Review of The Exorcist (1973) by Francisco C — 26 Nov 2015

There was a time when having the word "Banned" show up in the same breath as your film title, would instantly garner its success, regardless of any physical merit, Let's ask "I Spit On Your Grave" about that.

However The Exorcist not only had people feinting, throwing up and running head first down a darkened stair case, before out the double doors, it decided to wind censors up and still have just as much, if not more effect now, than it did back upon its release.

Widely known by any one who may have even had a passing interest in film, The Exorcist thrusts us into the world of possession, when 12 year old Regan begins to act out in a dangerous a vile manner, no doctor can get to the bottom of her condition.

With her behavior becoming more erratic and suspect of religious belief, Regan's mother takes one last chance, enlisting the help of a withered priest to exorcise her problems. Usually with dated shock and awe film making, sending yourself back to the 70's, to see what all the fuss was about, can be baffling at first.

Dated scares, poor acting, primitive effect work and over exposure, usually lead to some head scratching moments, as the viewer wonders why the 6 o,clock news contains more "Shocking Images".

The Exorcist pierces through that stigma by not only being utterly terrifying, it also has fantastic acting, brilliant effects work and a story that just doesn't date. Ellen Burstyn proves early on, why she's one of the most under rated actresses of her generation, Miller is hypnotic as a broken priest and Max Von Sydow pulls of a brief but blistering performance as a high priest.

This would all be worthless had Linda Blair not been on the ball, and although not the best child performance ever, you have to tip your hat to a young girl, in any day and age, that goes the distance with such a vulgar character.

Regan is briefly built up as sweetness personified, before being torn from our grasp and turned into a sex crazed, head twisting, murderous beast and you could argue that make up, voice over work and a solid director do sell the performance, Blair cannot be faulted for her efforts, commitment and general performance of the character.

Which is just as well because if you thought you had seen it all The Exorcist will ruin your eyes forever. Friedkin crafts an atmospheric and chilling piece, full of symbolism, religion and desperation, The Exorcist feels like a vivid dream, just fantastical enough, while still being utterly believable.

Friedkin gives a sense of weight and purpose to not only the situation, but character itself, opting for a slow build up of tense sequences, rather than over drawn scenes. This makes the viewer alert, giving us too much to swallow whole, but not enough to choke on.

The film finds its scares from a mixture of shock and down right unease, yes it could be argued that Regan may be too deplorable once her transformation begins, others would argue that her vulgarity would perfectly emulate what the almighty lord of evil would have in store for a youthful girl, rooted heavily in family.

Regardless of your opinion, you cannot fault the films ability to heighten your fear of helplessness and tackle a subject, no one would dare touch, with that age of character. The Exorcist splits itself into 3, wonderfully packaged, parts, and as wonderful as it all comes together, the beginning does feel slightly over bloated.

It is completely evident why the beginning has to happen as it does, however we appear to hit that nail on the head, one too many times, feeling almost like we get what Friedkin is trying to say, but not being allowed to move on.

Once the ball is rolling however, its full steam ahead and The Exorcist never wavers, the inclusion of a camp detective tries to derail the entire thing, but the main cast are too busy burning your retinas.

Will offend everyone but be so good at it, you cannot fail to fall in love with it.