Rent The Exorcist (1973)

The Original Exorcist - The Exorcist review by CP Customer

For some reason in the 70's Hollywood produced a series of devil or occult themed films that have not been surpassed since. The Exorcist stands alongside The Omen as one of the most memorable.

It is not the gore-fest or out and out screamer that it would have been in today's effect heavy horror movies. Instead it slowly builds towards its climax, displaying the suffering of all those involved, whether it is the family, priests or the never better Linda Blair.

Horror Film And a Masterpiece - The Exorcist review by GI

Of all the fantastic horror films that were released in the 1970s, for example The Omen and Carrie, The Exorcist still retains the power of controversy mostly due to false myths about the filmmaking process and the subsequent effects on young actor Linda Blair. As a demonic possession narrative it's still probably the most famous and the best, indeed it's a cinematic masterpiece. As a psychological horror it retains its ability to shock and disturb even when you've seen it many times. The film came out at a time of growing social despair in the US, a time of Vietnam, the collapse of the peace & love movement as murder and violence increased alongside Government corruption. The Exorcist tapped into the feeling that all was lost and targeted the innocent child in its story to amplify that despair and sense of dread. This is a horror film that doesn't rely on image to create its growing sense of fear but combines it with subtlety of script and thematic challenges to the safety of hearth and home, family and religion. It really is a great film and one of those that everyone should see (the Extended Cut is the one to go for, replacing scenes taken out but subsequently reintroduced by the director William Friedkin). Famous film actress Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) is making a movie in Washington. She has her 12 year old daughter Regan (Blair) accompany her there and they live in a large rental house. When Regan begins to show behavioural changes Chris becomes frustrated that the medical experts can find nothing wrong even though Regan's behaviour and strange things begin to worsen in the house. Desperate she confides in a young priest (Jason Miller), who is facing his own issues, and he agrees to perform an exorcism becoming convinced that Regan maybe possessed. The Church insists that experienced priest Father Merrin (Max Von Sydow) is summoned to perform the ceremony. Merrin and the demon have a history! With its infamous scenes of medical procedures (which are even more shocking when seen today) and some stomach churning stuff that occurs The Exorcist is a truly uncomfortable viewing experience but it's also enthralling and it thoroughly deserved its awards and nominations. The performances are all superb and include the great Lee J. Cobb as a detective who investigates some of the events that occur.

The power of Christ compels you! - The Exorcist review by HW

The more I watch this film, the less I care about the gross profanity (as blackly funny as those outrageous lines can be) and the impressive FX. This is not really a story of a girl getting possessed by the devil. It’s the story of Father Damien Carras having a crisis of faith, which is only restored upon seeing a child possessed by an actual demon. When medicine and psychiatry fail to provide solutions, Carras needs to restore his belief in order to save the girl, helped by the unwavering warrior-priest Father Merrin. This classic still has the power to shock today, while boasting what most other horror shockers don’t have: a genuinely dread atmosphere, unflinching realism and haunting performances. Like other smart 70s horrors such as the ‘Wicker Man’, ‘the Exorcist’ also makes you ponder questions on morality, the supernatural and religion: while delivering a powerfully thrilling good vs evil battle. Still vomits all over every subsequent exorcism picture.