I'm a historic member of ciao with a few reviews to my name and I haven't left yet, like many of the...
I'm a historic member of ciao with a few reviews to my name and I haven't left yet, like many of the old guard... I like all sorts of things including: games, reading, writing, guitar, and lots of other things...
Drop me a line...
Member since:07.01.2001
Reviews:65
Members who trust:32
The Exorcist. The mere name stirs the mind into a multitude of thoughts, because of it's famous nature. Controversy, fear, mis-understanding, satanism, dark side, bleak, Anti-Catholic. All of these words are linked to this single, powerful piece of film.
PLOT AND THEMES The basic movie itself on it's most aesthetic level is very very easy to follow. A priest unearths an ancient evil, which escapes to possess a young girl, whose relative was at the dig. This evil spirit does untold damage to the body of the girl, and the mind of her mother, before an eventual exorcism is called. This exorcism takes up about a 1/5 of the film itself. For those of you who haven't seen it, I won't give much more away.
ITS CONTROVERSY/MISUNDERSTOOD NATURE The whole reason for the famous (or infamous) nature of this film was its depth. It is not about a single exorcism, of a girl in the 1970's. The point of it's controversy stemmed from two things. The first was that this movie was meant to be brimming with an 'evil power'. This power was what drove people to run from the film, vomit in the cinema, and a (not proven) suicide at the time.
The biggest point of this movie is that all of that is completely wrong. The director of the film did not want to instill an evil power, but demonstrate the eternal struggle of good forces against evil. Of how evil uses deception and violence, yet still good will prevail. Even those lacking in faith will realise that they too have power to overcome such evil.
THE HORROR The horror of this film works on a number of levels, from the well researched use of the ouija board, to the fact that it is a little girl making the whole scenario more disturbing. I believe that this movie should only be watched by those of age, as whatever you think of the film it is powerful. If you are willing to suspend your belief, and not mock what is an older movie, then the true sense of such a grandiose moment in cinema truly hits.
OVERALL I apologise if anything has been given away plot wise, but I intended to shed a little light on why this movie has resurfaced over recent months. If you are a movie buff, particularly a horror buff, then this must be scene. Preferably in DVD format, with surround sound. The film has aged well, and at it's base level it's horror still exists.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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
Production Year: 2001 - Horror - Director: Dario Argento - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Max Von Sydow, Stefano Dionisi, Chiara Caselli, Gabriele Lavia
One of my Top Ten Scariest! I gave you a VH because this was such a good in-depth look at the film and both the motivations behind it and the feelings it evokes. Although, sticklers may feel a bit better if you would include a cast list and a release date. Wishing You Laughter, Q
father_jack 18.09.2001 20:49
I must admit to having slept through the Exorcist 3 times- and not being a big fan. However, maybe I'll give it another chance, great, well-written op.
Also, my 100th rating- you're honoured. :-)
Weez 17.09.2001 18:06
Ugh!! I hate this film but you have managed to make it sound good!! It isn't easy writing ops on films but you have pulled this one off really well without giving too much of the film away!! Congrats!!
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: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
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)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Exorcist (DVD)
![The Exorcist [DVD] [1974]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78547387.jpg "The Exorcist [DVD] [1974]")
Apr 2nd, 2001
(Sep 6th, 2001)
very helpful by (98%):
helpful by (2%):
