Tags
1970's, Ellen Burstyn, Horror, Jason Miller, Lee J. Cobb, Linda Blair, Max Von Sydow, Supernatural Horror, The Exorcist, William Friedkin
Film Title
The Exorcist
Director
William Friedkin
Starring
- Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil
- Jason Miller as Father Karras
- Linda Blair as Regan MacNeil
- Lee J. Cobb as Lieutenant William Kinderman
- Max Von Sydow as Father Merrin
Still a supernatural horror classic that retains its sense of unease, building tension and creepy goings on, The Exorcist provides all the necessary chills along with a focus on themes of faith and religion to examine deeply. Equally disturbing and gruesome, The Exorcist is brought to life under the talented direction of William Friedkin and the exceptional playing of the cast.
Chris is a famous actress who is currently on location in Georgetown filming the last parts of a movie. Her amiable and devoted 12-year-old daughter Regan is with her and though Chris is busy, any time she gets free she so spends with her daughter. Yet strange things begin to slowly take shape after Regan plays with a Ouija board. She exhibits erratic behaviour, she swears constantly and becomes increasingly violent to those around her. Chris, obviously disturbed by all of this, takes her daughter to medical experts. Yet even after extensive tests are performed, there is no explanation for what is happening to Regan. Things get worse as her appearance continues to deteriorate and her violence increases into something very frightening. What no one knows or seems to able to fathom at this point is that Regan is possessed by a demon which takes ever more control of her day by day. A distraught Chris is at the end of her rope as she tries to save her daughter from the horror she is subjected to. As a last resort, she enlists the help of Father Damian Karras, a priest who also has a degree in psychiatry. He himself is going through a crisis of faith as he reels from guilt over his mother’s death and how he wished he had been there for her more. He comes to investigate the case( after having already spoken to Lieutenant William Kinderman , who is himself looking into the strange events after the death of someone close to the family) and is shocked by his findings, as it becomes very clear that a demon has taken residence within the young girl. He considers exorcism to be a last resort, yet when is other ways of getting the demon out fail, he knows that an exorcism is what is needed. The fact is that the faith of Karras is under threat anyway so he knows that he will need to employ the expertise of someone whose faith and will is stronger than his. That person is Father Merrin, who has dealt with exorcism in the past and despite getting on in age, is strong when it comes to doing battle with evil forces. Yet could this case of possession be a step too far for Father Merrin? Whatever the case, it’s going to take every ounce of strength within both men to drive this demon out.
I think many people tend to focus on the graphic and gruesome parts of The Exorcist, forgetting that the build up as orchestrated by Friedkin is actually just as effective. He cranks up the tension in the early stretches as the behaviour of Regan changes, yet doesn’t rush anything. This may surprise many who may have not seen the film and believe it is a scare a minute movie. If anything the scares of The Exorcist are generated by the pain of the characters as well as the horror that colours the second half of the movie. Friedkin’s work is utterly marvellous in the ways it taps into deep fears of loss of faith and the safety of a child, observed best in the pursuit of Chris to save her daughter and the two priests doing everything they can to reclaim her soul from the clutches of evil. Without the arresting direction and measured build up from Friedkin, The Exorcist would have nowhere near the amount of creepy impact it has. By slowly suggesting the horror that will come, when in the last act it lets loose it is damn terrifying to witness. And like with any film of a certain age some of the special effects lessen, The Exorcist surprisingly still stands up in that department; mainly because there is the story underneath it all to back up the gory and malevolent spirit of the piece. And memorable scenes are found in abundance throughout the running of The Exorcist. Regan’s transformation into a foul-mouthed demon that is scarred and vomit’s bile, the arrival of Father Merrin displayed as a lone light casts his shadow on the house where he must confront evil and the climactic exorcism that will no doubt give you shudders of terror. I could go on listing the iconic moments of the film, but then this review would become boring. The use of sound in this film is pretty marvellous, with an ambient atmosphere crafted from the humming but ominous music.
With the script allowing us to get know the characters throughout, the actors present do a commendable job in their respective roles. Ellen Burstyn is marvellous in the part of the terrified mother trying to save her daughter from the darkness. Burstyn delves deep into the pain and shock of the character with intelligence, that helps transfer her maternal fears for her daughter on to the audience in the process. Jason Miller brings a sadness and pathos to Father Karras, who has to face emotional and quite literal demons as his faith comes under fire in the increasing horror of the situation. Then of course there is Linda Blair as the initially friendly Regan whose personality morphs into unspeakable evil when she’s possessed. Largely covered in grotesque make up and confined to a bed for most of the performance, Blair considering how young she was at the time really gives a startling performance of frightening intensity. Part of why it’s so effective is how Blair shows the cherubic niceness of Regan in the beginning that is warm and sweet, then once possessed a force of physical and psychological terror. It really adds a lot to the performance and makes the film in general a great deal more terrifying. Lee J. Cobb plays the part of the wily detective investigating the goings on when murder strikes and he does so with an observational quality and sprinkle of humour. And then there is Max Von Sydow as the eponymous exorcist. His role is a small but incredibly pivotal one that he infuses with dignity and wisdom even as his beliefs are tested by the demon in front of him.
A macabre and deeply unsettling horror film, it’s not hard to discern why The Exorcist is held in such high regard. It simply is a creepy exercise in shocking terror that doesn’t forget the characters and has enough food for thought to last a long time.
Cici said:
Hey Sir Vinnie.
Amazing review as always! Is it weird that I have never watched this movie given how much I love Horror movies? Might give it a shot now after this review but maybe after a few weeks am still suffering the after effects of watching Green Inferno! 😛
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vinnieh said:
I wouldn’t say it’s weird. I took me a long time to get round to watching this. But definitely give it a shot.
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beetleypete said:
You are right to say that most focus on the special effects and the graphic and gruesome parts. However, I was 21 when I went to see this, and there really had been little to compare before that. My then girlfriend hid under my jacket for most of the film, and others screamed in the cinema, or left in tears, such was the impact.
For me, it was mainly because the acting talents of the wonderful Burstyn, Lee J. Cobb, and the rest, (not forgetting a memorable Linda Blair) made it seem so real. Nobody laughed in the cinema, not once. Everyone took it very seriously. And every time they walked towards the door of her room, I thought ‘what next?’
Ellen Burstyn is the mega-star that was never really acclaimed as such by the media. A wonderful actress, who won an Oscar, a Bafta, and many other awards, but seems to have been otherwise sidelined in terms of fame. I just watched this, from the TV, and might review it. She was spellbinding.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0180093/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Cheers mate, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
I bet seeing it in the cinema at the time was a really shocking experience. I love Ellen Burstyn, she really is a major talent. I think sometimes she’s unfairly overlooked because she isn’t really in the public eye as a major celebrity. You only hear of her when she’s in a film. Which seems unfair because she is a fantastic actress with depth.
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vanbytheriver said:
I saw it on the big screen. No movie, before or since, terrorized me quite like this one. I grew up in Catholic school. Demonic possession was not a theory, it was a very real threat. This was well done. I still can’t watch it, even today.
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vinnieh said:
I wish I was around when the film first came out. Seeing it on the big screen would have been so creepy and atmospheric. I can see why this movie would have an impact on you if you grew up in a Catholic school.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
To this day The Exorcist is one of the scariest movies I’ve ever seen. A true classic!
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vinnieh said:
I would concur with that opinion Kim, terrifying stuff.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
And I can’t eat pea soup to this day!😱
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vinnieh said:
Haha, I can understand why. Gives me the creeps just thinking about it.
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Martin: Through the Silver Screen said:
Hi Vinnieh mate, I have nominated you for a Sunshine Blogger Award! https://throughthesilverscreen.com/2016/08/18/first-sunshine-blogger-award/
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vinnieh said:
Thanks so much Martin. Sorry I haven’t been on your blog a lot.
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Parlor of Horror said:
There was such a great build up of storyline and getting involved with the personal lives of the characters that there was no way not to be scared for them in the end. I think younger generations just look for the ‘horror’ part of the story and are not so much interested in character storylines. They don’t feel the film is all that scary.
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vinnieh said:
I must be an exception to that young rule then as I am a huge fan of films that build the characters and give us chance to know them before the horror begins. This movie achieved that in spades.
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filmsCine said:
This film gives me the heebie jeebies big time. The original trailer also scares the devil out of me (heh, get it?)
Great review, and absolutely spot on!
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vinnieh said:
I think everyone who has seen the film can relate to that feeling. Like what you did there with the devil pun.
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Jay said:
This was re-released in theatres some time ago and I have never embarrassed myself more at the movies.
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vinnieh said:
I’d love to see it in cinemas. How did you embarrass yourself?
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michael9murray said:
This last week there was a longer director’s-cut type version on the Horror Channel. I had not seen a lot of it (and remember less).
Great write-up!
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vinnieh said:
I’ll have to take a look at the director’s cut.
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michael9murray said:
I have to be honest here: it was on a little late, and… we went to bed about 1/2 way in (No bad dreams either).
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fragglerocking said:
guess who hasn’t seen it
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vinnieh said:
You have to change that.
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kmSalvatore said:
i cant believe youve never seen this Fraggy ???go rent it
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fragglerocking said:
haha I’m a scaredy cat 🙂
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kmSalvatore said:
Oh Fraggy it is the best!! I don’t usually go in for this kind of stuff , maybe it’s be cuz I saw it so long ago , but it’s so good , and well maybe my Catholic upbringing had something to do with it 😂
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badblokebob said:
This is one of those movies it’s ridiculous I still haven’t got round to seeing! But then I guess we all have those.
Interesting to read your review though, because the only photos/clips you ever really see emphasise the make-up/gore/etc. I had no idea there was so much build-up before that stuff.
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vinnieh said:
I hope you get to the film. Too many people focus on the gore when the build up is equally as effective. Without it, the film wouldn’t have the same horrifying impact.
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badblokebob said:
Yeah, films which are only gore are pretty empty.
What amazes me is that in all my years of reading about film, I’ve never come across another piece on The Exorcist that made me think, “oh, it’s not just about the possession & special effects!” Weird.
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vinnieh said:
I’m happy to be the first to comment on something else bar the effects. People need to remember that the film has a lot more going for it than just that.
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ninvoid99 said:
I haven’t seen it as it’s a Blind Spot that I will watch in October.
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vinnieh said:
Look forward to seeing what you think of it.
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John Charet said:
Great review 🙂 This film along with Sorcerer and The French Connection represent director William Friedkin at his absolute best. Some of his later work was very good (To Live and Die in L.A. Bug and Killer Joe), but the 70’s was him in peak form. Nevertheless, I do love some of his television work (he guest directed an episode of Tales from the Crypt-one of my all-time favorite shows). Anyway, keep up the great work as always 🙂
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vinnieh said:
He really knows his way around the camera and to bring out so much in the film’s he directs. Thanks for your comments.
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keepsmealive said:
“a creepy exercise in shocking terror that doesn’t forget the characters and has enough food for thought to last a long time.”
Nailed it!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, I was particularly happy with that sentence.
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Eddy Winko said:
I was around thirteen years old when I saw this, on Betamax at the Hutchison’s (the only people I knew who had a VCR). I can still remember the 100 yard walk back home on a cold dark evening, a single street light guiding my way, the walk up the steps to go to bed was the slowest and most nerve racking of my life.
I haven’t seen it since and probably never will, reading your review was enough to bring back the fear!
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vinnieh said:
From reading all the comments, it appears that the film still holds that creepy factor. Watching it back, it held up so well for me and once more gave me chills.
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sweetarchive said:
Did you ever watch the longer version? 3 hours of Horror. They were smart to shorten it as there are many unnecessary bits in the longer feature. Does Regan spiderwalk in the short one? Can’t remember… Greatly written as always, Vinnie.
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vinnieh said:
I wasn’t aware there was a longer version. The version I watched did include that creepy spider walk.
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sweetarchive said:
Yep. The uncut version.
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vinnieh said:
I’ll try and get my hands on it.
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Rincewind said:
It’s a classic for a reason, it’s a beautiful buildup of suspense.
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vinnieh said:
You gotta love the build up. So much tension oozes from the film before the ultimate horror takes hold.
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kmSalvatore said:
wow, talk about classic, first i cant believe my buddy fraggy has never seen this??? we DO still watch this when ever it comes on.
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vinnieh said:
It’s a major classic in the horror genre. You can see how it has influenced so many other movies.
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kmSalvatore said:
Yep, you sure can , and this is one of the best
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vinnieh said:
It most certainly ranks highly.
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ruth said:
Still the most terrifying thing I’ve ever seen! I remember seeing this in college and I asked my then boyfriend (now my husband) to sleep in the couch in the living room as I didn’t want to be alone in the apartment!!
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vinnieh said:
I can see why you were so terrified, this movie is the stuff of nightmares. It taps in to a lot of different fears and makes them all so malevolent.
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ruth said:
Indeed Vinnie! Btw, I nominated you for a Sunshine Blogger Award http://wp.me/pxXPC-b8o 🙂
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vinnieh said:
Thank you Ruth, I’ll be over to check that post out soon.
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renxkyoko said:
Read the book, and have watched the movie maybe a dozen times. ( we have a dvd copy ) To me, what makes this really scary is that the characters are very soft – spoken. I;m watching it again on Netflix, halfway through.
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vinnieh said:
I’m thinking of watching it again now.
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emmakwall said:
Absolutely great review Vinnie! Arguably the best horror film ever made…
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vinnieh said:
It has to be up there with the most influential.
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abbiosbiston said:
I’ve only watched this once because it scared the shit out of me.
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vinnieh said:
It’s been known to have that sort of impact on people.
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Mike Senczyszak said:
I saw this in theatres on its re-release (around 1978), I was 15 (fake ID). Terrifying, I spent half the film staring at the floor. Excellent review!
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vinnieh said:
I can imagine being in the dark of the cinema, something like this would have been pretty frightening.
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Mike Senczyszak said:
Nothing like it back in the day. Publicity at the time talked about attendees throwing up in the washrooms and stern warnings for people with heart conditions not to see the movie. A publicist’s dream.
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vinnieh said:
Wow, you never get publicity like that nowadays.
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