
We often get tired of exploring either slice-of-life or fantasy stories. Thus, historical manga can be a break from conventional storylines, lying somewhat between daily life and fantasy.
Not to mention that learning how human nature, customs, mindset, and values have changed over the centuries is nothing less than a treat.
10. Sayonara Rose Garden
‘Short, sharp, and sweet’ is the best p hrase I can think of to describe Pepako Dokuta’s Sayonara Rose Garden manga.
With only three volumes having 18 chapters, it’s one of the best historical romance manga released in recent years. It follows Hanako, a budding author who flees to England to follow her dream.
However, this impulsive expedition turns out to be her worst nightmare after getting belittled and rejected by her dream publishing company.
Sayonara Rose Garden
Shattered by this incident, Hanako loses all her hopes of succeeding. She bumps into Alice Douglas, a noblewoman kind enough to take her in as her maid.
Hanako starts to enjoy working, and despite their social differences, their bond grows stronger. One fateful day, Alice asks Hanako to kill her in return for her deepest desire.
Why is the English woman seeking death so desperately? Find that out yourself by reading the manga.
9. Snow White with the Red Hair
Don’t be deceived by the name; it has nothing as straightforward as the one we read in childhood. Here, the protagonist is cheerful, diligent, brave, and unlike the original Snow White, she is red-haired.
Her ordinary life of being a herbalist turns down when the evil of Tanbarun forces her to become his concubine. Instead of compromising her career, gallant Shirayuki escapes to the forest, where Prince Zen Wistalia.
Snow White with the Red Hair
Indebted and impressed by Zen’s act of kindness, Shirayuki agrees to become the court herbalist of Zen’s country. Thus, Shirayuki’s new life mostly occurs in the Royal Court of Clarines.
Soo, Shigaraki, and Zen become very good friends, totally unaware of the romantic relationship gradually nurturing between them. The Prince talks to Shiirayuki about her endeavors, and she vows to support him in every situation.
8. Kaze Hikaru
Kaze Hikaru is the best option if you are searching for a historical romance manga that has been airing for decades and is still ongoing.
The manga takes us to the famous Bakumatsu revolution, an event that marked the end of the Tokugawa era and the beginning of the Meiji era.
Amidst all the bloodshed, a young girl named Sei Tominaga is thriving with the sole purpose of avenging her dead parents.
She gets herself disguised as a boy and joins the organization Shinsengumi. The manga is full of historical events, politics, thrill, and lots and lots of romance.
Kaze Hikaru
7. Hakushaku to Yousei
Hakushaku to Yousei is a manga in which history blends with fantasy. Although the events are from the 18th century, the manga is set in a world where fairies exist.
Lydia Carlton, the protagonist, is the only doctor around who can interact with fairs. Being one of the hand-picked people who can see fairies, no one believes in her words.
Hakushaku to Yousei
On the other hand, Edgar is desperately searching for someone with vast knowledge of fairy lore, and it seems Lyda is the person he needs. Edgar claims to be the Blue Knight’s Earl and becomes the first person to recognize Lyda’s skills.
However, there’s more to it. Lyda discovers Earl has been hiding some deep secrets behind his noble mask. Does that mean their romantic relationship is just a part of a treacherous plan?
6. Tsuki no Shippo
We are already done with noblewomen, Earl, samurai, and herbalists, and now it’s time to take you to the story of a ninja village from the pages of Japanese history.
Despite being the granddaughter of a famous ninja family, Usagi is a complete failure. Her condition is so hopeless that she never made it out of the kiddie class even with her best efforts.
Tsuki no Shippo
Disappointed by Usagi, her grandfather sends her to marry Lord Hanzo and make many ninja babies with him. Like a typical family head from that period, he didn’t even think about Usagi’s opinion, thereby enforcing his opinion on her.
Thankfully, Lord Hanzo has absolutely no interest in her child-bearing potential and is keener to explore her as a person.
5. Versailles no Bara
I placed this manga so high up on this list because it paved the way for the Shoujo genre to blossom in the upcoming days.
Moreover, the manga somewhat revolves around one of the most notable events of human history. Yes, you guessed it right. I am talking about the French Revolution.
Back then, marriages were a means to strengthen a country’s political occasion. On one such occasion, Austrian Princess Marie Antoinette is sent to marry French Prince Louis XVI. Despite the political benefits, she is pretty dissatisfied with the fate decided upon her.
Versailles no Bara
After arriving in the country, she gets acquainted with Oscar Fançois de Jarjayes, the commander of the Royal Guard.
H er family’s strong desire to have a son has raised her like a boy. Tired of masquerading as a man, she gradually falls in love with Marie.
4. Kanata Kara
Katana Kara is my personal favorite among all the historical romance manga. The story falls on the romantic events of teen Noriko, who gets skied into a historical timeline.
An isekai anime with history elements in it, what more can you ask of? Noriko’s new journey isn’t easy, and she keeps running into trouble till a handsome nobleman, Izark, saves her, becoming her guardian angel.
Izark teaches Noriko to explore her powers and reveals to her their history together. The two pair up and becomes a formidable duo, ready to face any obstacle.
Kanata Kara
3. Rurouni Kenshin
No matter how hard rock is, a stream of water can wear it out over the years. We, the humans, are equally vulnerable to change. Who knows it better than Rurouni Kenshin’s protagonist, Hitokiri Battousai?
The legendary assassin of the Bakumatsu era was a nightmare even for the most skilled sworders. The merciless murderer was undefeatable and disappeared from the crime world at the peak of the Japanese Revolution.
Rurouni Kenshin
After ten peaceful years of no signs of Hitokiri, it is revealed he has completely given up on his bloodstained ways. He lives a simple life under his new alias of Kenshin Himura in a village.
One day, he bumps into Kaoru Kamiya, who is threatened by some imposter claiming to be Hitokiri. Following his vow not to kill someone ever again, he decides to help her in a non-violent way. You can call this a historical version of ‘Ways of the Household’ or ‘Sakamoto Days.
2. Yona of the Dawn
Yona of the Dawn is another example of a good manga where the mythical and the historical elements mix with a proper balance.
Although it’s set in a world filled with dragons, goblins, and whatnot, the story portrays political elements identical to human history.
Yona, the protagonist, is destined to become the heir of the Kouka kingdom. However, the sky falls upon him when her father gets brutally murdered by her cousin.
Yona of the Dawn
With no one to trust in this treacherous environment, Yona prioritizes her safety and flees from the kingdom with her bodyguard. She learns that the only way to restore the kingdom is by getting help from the four legendary Dragon warriors.
1. Inuyasha
I don’t think I have to explain why this historical romance manga is at the top. It is a classic franchise that has been a fan favorite for generations.
It follows Kagome, a high school student, who gets transported to a new world through an old well. The world we are talking about is somewhat based on ancient Japan but is populated with demons and evil beings.
Inuyasha
Kagome finds herself constantly haunted by demons. Thankfully, she comes across a half-demon boy, Inuyasha, who agrees to protect her.
Well, initially, Inuyasha had a disliking over Kagome because of her uncanny similarities with Kikyou. However, Inuyasha gradually realizes their circumstances, and he lends her a helping hand.
Honorable Mention
I Can’t Do That With My Former Student
