Some say it is the greatest horror film ever made and it certainly has the reputation to back that claim. Then there are those who claim the movie to be nothing more than "shock value" and a laugh riot, nowhere near scary. I guess the power of this film or lack thereof can be best summarized by the guy in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, "It's time to ask yourself what you believe."
William Friedkin's THE EXORCIST had a mythic quality to it when I came around. My mother spoke of how it was the scariest movie she'd ever seen. When I finally saw the movie, it was, without a doubt, the scariest, most shocking, brutal film I'd ever seen up to that point. This was around the time that the extended cut of the film had it's big VHS release. So, the version of the film that I was first exposed to was the one that included the "spider-walk" scene. It gave my adolescent self many nightmares and sleepless nights. A decade later it still had the power to effect me when I'd watch it. And even now, more years later, it still retains much of its power.
When I speak with people who claim the movie to be laughable I am left asking, "How is that possible?!" After watching horror movies and talking about them for as long as I have with many kinds of people I've found that there are those who believe in God, the Devil, and spirits and then there are those who feel anything supernatural is completely asinine (these are the type of people who see The Conjuring and think it's dumb but watch The Last House On The Left or The Strangers and finds them beyond terrifying). You can guess which type of person I am.
Whether you believe in such things as the paranormal or spiritual or are among those who don't, there is something powerfully frightening and disturbing about The Exorcist, shock value or otherwise. In short, there's a reason why it has the reputation that it does.
THE PLOT
An archeological dig in Iraq unearths an unholy statue and demonic entity. Father Merrin, a priest of the Catholic church, senses something dark on the horizon. Shortly thereafter in Georgetown, Regan, the daughter of an A-list actress, experiences several bizarre episodes. She begins acting out and exhibiting startling behavior. Soon after, Regan's mother begins to suspect that there is something evil in her daughter. Father Merrin arrives in Georgetown to confront his age old enemy once and for all.
WHAT I LIKED
Extremity. Whether you believe in such things as demons or not, the aspect of this film that no one can argue with are the graphic visuals. I mean, this film goes to some depraved, nigh snuff, levels of on screen violence. Few films have gone to this level of extremity. I feel this is the film's most enduring aspect as these visuals are still shocking today. Something insidious was going on in 1970's Hollywood. Some of the most notorious horror films ever made came from this era (but not all) and the Exorcist may be the most notorious of all (or at least the most recognizable). Wow, I am talking around the specifics, I know, but trust me, when you watch the film (or if you've already watched it) you know which scenes I'm talking about.
Linda Blair. This film wouldn't be half as good as it is if not for the incredible performance of Linda Blair. First off, portraying a frightened young girl enduring an invading spirit and then forced to go through all those horrible medical tests. Then portraying the demon, Pazuzu, a being of pure evil. The voice, the eyes, the mile long stare, the writhing. The transformation is so completely realized that you believe it's no longer the same person. And the make-up effects further enhance the transformation. Of all the frightening imagery in cinema the design for Regan is among the most iconic and, in my opinion, scariest. The make-up only serves to reinforce Linda Blair's powerful performance.
Realism. What ultimately seals the deal of this film is the real world approach of director William Friedkin's to the subject matter. The film tackles the story very systematically without being hokey. An event happens and characters react to it. Then another event happens and the characters react to that. The possession moment happens off screen. One moment Regan's fine. The next moment she's not. There's no seance scene or summoning scene or a moment where the movie feels like a cliched satanic/possession film (other than cliches that the film itself started). The film is told through the view of Regan's mother, a logical woman who doesn't believe in anything supernatural. We see the events as she does; something strange is happening to her daughter and she exhausts all medical explanations first before coming to her wits end and willing to try something fantastic like an exorcism. I feel this realistic, modernist approach magnifies the supernatural horror of the movie.
Visual Composition. First off, the special effects and gore effects are amazing. For occurring prior to the gore effects revolution of the late 70's and 1980's these bloody images hold up very well. Then there's the subtle elements present throughout the film. If you're paying close attention you'll see quick clips of the demon's face flash upon screen. Or off in the dark spots of Regan's room there's a black silhouette of the demon statue barely visible. All of this adds to the mystique of the film and enhancing the horrific atmosphere. It also makes for a closer viewing of the film upon your second time around.
NITPICKS
Who am I to criticize this film or any other. If I was a proven award winning filmmaker then yes, I'd have grounds to criticize, but I'm not. I'm just some nobody who likes horror movies and I feel The Exorcist is a horror movie masterpiece. I'll say that I don't necessarily enjoy the film but rather appreciate how terrifying an experience it is. While it may not be my favorite horror film, it may be one of the scariest movies I've ever watched. The seemingly randomness of Regan's possession is absolutely terrifying, but then you find out she messed with a Ouija board and brought it on herself. Knowing why she was possessed diminished the terror for me, albeit not by much. And I will say that as they continue to enhance the picture quality with new blu-ray releases the infamous "head-spinning" shot doesn't hold up as well as it did on those old grainy VHS copies. But even so, this film, for me, holds up very well today.
THE VERDICT
To reiterate: The Exorcist is a horror movie masterpiece. It showcases seldom trod levels of depravity and presents it with the utmost realism. The gore effects were ahead of its time and, for the most part, hold up today. But it is in Linda Blair's unparalleled performance that pushes the film above and beyond its peers. She manages to channel evil in a way that makes one suspend their disbelief and believe in the devil. Without a doubt The Exorcist is one of the top horror films ever made if not the very top of the "Best of" list and a staple film of the genre and cinema in general.
Overall Ranking: 10 out of 10
Nude-O-Meter: 0 out of 10
For more possession/satanic films be sure to check out these others
And for all things horror be sure to check out Blood Work's
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