![]() Max von Sydow's brother died on the actor's first day of shooting. ![]() Injuries, deaths, and freak events that occurred during and after filming add to the lore surrounding the movie and increase its fright factor.Ī lot of cast members were affected by "the curse." Ellen Burstyn suffered a spinal injury when she was yanked back by a harness during filming, leaving her on crutches for the rest of production. We feel shock, horror, nausea, fear, and some small measure of dogged hope." This imagery remains strong, and few movies have come to top it: it's what makes The Exorcist one of the most disturbing horror movies ever.Īlthough unrelated to Friedkin's movie-making prowess, since the movie's release, much has been made of The Exorcist curse. As film critic Roger Ebert said in his 1973 review of the film: "During the movie, there are no reservations, but only experiences. The Exorcist's on-screen depravity goes far beyond anything viewers consider morally acceptable, and this is what stays with them. Regardless, these graphic images add to the tension Friedkin was trying to create and work to dispel any disbelief viewers might have about the notion of evil. Upon its release, the film's graphic scenes caused a stir amongst moviegoers, critics, and the Catholic Church, who tried to have the movie banned. There is also the possessed Regan's use of obscene and graphic language. Infamous scenes include Regan urinating on the carpet in front of dinner guests, stabbing at her genitals with a crucifix, desecrating a statue of the Virgin Mary, and, of course, the head-spinning scene. It is surprising that, given the graphic imagery featured in The Exorcist, the movie did not receive an X rating. ![]() Impressed by Blair's understanding of the book's subject matter and her nonchalance when discussing some of the more graphic portions of it, Friedkin gave her the part. Friedkin made an excellent choice in picking Blair, as she was able to go toe-to-toe with her adult costars. As for Linda Blair, whose role as Regan McNeil ties the whole movie together, she was a total unknown at the time and was hired based on an interview she had with Friedkin. Instead, the cast that was selected provided a grounded atmosphere to the film, featuring the talents of Ellen Burstyn, Jason Miller, and Max von Sydow in those roles, respectively. If the film had gone down the route, it would have been a completely different picture. For example, Audrey Hepburn was considered to play Chris McNeil, Stacy Keach was initially signed on to play Father Karras, and Marlon Brando could have been in the role of Father Merrin. A lot of huge names from that era were considered. Wisely, when casting The Exorcist, Friedkin populated his movie with solid, believable actors instead of household names. When a big-name star is cast in a movie, oftentimes, viewers are unable to see past the celebrity to the character they're playing. But what is even more powerful is that, for the viewer, the inescapable evil depicted in The Exorcist has the potential to stay with them long after the movie ends. Friedkin's moralistic approach is a genius move and one that personally connects the viewer to the movie: no one is safe from demonic forces. For example, the question about whether the Ouija board Regan uses was the cause of her possession is never answered. Presented as the ultimate battle between good and evil, it asks its audience: are you right with God? The director's use of realism, underpinned by the premise that what happens to the 12-year-old Regan could happen to anyone, is what makes the movie truly unsettling. The Exorcist is more than a horror movie, it's a morality tale. The result was a movie that was fresh and new and did not rely on predictable horror movie tropes. Because neither Blatty nor Friedkin had tackled the horror genre before making The Exorcist - Friedkin had previously made documentaries - they opted for a realistic approach. Friedkin contrasts the mundanity of everyday American life with the life-altering demonic possession of a young girl while her mother and two priests try to save her: this only serves to increase The Exorcist's ability to terrify.
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