There are few films in Cinema history that have attracted as much publicity - both negative and positive- as The Exorcist. Originally released in 1973, such was the extreme content of this film that a video certification was not granted in the UK until many years later. Finally, on March 17th 2001 the film was screened on British terrestrial television for the first time since the film's release 28 years previously. Over the years, The Exorcist has established itself as the most influential and most frightening horror film ever to be made. Indeed, during the seventies and eighties, there were many tales of horrific events involving cast members and viewers - the suggestion being that this film was actually cursed.

The Exorcist is, without a doubt, an extremely disturbing film. The descent from innocent child to foul-mouthed demon is violent and explicit, and it comes as no surprise that this film shocked cinema audiences back in 1973. Regan is shown committing various indecent and horrific acts - she masturbates with a crucifix; violently attacks her mother; hurls obscenities at all those around her; and her face gradually becomes more and more horrifically scarred as the possession takes hold. Even by modern-day standards, the language in the film is truly shocking - I don't recall seeing any other film that used language as strong as that used in The Exorcist. The scenes are all the mores shocking because of who they involve - in many ways it seems quite disturbing that a 12 year old girl should have behaved in this manner, even as an actress.

Linda Blair's performance as the possessed child is startling competent. Despite her relative youth, Blair is completely believable and delivers a powerful - and genuinely frightening - performance. Ellen Burstyn's portrayal of Regan's mother is very believable - although her character is strong and independent, we gradually see her weaken and become desperate, as she is unable to grasp the events that transpire. Jason Miller plays Damien Karras - a quiet priest, who is assigned to do psychiatric work in the city. Troubled by his own mother's health, and frustrated by both his job and personal circumstances, Miller plays the role with great subtlety - it is his acceptance that Regan is actually possessed that provides the turning point in the whole film. Max Von Sydow is also excellent as the experienced - and yet troubled - priest who exorcises Regan.

It would be easy to compare the film with modern-day big budget epics, and certainly by the standards of special effects available today, this film would perhaps fare poorly against a modern-day counterpart. Regan's green projectile vomit is decidedly "Blue Peter" and few of the scenes were technically difficult. Nonetheless this film knows its limits and exudes an atmospheric quality that is rare in modern day films. I'm not sure that today's audiences would find this a particularly frightening film - but that is more an indictment of the mindless cinema churned out today, rather than a genuine criticism of this picture. It is worth remembering that back in 1973 the concept of a horror film was far removed from what we might expect in 2001. The Exorcist is a timeless classic - an example of just how engaging a real "horror" film can be.