Time To Spin Your Head Around For the Greatest Horror Film Of All Time – “The Exorcist”!
My year long look at the greatest decade for cinema – the 70’s – tears into Halloween season with simply put, one of the greatest achievements in cinema, and the scariest film of all time, thanks to brilliant Director William Friedkin!
It all began with one of the creepiest and most iconic images on a movie poster – hinting at what was ahead once you entered THAT house…this movie was a phenomenon when it was released, for good reason!
In 1973, “The Exorcist” shocked American moviegoers with its intense horror. It was based on a novel that was also phenomenon, and tells the story of 12-year old Regan, a quiet girl who begins to show some strange symptoms. The film creates a sense of dread over the first hour that then turns shocking – then never lets up for the rest of the movie!
Here is the original trailer, which does a great job of setting up the horror without giving any of it away:
If you haven’t seen this iconic horror film yet – I am about to share some of those shocking moments from the film…understand?
Ok, then let’s have young Regan greet you as you enter – oh don’t worry, she doesn’t have to move much – just her head:
That is just one of the shocking moments from this movie!
Director William Friedkin made “The Exorcist” in 1973, just two years after he won the Oscar for Best Picture for “The French Connection”…he was a Director at the top of his game, and this film actually caused audience members to faint – that’s right, the media was having a field day with stories of audience members fainting or running out of the theater in shock!
“The Exorcist” was nominated for Best Picture of 1973 – and was a box office sensation. Ellyn Burstyn and Max Von Sydow star in the film, but the real star was a young girl who made a stunning movie debut:
Introducing Linda Blair!
Linda Blair was perfect as the young, angelic Regan – a quiet girl who begins to act strangely – her innocence in the early scenes is what makes what happens next in the film all the more shocking:
A Special Effects Roller Coaster!
“The Exorcist” included some of the most unique special effects ever seen. After some early scenes, things quickly spiral out of control:
Regan MacNeil: “My bed was shaking. I can’t get to sleep.”
That leads to the arrival of Father Damien, who has a talk with his evil adversary:
Demon: What an excellent day for an exorcism.
Father Damien Karras: You would like that?
Demon: Intensely.
Father Damien Karras: But wouldn’t that drive you out of Regan?
Demon: It would bring us together.
Father Damien Karras: You and Regan?
Demon: You and us.
A Cold, Cold Set!
Here is some great trivia about the making of the film. The refrigerated bedroom set was cooled with four air conditioners and temperatures would plunge to around 30 to 40 below zero. It was so cold that perspiration would freeze on some of the cast and crew. On one occasion the air was saturated with moisture resulting in a thin layer of snow falling on the set before the crew arrived for filming.
“The Exorcist’s” Iconic Dialogue!
The film is filled with legendary shocking moments, like when Regan “turns” to greet Father Karras:
This is one of the classic visual images from the film, which also has some iconic movie dialogue, like this:
Demon: “Your mother sucks cocks in Hell, Karras, you faithless slime!”
This film is so intense and scary that the original teaser trailer, which consisted of nothing but images of the white-faced demon quickly flashing in and out of darkness, was banned in many theaters, as it was deemed “too frightening”.
Cue The “Pea Soup!”
And then of course, there is the projectile vomiting scene!
The substance that the possessed Regan (Linda Blair) hurls at Father Damien Karras (Jason Miller) is thick pea soup. Specifically, it’s Andersen’s brand pea soup. The crew tried Campbell’s but didn’t like the “effect.”
Tons of great stories and commentaries on the special edition blu-ray….check it out and relive a classic slice of 70’s cinema!
By the way, I shared an homage to the Director, who died recently…he had an amazing career in cinema…see some of his greatest films here:
As we go through the month of October, I will share more of my favorite horror films, like this classic:
Also a great 70’s film, this introduced us to Actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who does a great job fighting off an unseen horror…click here for a look at the original “Halloween” and some more great scary movies for Shocktober!
So, there are some of my favorite “go to” scary movies for this Halloween season – and if you want to keep that scary vibe alive all month long, here’s an idea:
Yes, you can own this wild Pennywise “IT” clown door mat!
Click here to see more!
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Categories: 70's Cinema, Academy Awards, Action Films, Art, Awards, Cult Movies, Great Films, Halloween, Horror films, Movies, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
Ooh, I don’t think I’d want to see this film. I don’t like video nasties.
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OK, first that’s not what it is at all…this film was nominated for Best Picture among many other awards, and it is based on a best-selling novel…I only mention it because the genre of “video nasties” is completely different. Those are films that celebrate violence against innocent people and show bloodshed and torture…that is not this film at all.
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I get what you’re trying to say, John, but it’s a ‘nasty’ for me personally.
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Got it, just pointing out for anyone reading the comments
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This is one of the scariest movies ever.
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It sure is!
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I am not a fan of horror movies. Psycho and The Sixth Sense are my two, and I just can’t watch The Exorcist. I know it’s a great movie.
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I was very impressed by The Exorcist. I saw it on release in a London cinema, and fet the ‘dread’ every time someone walked up the stairs to enter her room. Strangely, I have never watched it since. Once was enough.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I remember being absolutely terrified after seeing this
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