Directed by William Friedkin (Rules of Engagement)
Music by Mike Oldfield (Tubular Bells/Omadawn)
Characters
Regan MacNiel - Linda Blair Regan is a 12 year old little girl living with her mother in Washington. She is very kind and friendly with her mum. However, Satan possesses her. The role is played very well for someone so young; it is the lead role, however she doesn’t really have to do much. Linda Blair has done many features on TV and radio and also appeared in Scream since the Exorcist.
Father Lankester Merrin - Max Von Sydow (Judge Dredd) Father Lankester Merrin is the King of exorcisms, he comes into the film later to help Karras. He has done hundreds of exorcisms before but has never seen anything as evil as what he sees in Regan (obviously)
Cris MacNiel - Ellen Burstyn Cris is Regan's mother and friend. Her husband died several years ago, but she is currently dating. Her role in the Exorcist is to worry a lot (you would in her situation) and criticise physiatrists for mis-diagnosing her daughter.
Father Damien Karras - Jason Miller Father Damien Karras is currently questioning his own faith in God (partly due to his mother's terminal illness) when he hears about Regan. However, the whole series of events strengthens his faith. He has a couple of very angry confrontations with Satan and is possibly the main character.
Story
Regan is a normal 12-year-old girl in Washington living with her mother and generally enjoying life carefree. One day, after playing with a ouja board, her life changes for the worst. She becomes possessed by the devil, although this isn't clear at first to doctors and hr mother. She starts to display more and more abnormal behaviour including; levitation, increased strength, talking backwards, (the famous spider-walk), and constant swearing. Regan's mum, Cris, gets worried for her daughter's safety and calls in a priest, Karras. He has problems dealing with Satan, this is compounded by his difficulties in keeping his faith strong.
Karras gets very concerned for Regan so calls in the expert in such matters - Lankester Merrin. So, the story continues and the two priests and Cris fight to save Regan.
The Verdict
Possibly, the best horror movie ever. It was way ahead of its time and was banned in several countries due to its demonic nature.
Pros and Cons
Pros - Special effects amazing - Arguably the best soundtrack ever - Great acting - Superb film - One of the few movies that are actually scary - What a plot!
Cons - Anti-Catholic? - Sacrilegious - Possibly cursed - Not scary anymore (put it all down to computers)
Other Stuff
• Released on December 26th 1973
• http://theexorcist.warnerbros.com/
• The spider walk was omitted from some versions of the exorcist but is still strongly associated with the film
• There have been two sequels and a 'Making Off' and a prequel is planned
Happy Halloween!
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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: 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
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)
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Review of The Exorcist (DVD)
![The Exorcist [DVD] [1974]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78547387.jpg "The Exorcist [DVD] [1974]")
Oct 31st, 2001
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