The Exorcist: Nearly 50 Years On

It’s nearly 50 years since The Exorcist first appeared in US cinemas. I recently had another look at it and the movie does seem to have aged quite well. In an age of CGI and mega budgets, The Exorcist still looks pretty good.

Here we take a closer look at the origins of the film and why it’s been such an iconic horror movie for so many years.

What is the plot of The Exorcist?

The Exorcist is a horror novel written by William Peter Blatty, published in 1971, and later adapted into a famous movie in 1973. The story revolves around the demonic possession of a 12-year-old girl named Regan MacNeil and the attempt to exorcise the demon by two priests.

The story takes place in Georgetown, Washington D.C. and begins with the introduction of the character Chris MacNeil, a famous actress, who is living with her daughter Regan in a rented house while shooting for a film. Regan starts to exhibit strange behavior, including changes in personality and violent outbursts. Medical tests fail to diagnose her condition, and she becomes progressively worse.

Chris, after exhausting all medical options, turns to a local priest named Father Damien Karras for help, who is also a trained psychiatrist. Karras initially dismisses the idea of demonic possession but later agrees to perform an exorcism on Regan after realizing that her behavior is beyond the realm of scientific explanation.

Karras, along with an experienced exorcist priest, Father Lankester Merrin, perform the exorcism ritual on Regan, but they face a series of terrifying challenges from the demon possessing her. The demon displays incredible strength and intelligence and attacks the priests, who struggle to keep Regan alive and drive the demon out.

The climax of the story involves Karras sacrificing himself to save Regan’s life by inviting the demon to possess his own body, allowing Merrin to complete the exorcism and drive the demon out of both Regan and Karras. The novel ends with Karras dying in the hospital, and Regan returning to her normal self.

Who wrote The Exorcist?

William Peter Blatty (January 7, 1928 – January 12, 2017) was an American writer and filmmaker. He was born and raised in New York City and attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Blatty was a devout Catholic and his religious beliefs often influenced his work.

Blatty began his writing career as a comedy writer, working on TV shows such as “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” and “The Facts of Life.” In 1971, he published his most famous novel, The Exorcist, which became a bestseller and a cultural phenomenon. The book was later adapted into a highly successful movie.

In addition to The Exorcist, Blatty wrote many other novels and screenplays, including:

• “Twinkle, Twinkle, ‘Killer’ Kane” (1966)
• “John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!” (1963)
• “I, Billy Shakespeare!” (1974)
• “Legion” (1983)
• “The Ninth Configuration” (1978)

Blatty’s work often explored themes of faith, religion, and the supernatural. He won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the movie adaptation of The Exorcist and was nominated for a Golden Globe for his work on “The Ninth Configuration.”

Blatty passed away in 2017 at the age of 89.

What was the reaction to the release of The Exorcist?

The novel The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty was first released in 1971, and it quickly became a cultural phenomenon. The book was a bestseller and received critical acclaim for its horror elements, literary quality, and exploration of religious themes.

The movie was a massive box office hit, grossing over $440 million worldwide, and was nominated for ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film was praised for its direction, acting, and special effects, but also faced criticism for its disturbing content.

The reaction to The Exorcist was mixed, with some people finding it to be a terrifying and thought-provoking work of horror, while others found it to be exploitative and offensive. Nevertheless, The Exorcist has since become a classic of the horror genre, and it continues to be celebrated for its impact on popular culture and its influence on the horror genre.

Where was The Exorcist banned?

“The Exorcist,” both the novel and the film adaptation, faced controversy and censorship in several countries due to its disturbing content and themes of demonic possession. Some of the countries where The Exorcist was banned or heavily censored include:

1. United Kingdom: The film was initially given an X-rating by the British Board of Film Classification, which meant that it could only be shown in adult-only cinemas. It was later banned from home video release until 1999.
2. Australia: The film was banned in several states in Australia upon its initial release in 1974, and it was not widely available until 1981.
3. South Africa: The film was banned in South Africa for its explicit content and themes.
4. Ireland: The film was banned in Ireland for several years due to its portrayal of demonic possession and exorcism.
5. Chile: The film was banned in Chile under the regime of Augusto Pinochet, who considered it to be a subversive influence.

Despite the controversy and censorship, The Exorcist remains a highly influential and celebrated work of horror, and it continues to be watched and discussed by audiences around the world.

Did the Exorcist receive any Oscar nominations?

The Exorcist received several nominations and awards, both for the novel and the movie adaptation.

The novel The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty won the 1972 Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel and the 1974 Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films Award for Best Horror Novel.

The movie adaptation of “The Exorcist,” directed by William Friedkin, was nominated for ten Academy Awards in 1974, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Art Direction, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Original Dramatic Score. The film won two Academy Awards: Best Adapted Screenplay for William Peter Blatty and Best Sound Mixing for Robert Knudson and Chris Newman.

Additionally, The Exorcist won the 1974 Golden Globe for Best Picture (Drama), Best Director for William Friedkin, and Best Supporting Actress for Linda Blair. It was also nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Film.

Who directed The Exorcist?

William Friedkin is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter who is best known for directing The French Connection (1971) and The Exorcist (1973). He was born on August 29, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois.

Friedkin and William Peter Blatty, the author of the novel The Exorcist and the screenwriter of its film adaptation, had a professional and creative relationship during the making of the movie. They both had a shared interest in exploring themes of religion, faith, and the supernatural, and they collaborated closely on the film’s production.

However, their working relationship was not always smooth. Friedkin was known for his intense and sometimes confrontational style of directing, which sometimes clashed with Blatty’s creative vision for the film. Nevertheless, the two men remained respectful of each other’s talents and contributions to the project.

In later years, Friedkin has spoken highly of Blatty’s writing and his contributions to “The Exorcist.” Blatty, who passed away in 2017, also spoke fondly of Friedkin in interviews, describing him as a talented and dedicated filmmaker.

Who wrote the score for The Exorcist?

The score for the movie The Exorcist was composed by the legendary American composer, pianist, and conductor, Michael Oldfield. Oldfield was born on May 15, 1953, in Reading, England, and he is best known for his innovative and influential work in the progressive rock and electronic music genres.

Oldfield’s score for The Exorcist was characterized by its eerie and haunting atmosphere, which perfectly captured the film’s themes of horror and demonic possession. The score featured a mix of orchestral and electronic elements, including the use of a tubular bell, which has since become closely associated with the movie.

The score was highly acclaimed and has since become iconic in its own right, with many people recognizing it instantly from the opening notes. Oldfield went on to compose scores for several other movies, including “The Killing Fields” (1984), “The Russia House” (1990), and “Voyager” (1991), among others.

Who were the main stars?

The main stars of the movie The Exorcist (1973) were:

1. Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil: Burstyn is an American actress who has appeared in numerous movies and TV shows throughout her career. She is a six-time Academy Award nominee and won the Best Actress Oscar for her role in “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” (1974). Some of her other notable films include “The Last Picture Show” (1971), “Requiem for a Dream” (2000), and “Interstellar” (2014).
2. Max von Sydow as Father Lankester Merrin: Von Sydow was a Swedish actor who appeared in over 100 movies throughout his career, including many films by the legendary director Ingmar Bergman. He also appeared in several Hollywood movies, including “The Seventh Seal” (1957), The Exorcist (1973), “Flash Gordon” (1980), and “Minority Report” (2002), among others.
3. Linda Blair as Regan MacNeil: Blair is an American actress who is best known for her role as Regan MacNeil in “The Exorcist.” She was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance in the movie. Blair went on to appear in several other movies, including “Airport 1975” (1974), “Savage Streets” (1984), and “Grotesque” (1988).
4. Jason Miller as Father Damien Karras: Miller was an American actor and playwright who was best known for his role as Father Karras in “The Exorcist.” He was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance in the movie. Miller also appeared in several other films, including “The Ninth Configuration” (1980), which he wrote and directed.

These actors had established their careers in the film industry before their roles in The Exorcist. Burstyn, von Sydow, and Miller were all seasoned actors who had appeared in several films and TV shows before this movie. Linda Blair, on the other hand, was a relatively new actress, with The Exorcist being her breakout role.

How is it perceived today as a classic of the horror genre?

The Exorcist is widely regarded as a classic of the horror genre and is considered one of the greatest horror movies of all time. The film’s impact on popular culture and the horror genre cannot be overstated, as it broke new ground in terms of its depiction of graphic violence, gore, and disturbing imagery.

Today, The Exorcist continues to be revered for its innovative storytelling, outstanding performances, and masterful direction. Its themes of religion, faith, and the battle between good and evil continue to resonate with audiences, and its iconic scenes and images have become a part of popular culture.

Despite being over 40 years old, The Exorcist remains relevant and continues to inspire and influence filmmakers and audiences alike. Its legacy has been felt in countless horror movies that have followed it, and it remains a benchmark for the genre in terms of its ability to shock and terrify audiences.

Why was Exorcist II: The Heretic such a bad film?

Exorcist II: The Heretic is widely regarded as a bad movie and was poorly received by both audiences and critics when it was released in 1977. There are several reasons why the movie failed to live up to the high standards set by the original Exorcist film:

1. Poor script: The movie’s script was widely criticized for being convoluted and confusing, with many plot points and ideas that were never fully developed or explained.
2. Weak direction: The movie was directed by John Boorman, who was a respected filmmaker but was not well-suited to the horror genre. Boorman’s approach to the material was overly stylized and lacked the gritty realism and tension of the original movie.
3. Mismatched tone: The movie’s tone was inconsistent, veering between horror, drama, and even science fiction. This made it difficult for audiences to engage with the story or characters.
4. Disappointing performances: While the movie featured a strong cast, including Linda Blair and Richard Burton, their performances were widely criticized as being wooden and uninspired.
5. Lack of scares: Ultimately, “Exorcist II: The Heretic” failed to deliver on the scares and shocks that audiences had come to expect from a horror movie, making it a disappointment for fans of the genre.

Overall, Exorcist II: The Heretic suffered from a combination of poor script, direction, and execution, which ultimately led to a film that was widely regarded as a critical and commercial failure.

I recently watched The Heretic on Prime after not seeing since its first release. It is bad. Truly, truly bad.

What’s your take on The Exorcist? Let us know in the comments section below.