This has definitely got to be on my DVD Christmas wish list, so that I can really appreciate the great sound track by Mike Oldfield, Tubular Bells. But it's not only that, this is one of those films that really is a classic made in an untraditional way and full of the realities of the time line on which it was made.
The story for this film was originally based on real events surrounding a young lad in Philadelphia, obviously in truth it must have been a real nightmare for the people involved, and is most likely very different to the way things are portrayed in both the film and book.
Getting back to this op, everything starts when a very young girl "Reagan", played by Linda Blair starts to have a series of nightmares, well at least that is what is thought. As time progresses the shrinks and doctors a brought in to try and resolve the problem, all to no avail. Eventually it is figured that the girl is possessed by a demon, the cause of which was initially fooling around with an ouija board.
After a short while Reagan begins to change in physical appearance as the demon begins to destroy her, at which point her mother seeks help from the church. As usual they don't want to know, but one priest in particular does take an interest and follows it all up. Once he has realised that the events taking place are real, he summons extra help from an aging, ailing priest who has had experience in these things, enter Max Von Sydow, who plays the part well as the exorcist.
All hell breaks lose as the exorcism gets underway with absolutely astounding acting from Ms Blair, I can't ever recall a child actor play a role so well. The fight for life goes on for quite some time with some very good special effects, but consider this. When it was made it was 1973, so the effects produced were really frightening in their day. In fact I can well remember people passing out and throwing up in my local cinema, this was the main reason it was banned. Compared to today's special effects it can't hold water, but for it's time was most likely the most horrific film made.
The story finally ends with the old priest dying under the strain of this powerful spiritual fight, and the younger priest (Damien) lashing out at the child screaming "Take me instead", It does and he gets up and throws himself out of the window, gets his last rite's and dies. A few days later the little girl is fine and remembers nothing but the white collar of a priest, at this point mum takes her away to forget all. It's truly an amazing film from the 70s era but I would advise not to watch if you do not like the idea of possession, or the use of a child with very disturbing, damning language & scenes. As i said it's not up to modern day special effects but in it's own rite, it's a classic.
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Production Year: 1977 - Horror - Director: John Boorman - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Ned Beatty, Richard Burton, Linda Blair, Louise Fletcher, Max Von Sydow, Kitty Winn, Paul Henreid, James Earl Jones
Production Year: 2001 - Horror - Director: Stephen Sommers - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Brendan Fraser, John Hannah, Rachel Weisz, Arnold Vosloo, Freddie Boath, Oded Fehr, The Rock, Tim Murdock
Excellent movie. Did scare the hell out of me when i watched it as a kid. Though its funny now, especially after watching Scary Movie. jedi_kickass ( ' _ ' )
niclemamy 27.03.2001 00:26
Hi,I have seen this once and had nightmares for months,lol!!Yes I am a bit of a scaredie cat but I did enjoy watching it through my fingers:)
Director William Friedkin was a hot ticket in Hollywood after the success ofThe French ... more
Connection, and he turned heads (in more ways than one) when he decided to makeThe Exorcistas his follow-up film. Adapted by William Peter Blatty from his controvers...
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Director William Friedkin was a hot ticket in Hollywood after the success ofThe French ... more
Connection, and he turned heads (in more ways than one) when he decided to makeThe Exorcistas his follow-up film. Adapted by William Peter Blatty from his controvers...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
The belief in evil - and that evil can be cast out. From these two strands of faith ... more
author William Peter Blatty and director William Friedkin wove The Exorcist the frightening and realistic story of an innocent girl inhabited by a malevolent entity....
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
The belief in evil - and that evil can be cast out. From these two strands of faith, ... more
author William Peter Blatty and director William Friedkin wove The Exorcist, the frightening and realistic story of an innocent girl inhabited by a malevolent entity. ...
Advantages: Great screenplay and caught Friedkin in his top form Disadvantages: remarks about the film that turn away patrons whether good or bad for its publicity
CrutcHead 06.05.2004 (07.05.2004)
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Review of The Exorcist (DVD)
![The Exorcist [DVD] [1974]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78547387.jpg "The Exorcist [DVD] [1974]")
Mar 26th, 2001
(Mar 27th, 2001)
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