Review of The Exorcist (1973) by Ethan P — 05 Dec 2015
I revisited this early seventies horror. The most controversial and thought provoking in the genre at the time.
William Friedkin directed the film from a 1971 book of the same name by William Peter Blatty.
The film features some extreme language and special effects for the time. Probably a template for later films in the horror genre in Hollywood anyway. I've seen plenty of Italian giallo films from before 1973 that were just as extreme.
The film was a victim of censors cuts upon release in the UK and was only broadcast on terrestrial television in 2001!
The Catholic Church and the subject of demons taking over a 12 year old child are the main subject matter.
Conventional psychiatry fails to solve the problem and it is left to an old fashioned Catholic exorcism.
If it was made in the modern era the film would probably have less or little shock value it is partly the era it was made in. The cinema grosses prove this. It was financially successful.
The film certainly did not shock me like many other viewers felt.
This review of The Exorcist (1973) was written by Ethan P on 05 Dec 2015.
The Exorcist has generally received very positive reviews.
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