The Exorcist (A or 4/4 stars)
Based on a true story, 'The Exorcist' (directed by William Friedkin & directed by William Peter Blatty) begins on an archeological dig in North Africa & introduces us to Father Merrin (Max von Sydow). We learn that Father Merrin has a serious heart condition & sees haunting images that foreshadow an encounter with evil forces. But we leave Merrin to follow 2 parallel stories that will eventually collide. One story involves Regan (Linda Blair), who appears as a sweet 12 yr. old girl that any mom would be proud of. Regan & her actress-mother, Chris (Ellen Burstyn) live in Georgetown, D.C. while she is acting in a film there.
We learn that Chris is an atheist; which sets up another contrasting story. That thread involves Father Karras (Jason Miller), a young priest/psychiatrist who faces spiritual self-questioning & also the challenge of caring for his own mother. The likelihood of Karras getting involved with non-believer Chris would be unlikely. However, Chris starts noticing dramatic, dangerous behavior in her 12 yr. old. Suddenly prone to wild fits & bizarre behavior, Regan also starts with urinating on the carpet, hearing odd noises, screaming obscenities, suffering seizures, & jolting into violent tantrums.
Paranormal occurrences commence, including a violently shaking bed & unexplained movements; not to mention Regan's radical change in complexion (horrifying green face with postules). Eventually Father Karras convinces his superiors that the girl is possessed & in need of an ancient exorcism; and old Father Merrin is called upon to perform the exorcism ("The power of Christ compels you!"). The climax of the film is said exorcism; and it is very intense, as the evil spirit inside Regan seems determined to win over the young priest who is facing his own spiritual demons & the older priest with his heart condition. Craziness ensues.
I was interested by the idea that Father Merrin brings up when he says, "The demon is a liar. But he will also mix lies with the truth to attack us. The attack is psychological, but powerful". It's commendable that this film touches upon the spiritual conflicts that Fathers Merris & Karras are facing. I believe that people who believe in the existence of Satan/evil will be more likely to become engrossed in the film than people who don't. That said, this is one SCARY movie. I could even envision some audiences getting physically ill in the theaters; we're mostly abhorred (in a good way) by Regan's grotesque make up, her vomiting, thrashing about, special effects, & various obscenities on display. The whole exorcism is an ordeal to watch ... but what a splendid ordeal, cinematically.
And yet, with thrills aplenty, 'The Exorcist' succeeds best - believe it or not - in developing its main characters. We get to understand the relationships that Chris has with her family, & we get to know something of Karras' struggles with his faith. Even the slow moving opening scenes give us an instinctive feel for Father Merrin's character. Max von Sydow & Jason Miller are brilliant throughout the film. Linda Blair is wildly impressive; having to play both the sweet, vulnerable pre-teen, as well as the over-the-top, demonic beast who wants to harm everyone in sight. And Ellen Burstyn is the anchor of the film. It's a stunning performance; and one that most mothers will identify with if they had to go through what she has to with her little girl.
The mood of the film is thoroughly creepy (always staying scary). I love the chilly depiction of Georgetown; with its muted fall colors & overwhelmingly gray days. And the theme music helps sustain the suspenseful mood. Now, as mentioned, some scenes are paced quite slowly. But I don't mind that because there are many scenes that are pitched at such a hard-driving, intense level. i.e., Regan's bedroom scenes. 'The Exorcist' is one of the most powerful horror movies ever made. And I also believe it to be one of the strongest films of 1973. It is essential viewing for anyone who loves what movies can do to you viscerally & spiritually.
We learn that Chris is an atheist; which sets up another contrasting story. That thread involves Father Karras (Jason Miller), a young priest/psychiatrist who faces spiritual self-questioning & also the challenge of caring for his own mother. The likelihood of Karras getting involved with non-believer Chris would be unlikely. However, Chris starts noticing dramatic, dangerous behavior in her 12 yr. old. Suddenly prone to wild fits & bizarre behavior, Regan also starts with urinating on the carpet, hearing odd noises, screaming obscenities, suffering seizures, & jolting into violent tantrums.
Paranormal occurrences commence, including a violently shaking bed & unexplained movements; not to mention Regan's radical change in complexion (horrifying green face with postules). Eventually Father Karras convinces his superiors that the girl is possessed & in need of an ancient exorcism; and old Father Merrin is called upon to perform the exorcism ("The power of Christ compels you!"). The climax of the film is said exorcism; and it is very intense, as the evil spirit inside Regan seems determined to win over the young priest who is facing his own spiritual demons & the older priest with his heart condition. Craziness ensues.
I was interested by the idea that Father Merrin brings up when he says, "The demon is a liar. But he will also mix lies with the truth to attack us. The attack is psychological, but powerful". It's commendable that this film touches upon the spiritual conflicts that Fathers Merris & Karras are facing. I believe that people who believe in the existence of Satan/evil will be more likely to become engrossed in the film than people who don't. That said, this is one SCARY movie. I could even envision some audiences getting physically ill in the theaters; we're mostly abhorred (in a good way) by Regan's grotesque make up, her vomiting, thrashing about, special effects, & various obscenities on display. The whole exorcism is an ordeal to watch ... but what a splendid ordeal, cinematically.
And yet, with thrills aplenty, 'The Exorcist' succeeds best - believe it or not - in developing its main characters. We get to understand the relationships that Chris has with her family, & we get to know something of Karras' struggles with his faith. Even the slow moving opening scenes give us an instinctive feel for Father Merrin's character. Max von Sydow & Jason Miller are brilliant throughout the film. Linda Blair is wildly impressive; having to play both the sweet, vulnerable pre-teen, as well as the over-the-top, demonic beast who wants to harm everyone in sight. And Ellen Burstyn is the anchor of the film. It's a stunning performance; and one that most mothers will identify with if they had to go through what she has to with her little girl.
The mood of the film is thoroughly creepy (always staying scary). I love the chilly depiction of Georgetown; with its muted fall colors & overwhelmingly gray days. And the theme music helps sustain the suspenseful mood. Now, as mentioned, some scenes are paced quite slowly. But I don't mind that because there are many scenes that are pitched at such a hard-driving, intense level. i.e., Regan's bedroom scenes. 'The Exorcist' is one of the most powerful horror movies ever made. And I also believe it to be one of the strongest films of 1973. It is essential viewing for anyone who loves what movies can do to you viscerally & spiritually.