There's no question that the moviegoing experience has changed since the "The Exorcist" became a landmark cultural event when it was released the day after Christmas in 1973. Anyone that waltzed right in to see "The Exorcist: Believer" in theaters this October would have been shocked by the long lines snaking around the block to see the controversial original when it took the world by storm almost 50 years ago. It's unlikely that any other film will ever match that particular watershed moment in horror ever again.
"The Exorcist" marked the first time a genre film had ever received an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. Notably, the entire production garnered 10 nominations, winning two for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Sound. In the decades since its release, "The Exorcist" has retained its well-deserved status as one of the scariest movies ever made, having left an indelible mark on generations of unassuming spectators that...
"The Exorcist" marked the first time a genre film had ever received an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. Notably, the entire production garnered 10 nominations, winning two for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Sound. In the decades since its release, "The Exorcist" has retained its well-deserved status as one of the scariest movies ever made, having left an indelible mark on generations of unassuming spectators that...
- 10/18/2023
- by Drew Tinnin
- Slash Film
On December 26, 1973, horror fans endured long lines for the theatrical premiere of The Exorcist – a film that’s now considered by many to be the scariest movie ever made. Directed by William Friedkin and based on the bestselling novel by William Peter Blatty, The Exorcist broke box office records in its first week of release. Theater employees reported that moviegoers were passing out, becoming ill, and heading for the exits before the credits rolled because the subject matter was so disturbing and intense.
The creation of the classic horror film, which is the gold standard for movies dealing with possession and the devil, begins with Blatty’s novel published in 1971. Blatty’s story focused on a 12-year-old girl named Regan MacNeil who went from a happy-go-lucky, horse-loving preteen to a foul-mouthed, head-spinning nightmare after being possessed by a demon. Coming to Regan’s rescue were two Catholic priests who eventually...
The creation of the classic horror film, which is the gold standard for movies dealing with possession and the devil, begins with Blatty’s novel published in 1971. Blatty’s story focused on a 12-year-old girl named Regan MacNeil who went from a happy-go-lucky, horse-loving preteen to a foul-mouthed, head-spinning nightmare after being possessed by a demon. Coming to Regan’s rescue were two Catholic priests who eventually...
- 10/6/2023
- by Kevin Finnerty
- Showbiz Junkies
This article contains The Exorcist: Believer spoilers.
For nearly 20 years, author and screenwriter William Peter Blatty hated the ending of The Exorcist (1973) so much that he could barely speak with its director, William Friedkin. This would have likely struck many as odd considering the film faithfully adapted Blatty’s novel of the same name, and Blatty’s contribution to the work as screenwriter won him an Oscar. But the theatrical ending of that film was made so downbeat by its director—with Father Dyer (William O’Malley) looking at the staircase which stole the life of his best friend Father Karras (Jason Miller)—that many interpreted it as Dyer and the film were thinking none of this was worth it. For years afterward, Blatty was horrified when he encountered moviegoers who told him the Devil won.
Eventually, the director and screenwriter reconciled when the more upbeat and life-affirming final scene...
For nearly 20 years, author and screenwriter William Peter Blatty hated the ending of The Exorcist (1973) so much that he could barely speak with its director, William Friedkin. This would have likely struck many as odd considering the film faithfully adapted Blatty’s novel of the same name, and Blatty’s contribution to the work as screenwriter won him an Oscar. But the theatrical ending of that film was made so downbeat by its director—with Father Dyer (William O’Malley) looking at the staircase which stole the life of his best friend Father Karras (Jason Miller)—that many interpreted it as Dyer and the film were thinking none of this was worth it. For years afterward, Blatty was horrified when he encountered moviegoers who told him the Devil won.
Eventually, the director and screenwriter reconciled when the more upbeat and life-affirming final scene...
- 10/6/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
The episode of Revisited covering The Exorcist III was Written and Edited by Ric Solomon, Narrated by Kier Gomes, Produced by Tyler Nichols and John Fallon, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.
In 1973 William Friedkin unleashed his iconic horror film The Exorcist upon the masses. Since its release, it has been widely regarded as one of the most influential and iconic horror films of all time and would go on to have a huge cultural impact. It tapped into primal fears and because of its powerful storytelling, was able to captivate and terrify audiences. I think its safe to say this secured its status as a timeless horror classic. But we’re not here to discuss a movie that has been dissected, overanalyzed, added to most people’s Top 4 films on Letterboxd and reviewed by everyone and their mothers. No, in this episode we want to talk about the “true sequel” to this iconic film…...
In 1973 William Friedkin unleashed his iconic horror film The Exorcist upon the masses. Since its release, it has been widely regarded as one of the most influential and iconic horror films of all time and would go on to have a huge cultural impact. It tapped into primal fears and because of its powerful storytelling, was able to captivate and terrify audiences. I think its safe to say this secured its status as a timeless horror classic. But we’re not here to discuss a movie that has been dissected, overanalyzed, added to most people’s Top 4 films on Letterboxd and reviewed by everyone and their mothers. No, in this episode we want to talk about the “true sequel” to this iconic film…...
- 8/2/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
It’s astonishing to think that a few judicious edits, a deletion of seconds here, or a few minutes there, can sometimes change the entire meaning, theme, and even narrative trajectory of a motion picture. But it happens more often than you may think: look at movies like Aliens, The Abyss, or Blade Runner–just to name a handful–where such excisions literally made a movie-defining difference. That’s what happened with The Exorcist too.
That religious chiller is still renowned as the greatest horror movie of all time, and it starts a run on Netflix this week. When director William Friedkin made The Exorcist in 1973, his initial cut was two hours and 20 minutes. Over several objections by producer and screenwriter William Peter Blatty (who adapted his own novel), Friedkin pruned away 20 minutes or so, bringing the film in at a tight two hours.
Some 17 years later, however, Friedkin–whose...
That religious chiller is still renowned as the greatest horror movie of all time, and it starts a run on Netflix this week. When director William Friedkin made The Exorcist in 1973, his initial cut was two hours and 20 minutes. Over several objections by producer and screenwriter William Peter Blatty (who adapted his own novel), Friedkin pruned away 20 minutes or so, bringing the film in at a tight two hours.
Some 17 years later, however, Friedkin–whose...
- 2/3/2022
- by Don Kaye
- Den of Geek
As someone who loves to dig into The Exorcist multiple times a year, when Alexandre O. Philippe mentioned to me during a 2019 interview that he was collaborating with the legendary William Friedkin for a deep dive into the maestro’s landmark cinematic achievement, I knew it was going to be right up my proverbial alley. And I’m pleased to report that Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist absolutely delivers an endlessly compelling examination of not only Friedkin’s process in making one of the most seminal feats of cinematic greatness ever, but also explores many of Friedkin’s own artistic influences and shares some intriguing anecdotes about The Exorcist that I had not heard before (and there is one tidbit that the doc’s central figure admits is something he’s never discussed before).
In a day and age when it feels like all stones have...
In a day and age when it feels like all stones have...
- 1/31/2020
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
"The Exorcist," released 40 years ago this week (on December 26, 1973), is widely regarded as the scariest movie ever made, but after four decades, two sequels, two prequels, and countless spoofs, is there anything about the tale of demon-possessed Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair) and the priests who try to save her (Max von Sydow and Jason Miller) left to jolt and shock us?
Maybe there is. "Exorcist" director William Friedkin's 2013 memoir, "The Friedkin Connection," has three chapters full of dish on the making of the film, including which characters were based on famous people, how some of the famous special effects were accomplished, how he came to slap a Jesuit priest, and whether or not the production was cursed. Here are 25 things you may not know about "The Exorcist," many of them from Friedkin's recent book.
1. The real case that inspired William Peter Blatty's novel and screenplay was the 1949 exorcism of a 14-year-old boy,...
Maybe there is. "Exorcist" director William Friedkin's 2013 memoir, "The Friedkin Connection," has three chapters full of dish on the making of the film, including which characters were based on famous people, how some of the famous special effects were accomplished, how he came to slap a Jesuit priest, and whether or not the production was cursed. Here are 25 things you may not know about "The Exorcist," many of them from Friedkin's recent book.
1. The real case that inspired William Peter Blatty's novel and screenplay was the 1949 exorcism of a 14-year-old boy,...
- 12/26/2013
- by Gary Susman
- Moviefone
Movie: The Exorcist Release Year: 1973 Studio: Warner Bros. Director: William Friedkin Starring: Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil, Max von Sydow as Father Merrin, Lee J. Cobb as Lt. William Kinderman, Jason Miller as Father Damian Karras, William O'Malley as Father Dyer and Linda Blair as Regan MacNeil Cinematographer: Owen Roizman (The French Connection, Network, Wyatt Earp) Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Warner Bros. Photo: Warner Bros.
- 5/24/2012
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
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