Review of The Exorcist (1973) by Johnathon W — 13 Nov 2015

Brilliant horror film that holds up as not only the scariest of all time but simple one of the best movies ever. The cast is superb across the board, with Ellen Burystn conveying a mother desperate to find out what's wrong with her child while Linda Blair is perfect as a normal 12 year going through a horrific experience.

Max Von Sydow also brings much needed gravitas at the end as the Father Merrin, the priest who knows exactly what's happening. Behind the camera, William Friedkin brilliantly adapts William Blatty's novel by staying realistic and taking it's time.

Chris & Regan's family life is firmly established, and when Regan's possession starts to happen, she at first seeks medical advice (including a gruesome brain scan procedure). Even the exorcism itself is handled in a down to earth manner, with even the Catholic church being skeptical at first & following protocols before approving it.

All this gives a film a 'real world' horror, doubled by brilliant special effects that haven't aged a day (I still will never eat pea soup). Despite all that, there is still a nice, uplifting message about good triumphing over evil (something Blatty always intended, as he still claims he never set out to tell a horror story).

Altogether, still the scariest film ever made and one of the finest ever produced.