Few horror sub-genres are as divisive as exorcism movies. For some, they are silly to the point of high camp, outrageous stories about invisible creatures that can take control of normal people and make them do outrageous things. For others, exorcism movies reveal a hidden realm of evil that has a very real impact on our world.
That tension allows a wide variety of approaches within the sub-genre, despite the dominance of one monumental film from the 70s. Exorcism movies can be ridiculous crowd-pleasers, stately dramas, or lowbrow comedies. Whether it’s because of the power of Christ or a really good script, you should feel compelled to watch these great exorcism movies.
The Exorcist (1973)
Of course, it starts with The Exorcist, directed by the late, great William Friedkin. Friedkin wasn’t writer William Peter Blatty’s first choice to direct the movie, which first went to Francis Ford Coppola and Peter Bogdanovich.
That tension allows a wide variety of approaches within the sub-genre, despite the dominance of one monumental film from the 70s. Exorcism movies can be ridiculous crowd-pleasers, stately dramas, or lowbrow comedies. Whether it’s because of the power of Christ or a really good script, you should feel compelled to watch these great exorcism movies.
The Exorcist (1973)
Of course, it starts with The Exorcist, directed by the late, great William Friedkin. Friedkin wasn’t writer William Peter Blatty’s first choice to direct the movie, which first went to Francis Ford Coppola and Peter Bogdanovich.
- 8/24/2023
- by Kirsten Howard
- Den of Geek
Click here to read the full article.
Austin Stoker, the actor from Trinidad who starred as the heroic cop battling a band of marauding gang members inside a decommissioned police station in the John Carpenter thriller Assault on Precinct 13, has died. He was 92.
Stoker died Friday of renal failure on his birthday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, his wife, Robin, told The Hollywood Reporter. “His transition was beautiful,” she said.
Stoker also portrayed Macdonald, the human assistant of Roddy McDowall’s Caesar, in Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973), the fifth and final chapter in the original movie series, and he was Brick Williams, the love interest of Pam Grier’s private investigator, in Sheba, Baby (1975).
On the landmark 1977 ABC miniseries Roots, he played Virgil Harvey, father of Olivia Cole‘s Mathilda.
In the cult classic Assault on Precinct 13 (1976), Stoker starred as Lt. Ethan Bishop, who goes...
Austin Stoker, the actor from Trinidad who starred as the heroic cop battling a band of marauding gang members inside a decommissioned police station in the John Carpenter thriller Assault on Precinct 13, has died. He was 92.
Stoker died Friday of renal failure on his birthday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, his wife, Robin, told The Hollywood Reporter. “His transition was beautiful,” she said.
Stoker also portrayed Macdonald, the human assistant of Roddy McDowall’s Caesar, in Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973), the fifth and final chapter in the original movie series, and he was Brick Williams, the love interest of Pam Grier’s private investigator, in Sheba, Baby (1975).
On the landmark 1977 ABC miniseries Roots, he played Virgil Harvey, father of Olivia Cole‘s Mathilda.
In the cult classic Assault on Precinct 13 (1976), Stoker starred as Lt. Ethan Bishop, who goes...
- 10/11/2022
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Carol Speed, who lit up the screen in the cult blaxploitation film The Mack, died on Jan. 14 in Muskogee, Okla. She was 76 and her family announced her death in a statement published online, but did not specify the cause.
Speed came to filmgoer attention in the 1970s in a series of blaxploitation movies, but broke through in 1973’s The Mack, in which she played the girlfriend and head prostitute of star Max Julien, who died earlier this month. That led Speed to television roles on TV shows, including Julia and Sanford and Son.
Her other big role was in the horror film Abby in 1974, playing the title character, who is possessed by an ancient Nigerian devil known as Eshu. The film was a hit among moviegoers after its Christmas Day release. But Warner Bros. sued, claiming it stole the plot of its film The Exorcist. The litigation led to Abby being pulled from theaters,...
Speed came to filmgoer attention in the 1970s in a series of blaxploitation movies, but broke through in 1973’s The Mack, in which she played the girlfriend and head prostitute of star Max Julien, who died earlier this month. That led Speed to television roles on TV shows, including Julia and Sanford and Son.
Her other big role was in the horror film Abby in 1974, playing the title character, who is possessed by an ancient Nigerian devil known as Eshu. The film was a hit among moviegoers after its Christmas Day release. But Warner Bros. sued, claiming it stole the plot of its film The Exorcist. The litigation led to Abby being pulled from theaters,...
- 1/29/2022
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Stars: Rudy Ray Moore, Carol Speed, D’Urville Martin, Melvin Van Peebles, Lady Reed et al. | Written by Frank R. Salteri, J. Robert Wagoner, Cliff Roquemore, Melvin Van Peebles et al. | Directed by Melvin Van Peebles, D’Urville Martin, J. Robert Wagoner, William A. Levey et al.
Following their success with 2015’s Straight Outta Compton, and the debut of some of their line-up on Blu-ray, Xenon Pictures are releasing a series of classic (a broad term) Blaxploitation movies on VOD this month.
We should begin with the film that started it all. Melvin Van Peebles writes, directs and stars in Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song (1971), a film that seeks to confront and challenge from the moment you try to read the title aloud. When the first scene depicts a preadolescent boy having sex with a grown woman, you know Van Peebles isn’t messing about. “This film is dedicated to...
Following their success with 2015’s Straight Outta Compton, and the debut of some of their line-up on Blu-ray, Xenon Pictures are releasing a series of classic (a broad term) Blaxploitation movies on VOD this month.
We should begin with the film that started it all. Melvin Van Peebles writes, directs and stars in Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song (1971), a film that seeks to confront and challenge from the moment you try to read the title aloud. When the first scene depicts a preadolescent boy having sex with a grown woman, you know Van Peebles isn’t messing about. “This film is dedicated to...
- 7/18/2018
- by Rupert Harvey
- Nerdly
Joseph Wambaugh’s breakthrough novel went through a blender to fit George C. Scott into the narrative, but it’s still a great cop show with terrific work from Stacy Keach and Scott Wilson, not to mention Jane Alexander and Rosalind Cash. The pro-cop agenda has a definite tone of personal experience, and the grim finish is anything but feel-good puffery.
The New Centurions
Blu-ray
Twilight Time
1972 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 103 min. / Street Date March 20, 2018 / Available from the Twilight Time Movies Store / 29.95
Starring: George C. Scott, Stacy Keach, Jane Alexander, Scott Wilson, Rosalind Cash, Erik Estrada, Clifton James, James Sikking, Isabel Sanford, Carol Speed, William Atherton, Ed Lauter, Dolph Sweet, Stefan Gierasch, Roger E. Mosley, Pepe Serna, Kitten Natividad.
Cinematography: Ralph Woolsey
Film Editor: Robert C. Jones
Production Design: Boris Leven
Original Music: Quincy Jones
Written by Stirling Silliphant, Robert Towne (uncredited) from the book by Joseph Wambaugh
Produced by Robert Chartoff,...
The New Centurions
Blu-ray
Twilight Time
1972 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 103 min. / Street Date March 20, 2018 / Available from the Twilight Time Movies Store / 29.95
Starring: George C. Scott, Stacy Keach, Jane Alexander, Scott Wilson, Rosalind Cash, Erik Estrada, Clifton James, James Sikking, Isabel Sanford, Carol Speed, William Atherton, Ed Lauter, Dolph Sweet, Stefan Gierasch, Roger E. Mosley, Pepe Serna, Kitten Natividad.
Cinematography: Ralph Woolsey
Film Editor: Robert C. Jones
Production Design: Boris Leven
Original Music: Quincy Jones
Written by Stirling Silliphant, Robert Towne (uncredited) from the book by Joseph Wambaugh
Produced by Robert Chartoff,...
- 3/27/2018
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
The 1970s were a very interesting time for genre fare. Independent, low-budget horror was spreading through “exploitation” flicks meant to draw viewers in with promises of violence, nudity, and a variety of other visceral thrills that often came at the price of other luxuries like plot structure, acting, and production value. From this burgeoning grindhouse scene sprang an even more interesting phenomenon, the “blaxploitation” wave. Blaxploitation, particularly horror blaxploitation, focused on film tropes through the lens of black culture.
Those familiar with blaxploitation are likely aware of William Marshall, but they probably know him by another name: Blacula, aka “Dracula’s Soul Brother.” Blacula is one of the most well-known characters of blaxploitation cinema, due largely to what Marshall brought to the role. Despite what on its surface could be considered a silly premise, Marshall managed to bring some pathos to the proceedings, insisting that his character be an African...
Those familiar with blaxploitation are likely aware of William Marshall, but they probably know him by another name: Blacula, aka “Dracula’s Soul Brother.” Blacula is one of the most well-known characters of blaxploitation cinema, due largely to what Marshall brought to the role. Despite what on its surface could be considered a silly premise, Marshall managed to bring some pathos to the proceedings, insisting that his character be an African...
- 11/16/2016
- by Bryan Christopher
- DailyDead
Reviewed by Kevin Scott, MoreHorror.com
Abby (1974)
Director: William Girdler
Writers: William Girdler and Gordon Cornell Layne
Cast: William Marshall (Bishop Garnet Williams), Terry Carter (Rev. Emmett Williams), Austin Stoker (Det. Cass Potter), Carol Speed (Abby Williams), Juanita Moore (Miranda “Momma” Potter)
I pride myself on being a Blaxploitation fan, but I may have missed one of the high points in the genre. A good friend of mine and a trusted resource for solid film recommendations told me about this one. When I elaborate a little further about the cast and the plot, I almost need to turn in my Blaxploitation fan card. It’s almost unpardonable.
“Abby” came out in 1974. It’s a story of possession that debuted a year after another possession story that maybe you heard of. It actually was taken out of circulation for several years because Warner Brothers sued American International Pictures for directly ripping off “The Exorcist”. Maybe,...
Abby (1974)
Director: William Girdler
Writers: William Girdler and Gordon Cornell Layne
Cast: William Marshall (Bishop Garnet Williams), Terry Carter (Rev. Emmett Williams), Austin Stoker (Det. Cass Potter), Carol Speed (Abby Williams), Juanita Moore (Miranda “Momma” Potter)
I pride myself on being a Blaxploitation fan, but I may have missed one of the high points in the genre. A good friend of mine and a trusted resource for solid film recommendations told me about this one. When I elaborate a little further about the cast and the plot, I almost need to turn in my Blaxploitation fan card. It’s almost unpardonable.
“Abby” came out in 1974. It’s a story of possession that debuted a year after another possession story that maybe you heard of. It actually was taken out of circulation for several years because Warner Brothers sued American International Pictures for directly ripping off “The Exorcist”. Maybe,...
- 7/23/2014
- by admin
- MoreHorror
Cinema Retro welcomes our latest columnist, Ernie Magnotta, who will turn his attention to under-rated cinematic gems and guilty pleasures!
By Ernie Magnotta
“If a movie makes you happy, for whatever reason, then it’s a good movie.”
—Big E
There are good movies and there are bad movies. There are also movies that some people say are so bad that they're good. I hear that all the time. I've heard it since I was a kid. I think what they actually mean is that they're not good in the way most people might normally watch and judge a film; Excellent writing, incredible acting, masterful direction, etc.
The way I see it, there's more than one way to enjoy a film. Every movie doesn't have to be a five-star masterpiece like Gone with the Wind. You do not have to judge a film the way you would judge a mainstream...
By Ernie Magnotta
“If a movie makes you happy, for whatever reason, then it’s a good movie.”
—Big E
There are good movies and there are bad movies. There are also movies that some people say are so bad that they're good. I hear that all the time. I've heard it since I was a kid. I think what they actually mean is that they're not good in the way most people might normally watch and judge a film; Excellent writing, incredible acting, masterful direction, etc.
The way I see it, there's more than one way to enjoy a film. Every movie doesn't have to be a five-star masterpiece like Gone with the Wind. You do not have to judge a film the way you would judge a mainstream...
- 8/7/2013
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Of course I’m talking about the 1974 The Exorcist rip-off and cult favorite Abby or as the poster tag line for the movie said: “Abby doesn’t need a man anymore. The Devil is her lover now!” O.K. so maybe I exaggerated…just a little. So it may not be one of the greatest black films ever made, but it’s sure as hell one of the most fun watching.
Written and directed by Louisville native William Girdler, (who went on to have a very busy career as a filmmaker during the 70′s directing several films including the Jaws rip off Grizzly and the unbelievable and truly weird The Manitou which was released after his sudden death in a plane crash in 1978) Abby with Carol Speed and Blacula himself William Marshall as the exorcist is about about a woman who like Linda Blair is possessed by the Devil. But...
Written and directed by Louisville native William Girdler, (who went on to have a very busy career as a filmmaker during the 70′s directing several films including the Jaws rip off Grizzly and the unbelievable and truly weird The Manitou which was released after his sudden death in a plane crash in 1978) Abby with Carol Speed and Blacula himself William Marshall as the exorcist is about about a woman who like Linda Blair is possessed by the Devil. But...
- 12/23/2010
- by Sergio
- ShadowAndAct
Director William Girdler.s 1974 film Abby was a clone of The Exorcist with an all-black cast starring William Marshall, fresh off his triumph as Blacula, in the Max Von Sydow role. Shot for a meager $200k, Abby was an urban hit, grossing four million dollars in its first month of release. Apparently the powers-that-be at Warner Brothers, who had produced The Exorcist, thought Abby.s plot was too similar to that of their cash cow so successfully sued Girdler and the films distributor, American International. Aip was ordered to destroy all of their theatrical prints, and the film has never officially been licensed for home viewing. The Exorcist was the top grossing film of 1973 and spawned a virtual cottage industry of knock-off imitators, mostly from Europe, that flourished for the rest of the decade, so it seems an odd fate that Abby was singled out for legal punishment and remains...
- 4/1/2010
- by Tom
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Vol.3: Big Bad Mama
Stars: Angie Dickinson, Tom Skeritt, William Shatner, Susan Sennett, Robbie Lee | Written by William W. Norton & Frances Doel | Directed by Steve Carver | Produced by Roger Corman
Directed by Steve Carver (Lone Wolf McQuade, An Eye For An Eye), Big Bad Mama stars Angie Dickinson as Wilma, a gangster’s moll who takes control of her boyfriend’s bootlegging business following his death and becomes involved in a rollercoaster crime spree. Assisting her are two ne’er-do-wells in the form of bank robber Fred Diller (Skerritt) and conman William J. Baxter (Shatner), as well as her uncontrollable but comely daughters, Billy Jean (Sennett) and Polly (Lee).
A strange mix of exploitation movie and female empowerment flick, Big Bad Mama is a fast-paced action packed comedy that walks a fine line between over-the-top acting and plot, and a poignant tale of family love and loyalty. Mixing an abundance of nudity,...
Stars: Angie Dickinson, Tom Skeritt, William Shatner, Susan Sennett, Robbie Lee | Written by William W. Norton & Frances Doel | Directed by Steve Carver | Produced by Roger Corman
Directed by Steve Carver (Lone Wolf McQuade, An Eye For An Eye), Big Bad Mama stars Angie Dickinson as Wilma, a gangster’s moll who takes control of her boyfriend’s bootlegging business following his death and becomes involved in a rollercoaster crime spree. Assisting her are two ne’er-do-wells in the form of bank robber Fred Diller (Skerritt) and conman William J. Baxter (Shatner), as well as her uncontrollable but comely daughters, Billy Jean (Sennett) and Polly (Lee).
A strange mix of exploitation movie and female empowerment flick, Big Bad Mama is a fast-paced action packed comedy that walks a fine line between over-the-top acting and plot, and a poignant tale of family love and loyalty. Mixing an abundance of nudity,...
- 3/25/2010
- by Phil
- Nerdly
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