It’s so disturbing because she is stuck in there being tortured on so many levels and stood no chance. And that it was never Regan that was the target. It was Karras and his already shaky faith.
My father and I stood on line for well over an hour in chilly drizzle, just to get the sh** scared out of us with this movie. The possessions scenes and the whole movie still pack a powerful and frightening punch, but the opening is probably one of the most chilling and brilliant openings of any movie I have seen.. Everything is told to us in visuals with little to no dialogue with those fascinating shots of Iraq and carrying over to the mother hearing the odd sounds in the attic. The whole opening unfolds almost like bad dream..masterfully directed and edited.
This starts the last 20 minutes of the film where it really ramps up the confrontation, and finally, salvation! I don't know how Friedkin was even able to film this without feeling something tugging on his heartstrings. He was all business, being the excellent filmmaker that he is. But these were the scenes where the audience could take no more, even the strongest of hearts back in 1973 and 1974 ran out of the theaters in mortal fear. Here, you can hear Mercedes McCambridge really letting loose with her lung afflictions to maximum effect! Also, this transfer isn't nearly loud enough!
Barbara Nelson She'd originally requested not to be listed in the credits. Then she changed her mind and they had to squeeze her in. There may be 2 versions one with and one without her name.
@@barbaranelson8617 I think she asked Freidkin at the start that she didn't want a credit. Then I think she changed her mind when the credit wasnt given.
This is the movie that caused my father to jump backwards to the point he ended up laying on the coffee table with his legs straight up in the air. He was sitting at the edge with his legs open. When her head spun around he flung himself backwards in fear. My mother loves telling this story.
This movie jumps right off the screen and hits me in the gut. Like it or hate it, this movie represents the power of cinema to stir emotions. It is a deeply unsettling and very emotional experience. My favorite character is Damian Karras. He is in a state of consent emotional suffering. He has lost his faith because all he ever sees is the suffering of other people, and he absorbs all the pain because he has a sensitive spirit. (I can relate to that). In spite of his own sorrow, he has a beautiful spirit that wants to help others and he makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Reagan from the demon. He is the character I relate to the most. I would not describe The Exorcist as a horror film, it is a psychological drama and character study. The film deals with the battle between good and evil in a very ancient and powerful way. It is a masterpiece that deserved to win best picture of the year
THE EXORCIST is one of the most emotionally mature and resonant horror movies ever made, and addresses our crises of faith in this world of ours that is so overwhelmingly full of suffering already, AND the power (and powerlessness) in being a mother. Though many remember the (justly celebrated) joint performance of Mercedes McCambridge and Linda Blair and the accentuating special effects and shock moments, it goes deep into receptive viewers because of its profound humanity, and its empathy for the suffering of EVERYONE in the path of the devil's evil. Simply put, it's a masterpiece....
The make up job on van sydow is something else. I couldnt understand how looked as old in this as he did in more recent films. Thought he hadnt aged in 40 years
I liked this film because it showed the harsh reality of the demonic realm. That realm exists and is more horrific than any film could show. Few films ever had the balls to show how evil that realm is. This one did. Most possession movies are stupid and made up BS. This film was based on a real exorcism. Both priests survived that exorcism though.
+heartfire451 What have you smoked? Thise scene as the entire movie was hilarious. I can't stop laughing watching this shit. You call this scary? ARe you people brain washed?
Why this film did not win best picture is beyond belief. The Sting could not have wiped The Exorcist Shoes! Should of been: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress.
This scene wouldn’t have been half as effective without Mercedes McCambridges’s peerless vocals. They royalty screwed her over when they didn’t have her name in the credits. That was nasty.
First read this book when I was 14. I credit it with motivating me to study Psychology. Reading the book alone at that age, I slept with the lights on, lol. First time I saw the movie, it was a midnight showing a few years later at a repertory theater. When I got home, I kept seeing Regan's eyes everytime I closed mine. Didn't sleep very well.
Blatty wrote this on a secluded cabin in the woods.. often in the 3am hour. I don't know how he did it without scaring the hell out of himself in the process..
La mejor película de terror de todos los tiempos !! Y una de las mejores de la historia del Cine , increíble como una película sin Actores tan conocidos logro tal impacto hasta el día de Hoy Obra maestra
My favorite movie of all time... hard to believe Linda was only thirteen at the time..she should of won award for this performance..with out the devil voice from Mercedes it wouldn't have as strong an impact
My own opinion, just mine, the build up to the possession is really edge of your seat brilliant. The sounds, the music, the silence, the jump scene in the attic, the camera moving down the hallway as if following something or someone. Those were scary, tense, moments. Also the mother seems to be often overlooked but she was outstanding. At times a real witch but...HEY she had reason to be.
this shit still scares me in 2019 at 50 fukkin yrs old, thats crazy..... an im not really afraid of to much but dammit........now i godda go turn the light on.....
@@paulanthony5274 yaa but you gotta remember back in those days kids cursing In movies wasnt the norm. Especially in films that aren't meant for comedy So this was shock value now of course it's funny and little can horror movies scare this generation because we are desensitized completely
0:31 I bet Mercedes McCambridge belted the exact same thing to the director of Johnny Guitar about Joan Crawford. 1:44 I'm sure McCambridge said to Joan Crawford to her face.
Seabee156 well if watched casually, The exorcist was a big laugh riot... But watch it carefully and intellectually (Read the novel if you wish) and then You'll see the horror... It might give you sleepless nights
Seabee156 novel... Yeah... Can Say.... it's slow (as expected... every novels are slow) but still quite gripping and intense... It's terrifying... Way too terrifying... and though the story is quite good.. Mr. Blatty's style makes it quite engrossing *PREPARE TO BE AFRAID*
St Michael the arch angel defend us in the day of battle be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil may God rebuke him I humble pray and you prince of the heavily host cast into hell satan and all his demons who wonder the world for the ruins of soul Amen
