To answer your question about how audiences reacted to this movie, I saw it the night it opened in large sold out theater. When her head turned around, several people ran out of the theater screaming. During the split pea vomit scene, a woman three seats to my right vomited and also ran from the theater. I stayed for the entire movie but when I got home, I turned on every light in the house and played loud music until three in the morning. I absolutely loved it and saw it six more times in the next two weeks. Great, great movie.
Thank you for confirming what I had heard about audience reactions. This movie raised a standard for psychological thrillers that are still tough to reach. Even after all this time. Glad you loved it. I do, too.
You mention that you thought Father Merrin was in his 70s. Max Von Sydow was in his 40s when this was filmed. So that’s a testament to the makeup/special effects
There are a LOT of things you caught in this reaction that many people miss. Some of the more intelligent commentary I've heard on RU-vid actually. Perhaps you ARE a wizard!
I thought the exact same thing. Not many people catch the fact that the character in the "You're gonna die up there." scene was as astronaut. It's pretty clear in the book, but only alluded to in the film. I love that he was able to tell something was up between the loud scenes vs. the quiet scenes. Not many people catch the fact that there was practically NO music in the background. Our dear reactor KNEW something was "off".....just wasn't able to put his finger on it. I love a reactor that actually pays attention!
Absolutely. But to be fair this movie has so much subtlety to it that a second and even third viewing is often necessary to really catch everything. This guy is the best reaction I’ve seen though. I love watching people getting disturbed part way through when I know it’s only going to get worse 😅
From what I understand, directors typically don't like to hold the camera on child actors for very long, because they're usually not very good actors. The fact that they stay so long on Linda Blair shows how good she was
I was 14 in 1974 and watched it on the big movie screen ,LATE SHOW, loud and close to the screen. I kept the lights on at night for 3 days! Friend of mine went home and when the commercial of the movie advertised ,he had to jump off his bed to turn off the TV.(No, we didn't have TV remotes back then). All the reactors on youtube, have all been conditioned, with countless years of spoofs on SNL and comedy shows. NO matter who sees it for the first time, no one can replicate the same conditions we experienced back then. This is the only movie, in cinema history that combined one of the most terrifying psychological effects,along with oscar winning best picture quality made. Superb acting and character development.
@@evanwithouts4649 And that character is meant to be the same astronaut played by Scott Wilson in the great and underappreciated The 9th Configuration, directed by Blatty.
@@evanwithouts4649 Yes, Blatty has said that character in The Exorcist is Billy Cutshaw (Scott Wilson) in The Ninth Configuration. I haven't read any of the books.
The Exorcist was a cultural event that year. I don't know anyone that didn't wait in line to see it. The reactions of the audiences were as unnerving as the movie. Pandemonium was breaking out in theaters across the country. I'm not exaggerating. The decade before and the decade after The Exorcist was a great time for us horror movie fans.
The interesting thing is that it came out the day after Christmas. So you could have a jolly Christmas celebration one day and then go get completely freaked out at the most disturbing movie ever released at the time the next!
25:31: "How the fuck did audiences handle this, like, 30 years ago?" Well, FIFTY years ago, when the film first came out, audiences handled it by puking, screaming loudly and becoming uncontrollably hysterical.
I saw this the night it opened. I stood in line for three hours to get in, the theater was packed. The woman sitting next to me who I didn't know apologized to me after the film because she kept squeezing my arm during the intense parts.
This movie isn't about a girl with "the Devil" in her. it's about Karras dealing with his mothers death and finding his faith again. Faith in what? I don't know, but he died for it. That's worth something.
You *Don't* wanna know how much I'm willing to wager they'd either wait until after the first chase - During which the gun battle takes place - or not even have opening credits.
Max Von Sydow (Father Merrin) was actually just 43 years old during filming. They used make up effects to make him look older. Great, smart analysis although I wish you would have watched the original cut without that stupid conversation at the end. In the original cut, the priest just looks down the long stairway, turn around, and as he starts walking, the Tubular Bells score starts playing again. Then the credits start rolling. You got a new subscriber.
Damien’s death was ruled an attempted suicide, but he was able to receive last rites while still conscious and according to catholic tradition, he was saved for heaven.
FYI these reactions are being released in a different order than they were recorded. This is the Extended Director's Cut of The Exorcist (1973) Reaction starts at 2:47 Watch the uncut version on Patreon: www.patreon.com/KyleKatarnChannel Happy Spooktober! 🎃🎃🎃
At least you got the ending correct. Most reactors miss the point. Karras sacrifices his life to save someone he never met. Remember, he never met Reagan, only the demon!
There's a short doc on RU-vid called The Cultural Impact of The Exorcist. It has news footage of people standing in line for hours. Patrons leaving the theater shaking, overwhelmed, some even faint.
My fave of all time. Once you get past the shock, it's the best drama ever filmed. A mother's anguish. An innocent child and two strangers will to go to extreme lengths to save her.
Most people don't get the subtle references that Father Dyer was in love with Father Karras. That actor was an actual priest who acted on the side. When he's giving Karras the last rights, the director thought he wasn't crying properly so he asked the actor for permission to try something. The actor said okay and Friedkin slapped him across the face. That brought the appropriate tears that Friedkin wanted.
You’ve got a new subscriber here. This movie came out when I was a young child. It was re-released when I was a preteen and I saw it. I slept with my light on for about 2 months lol. Looking back I realize I was too young and as a result, was fairly traumatized. It affected me deeply. Still I’ve seen it more times than I know and I’ve watched many reactions here on it but I was impressed by your insightful and analytical review scene to scene. You’re also super knowledgeable and witty. I really enjoyed this reaction. Thanks Edit: seems we all hav the same slow time syndrome. You kept saying the movie was 30 years ago. It’s 50. Yeah…I need to lie down lol.
@@paulascott5701 oh I believe it. I was 11 when I saw it. As Reagan in the movie was 12, I was terrified of my 12th birthday. Don’t know if you’re aware that the book was based on a real case of a Maryland boy in the 1940s.
It's funny you mentioned how relatable the house looked because that was the intent. Friedkin didn't want to shoot in LA or a creepy house, he wanted it to be modern to drive home this point of current meeting these very arcaic belief systems and how this can happen even in a "modern" metropolis like Georgetown.
Regan was playing with the Ouija board with "Captain Howdy". That's how she was possessed. (to answer your question) I was a freshman in college when the movie came out. I remember the tremendous response to the movie. Many people said the medical procedures they showed in the movie were the most disturbing things in the movie. Regan's foul language was a big shock to many people. That type of language wasn't in TV or movies and people showed more control back then. Language like that from a young girl was like a punch to the face. The medallion was a St. Joseph medal. St. Joseph is the patron saint of families. It keeps families together and safe. When Fr. Karras and Regan were struggling on the floor, Regan tears the medal away and the unprotected priest says, "Come into me!" The demon is free to enter Fr. Karras.
Excellent reaction! Please skip over part 2 (It's not good in most opinions, including mine) and react to The Exorcist 3 from 1990. Part 3 expands on the relationship of Father Dyer and Lieutenant Kinderman formed at the end of this masterpiece. In Part 3, The role of Lieutenant Kinderman is portrayed by the legendary award winning actor George C. Scott. Exorcist 3 is a must watch after experiencing the original. Edited to add a chilling fact that often gets missed: When Regan's head first spins, that's Burke's voice speaking through Regan that says "Do you know what she did?" implying that this is exactly what she did to him before pushing him out the window. Burke was found "at the bottom of the steps with his head turned completely around, facing backwards." Creepy.
The reason most people rewatch The Exorcist again year after year is that they will never experience a real exorcism, but they will experience the death of one or both of their parents. The Karras side of the story is the one that those people relate to and why they'll watch the Exorcist over and over again like "The Seventh Seal". The exorcism is just a metaphor for the guilt that Karras, and most people, experience from the death of a parent. That makes The Exorcist more than just a horror movie, it's also one of the few outstanding existential films in the history of cinema.
You have the best reaction to this movie of anyone Ive ever seen. You even noticed the astronaut. Their is a separate book and movie about his character called the Ninth Configuration. The movie is directed by William Peter Blatty the author of the Exorcist. I highly recommend it along with Legion the Exorcist 3. Exorcist 3 is the only authentic sequel to the Exorcist, its also directed by Blatty and is almost as good as the original.
50 years later and The Exorcist is still the most shocking horror film ever made. They set the standard for every movie featuring demon possession. No movie before or since has come even close. But i still consider Aliens and Psycho to be better movies in general.
The demon planned it... It knew Merrin would come... It foreshadowed it... When Damien asked if it wanted an exorcism, it replied, "it would bring US together, " meaning it meant for Damien to take it in... It planned to have him as a host
The reason for the open window... in the book (which was even scarier) a demon possessed Regan kept getting out of the house and vandalizing things. She was responsible for the vandalization of the statue in the church, but I guess they didn't have time to explore it further in the movie. You'd have to assume she was leaping from the window and crawling back inside like Gollum.
OK. First, I'm subscribing. This was easily the most cogent reaction to The Exorcist I've seen, and I think I've seen em all. You are remarkably quick, widely informed, and pretty damned funny. So, there's that. Love ya. But, I got excited and went to check out your other reactions, and there's no other movies, just TV shows and trailers. PLEASE use your powers for good, and keep giving us this kind of quality reactions to quality films. You do that and you will build a subscriber base, I guarantee, you're that good. Thank you for this, I had a great time with you.
25:14 that was an actual injury that was caught on film. There was a wire holding Ellen the entire time in this scene and the second she gets slapped, Chris flies across the room and the wire was supposed to gently guide her down on the ground, and of course, fake an injury. However it broke and that is how she ended up with a permanent injury. Dude, you gotta hear the horror story behind the scenes that happened before, during and after filming the movie too. They say both the film and the set was haunted badly
This movie was based on a real situation of 14 year old boy in 1948. In this movie, it is implied that something may have been brought over by playing with the ouija board. As Damien said, performing exorcisms dropped drastically once the church caught up with the sciences, mental health, etc., so it was good (although harrowing) that all the scientific avenues were explored and refused before turning to the religious. It is said that being an exorcist takes a heavy toll in mind, body, and spirit but it's even worse for the exorcist if they fail so, Father Merrin knew the spirit would be back for him eventually as, indeed, he started getting the signs in Iraq with the discovery of the head of the statuette and the large statue that seemed to appear out of nowhere; he knew it was going to be decided once and for all.
When you said that it looks like the mother is going into Hell at the nightmare scene makes the fact that possessed Regan saying that Karass’ mother was in there with them all the more terrifying. And when Merrin says that the demon will also mix truth into the lies also adds to the thought that Karass’ mother might actually be in Hell.
Sorry for the late reply, I've been meaning to respond properly to your reaction. I think the thing that makes The Exorcist so effective is that it was never filmed as an actual horror movie, and indeed both the Director and the Screenwriter/Author have both said it isn't a horror movie. William Peter Blatty described it as a supernatural detective story, and William Friedkin described it as both a drama with horror elements, and a theological thriller. Blatty specifically wanted more of a documentary style feel to the film as well, which is why he suggested Friedkin as Director, and William Friedkin chose to film the script in a very realistic, step by step of how you would conceivable get to the point of Exorcism, kind of way (which again adds to the realism and unsettling nature of the film). Another huge point in the film's favour was that William Friedkin decided to be very respectful and authentic towards the aspects of Catholicism in the film. One of the biggest mistakes Director's make when dealing with Catholicism in movies is a tendency to just basically take Protestant Christianity and throw a few Catholic trappings on top of that, whereas Friedkin really did his best to ensure a far more genuine approach. Some behind the scenes stuff: Father Dyer (Karras's friend whose idea of heaven is a solid white nighclub) was played by an actual Jesuit Priest, Father William O'Malley, who passed away this year. William Friedkin literally slapped him in order to get the performance he needed at the end when Father Dyer has to give Karras the Last Rites. The older Priest Karras talks to in the bar, when he says 'I think I've lost my faith, Tom" was played by Father Tom Birmingham (also a Jesuit priest). Father Birmingham was also one of the technical advisers on set, to ensure that things like the Exorcism scene were as accurate as possible. Because it was such a long production as well (around 15 months) there were some issues that happened on set (technical problems, a set burnt down, some of the older actors passed away after shooting their scenes, other cast and crew members had family die during filming) and this lead to people believing the production was somehow cursed. Father Birmingham was approached for assistance with this, and his attitude was basically, "Guys, it's a long shoot, stuff is going to happen, these are all just coincidental and natural occurrences. He did decide to give a very basic blessing and a speech about the love of God though, just to try and destress everyone. The scene where Linda Blair flies of the bed when the two Doctors are there was done by strapping her into a safety harness, and then basically having a piston mechanism within the bed that lifted her up and down. Unfortunately during one take the safety harness slipped and she ended up getting pretty badly banged up. No one at the time realised she was actually screaming for help until they called cut and realised she'd been injured. According to Linda Blair that is the take that made it into the movie, although having seen the behind the scenes footage I'm not entirely sure on that. Ellen Burstyn (Chris MacNeil) was also seriously injured on set during the crucifix scene. She was on a wire that was designed to cause her to look like she flew across the room when Regan hit her. Friedkin told the guy controlling the wire rig to pull hard, which he did, and Ellen Burstyn ended up slamming into the floor with enough force to injure her back. That scream she gives isn't her acting, it's her grabbing her back and screaming in genuine pain. She had to go to hospital and ended up with long term back issues after that stunt. The scene where the phone rings and Father Karras is startled, Friedkin decided the best way to get the right performance from Jason Miller was to fire off a gun onset. Jason Miller was pissed off with that, essentially giving Friedkin a dressing down and saying. "You hired me as an actor, I know my job, I don't need you pulling stupid stunts to get a performance out of me". The angiogram (or at least the 70s version) scene was so realistic that some hospitals used it in their training of medical students after the film was released. It was shot in an actual hospital, and the scene was performed by an proper radiographer assisted by other radiology technicians. Speaking of radiology technicians, one of them (youngish looking guy with blonde hair and a beard) was Paul Bateson. He would later go on to be arrested for murder, after the stabbing and beating death of a Variety reporter named Addison Verrill. He was also one of the main suspects in the New York "Bag Murder" serial killings, and supposedly confessed and then recanted at one point. William Friedkin's 1980 film, Cruising (starring Al Pacino) was inspired by a conversation he had with Bateson in jail about the murders (albeit with the film itself being based on a novel written in 1970).
I interpreted it as the demon was trying to kill Father Merrin when the carriage nearly ran over him in Iraq, not that he was being absent minded, or “off in space” as you put it.
An emotional, analytical, cinematic, and cultural review. Good job, my friend! Too few see the brilliance of the filmmaking, and only concentrate on the "spectacle" aspect.
Subscribed. Awesome reaction. The Exorcist is so much more than just a horror film. It is not only a horror film but rather a film that depicted horrific events. It is uneasy suspense with a buildup that emotionally explodes. Its great story telling with incredible raw performances by all. It's horror/drama that is serious, relentless, and powerful. It's about doubt, faith, guilt, sacrifice, desperation, love, redemption, heartbreaking loss and science versus the human condition. A mother who has no religious beliefs, desperately seeks help from a guilt ridden priest who has lost his faith. The movie won the Oscar for best screenplay for good reasons.
I spent all of my life literally too terrified of this movie to appreciate what it was on a cinematic level. Ive tried for the last few years to watch documentaries and such to see it on a more mechanical side. Not only is it an absolutely brilliant film, but it actually is a powerful love story. I spent so much time feeling the evil, that I missed that God wins in the end. A lot of loss, but Karas was a bada$$. Just an absolute beast.
My parents would let me watch just about any horror movie as a kid, except for The Exorcist and I Spit On Your Grave. I saw just about everything else and I remember wanting to stay up to watch the 11 o'clock news so it could kind of reset my brain and I'd be able to go to sleep. Watching the news was like watching a sitcom compared to some of these movies, seeing the familiar news anchor, etc.
Was able to see this in the theater for the 50th anniversary last night after a dozen or more viewings at home, you absolutely dissected this thing, you catch so much detail. Subbed!
ON THE ASTRONAUT: Growing up, we always heard the book & film were based on an actual case (true), the child was male (true), and it occurred in Europe (false). The young man actually went on to have a very long and successful career with NASA, working on the Apollo missions and even the Space Shuttle. He did, however, live his life in fear of his identity being revealed, in particular to his colleagues at NASA. It was not; he passed a little over a year before it was revealed. I personally find it yet another example of filmmaking genius- the oh-so-subtle nod to the IRL individual- Regan speaking directly to the Astronaut. It’s actually quite impressive it was so well kept under wraps as the priests involved took copious amounts of notes across 2 states as the family moved- and they only changed the young man’s first name by flipping 2 letters and his last to Doe. Of course, it would likely be near impossible today. His name is now out there, easily found w a search; it’s just a personal choice not to publicly declare it. He did once tell an individual w whom he was especially close: ‘I was never possessed; I was merely a rather mischievous and even naughty boy.’ So there’s that lol The film holds up amazingly well 50yrs later- wish I could say same for self😂😩 Maybe that’s bc the power of fries compel me🤷♀️🍟 What a FANTASTIC, thoughtful reaction! SUBSCRIBED😊 Stay safe & love big💖
Fr. Damian was not in boxing shape. He boxed as a teenager. By the time of the exorcism he would have had to have gotten a bachelors, attended seminary, gone to medical school and studied to become a psychiatrist. He’d be around his early thirties by then at best.
You said "How did audiences handle this 30 years ago??" It was 50 years ago when this movie came out. You should watch the documentary on audience reactions
One of the background actors is Paul Bateson. He was sentenced to murder (he’s out of jail now). But he is suspected of being a serial killer of gay men in NYC. The director (Friedkin) of the Exorcist later visited him in prison. Friedkin later made Cruising - about a serial killer of gay men in NYC.
I watched this as a 6-7yr old in 1980-81. I have no idea why my mom allowed me to sit with her and her friends and watch this. I was sooo young. Dude. Traumatized. I can barely watch this as an adult. The makeup on linda blair....whew . Amazingly scary.
“Not of the same period” implies that the object does not belong in a dig so ancient and untouched. The object was a St. Christopher’s medal - from more recent Christian times. There is no way it could or should have been in a dig of Nebuchadnezzar’s tomb (which, by the way, was built on top of King David’s tomb as a gesture of dominance). It was the same medal Lankaster Merrin had with him at the MacNeil’s home.
As it's been mentioned, I'm so happy you recognized that when Reagan said, "You're going to die up there." You knew it was to the astronaut! So many people don't catch that. Sometimes these reactions are annoying. They're so busy talking and trying to anticipate everything they missed important parts of the movie! A little trivia for ya. Damien always will be seen ascending. And that was intentional. The Oija board is how it all started. Remember Reagan chatting with "Mr. Howdy". It took Father Caris (sp?) months in the last exorcism. You made me laugh at the title at the end. 😄 There is a special here on RU-vid, that shows what the audiences did go through when it was debuted. In some cases nurses would be at the theater. The catholic church had more people join at once than ever before. And there wasn't much marketing needed because it became that known that word of mouth really is what did it for this movie.
What you just saw was NOT what audiences saw in 1973. This was a re-vamped and souped up version that came out in the late '90's or early '00's and subtitled "the version you never saw." Lots of unnecessary gimmickry added in including several additional flashes of "that face." I must say I enjoyed your reaction though.
Very perceptive - ascending and descending are repeated themes in this film. Light and dark as well. During the eerie subway / street dream, you can easily read the lips of the son and mother… “Daimi” and “Mama” are simple lip-reading words.
Excellent reaction mate, for a 50 yr old movie it still packs a punch, I’ve seen plenty of reactions to this and a lot just don’t pay attention and miss the little details or purposely sneer at it, there’s a brilliant documentary called The Fear Of God by a British film critic Mark Kermode with interviews with all the cast, Friedkin, Blatty, the practical effects and even the two real life priests, as I say enjoyed that, instant sub
What an excellent reaction. So much respect and attention you gave this film. I hope you can watch films like Hereditary, The Babadook and The Witch next! Modern classics that definitely deserve a seat at the table of the greats.
Bahaha! U got me. I just found u today & didn’t know u, so when they pulled up the films of Regan’s brain & u said “brain looks normal” I thought “oh shit, is this guy a doctor?”😃🤭
Jump scares are crap. I’m not at all saying I don’t jump. I’m saying they’re cheap and easy. They’re a dime a dozen, and they don’t make a good horror movie. Upon reviewing a movie that relies on jump scares, you know they’re coming. The Exorcist is psychological horror, and as such, it’s infinitely superior as horror.
New sub here! Your reaction to this iconic film was the absolute best I’ve seen along with your spot on interpretations of what was happening to Regan.
I was 13 years old when I first saw this movie, sneaking into the theater with my older sister. I've seen this movie countless times since, and it still gives me the chills. Imagine the audiences seeing this in the early 70's. LOL. This film definitely brings out the 'Catholic' in me.
You know this was a huge bestselling book before it was a movie. That meant millions of people who didn t care for jorror saw it, just as they had Rosemary's Baby in 1968. But except for those 2, jorror was generally a gothic cartoon of one dimensional characters. No one since has seen an A-list movie that took evil as seriiusly as this movie did. Not before or since.
Unquestionably the most intelligent, most perceptive reaction I've ever seen to "The Exorcist". I'm immensely impressed. The only thing I noticed that you didn't seem to get was the clay figure that Lt. Kinderman finds at the bottom of the steps to M Street. It was not the demon head that Fr. Merrin found in Iraq, but was a partially finished figure made by Regan and dropped there accidentally by her on one of the nights that she has been sneaking out of her window as she did when she committed the desecration in the church, therefore her window being found open frequently. Her nocturnal activities indicate that the possession has been going on for quite a while stemming from when she first found the Ouija board.
Fun fact: In order to get the performance that Father William O'Malley gave when he gives Damien the last rites, director William Friedkin slapped the shit out of him.
There are several videos here on RU-vid showing people reacting to this movie in the theater when it came out. People passing out in the auditorium, being carried out on stretchers, crying in the lobby. It is very intense. Even viewed through the lens of a person in 2023 there are some parts that are very disturbing.
Just watched your video. Nicely done. I originally saw this movie in Jan 1974. I didn't sleep well for a few weeks. I had to see the movie again to really watch it, because it was so shocking at the time. In the 70's even with an R rating cursing was still rare and I believe it was the first time in a commercial movie the word fuck had been used. Shock value today has a higher bar to meet. The version you were showing wasn't the original shown in 1973-74. That movie only had one subliminal image of the demon (at least as I remember) and the spider walk was also absent. To this day it is one of my favorite yet uncomfortable movies seen. Your reaction video is the best I have seen, thanks.
As a man who's seen this movie in 1975 in theater, when I was 7 (YES 7!), and as a movie collector for a 40 years now, I can say, first, that The exorcist is the best horror movie ever, and that never will be better horror movie than this. Also it's one of the best movies at all. Second, I can recommend you some other horrors from 70s and 80s... The thing, Halloween 1, Poltergeist, The fog, The omen and Amytiville 2: The possession. Third, just for fun, there is a list of 6 best movies of all time, but just FOR ME: 1. Titanic 2. Braveheart 3. Schindler's list 4. Shawshank redemption 5. Gladiator 6. The green mile Greetings from Croatia!
Great reaction... not sure if anyone else pointed it out, but the object the detective picks up at the bottom of the stairs is not the same item that is found at the archeological site. I've seen others question "how it got there." A second viewing will show it's different. Oh, and if you have any interest in the history of the film, a good book to pick up that just came out: The Exorcist Legacy, by Nat Segaloff.
We get onscreen titles telling the audience that we are in Iraq and Georgetown. However, there is no onscreen title telling the audience when the scene shifts to New York City. Father Damian's mother lives in New York City. Audience members familiar with NYC, will immediately recognize the location. However, I think many audience members may not realize when the scene shifts from Georgetown to NYC.
Holy crap... another Wizard! I watch a bunch of these reaction videos, but you're the first person I've ever seen really understand things and have knowledge outside of the film from the real world that applies to the film (EDIT: I should add, not just about The Exorcist, but about movies in general... also, it seems like you have a good handle on filmmaking as well! Intriguing!). It almost never happens. Subscribed!
Yes, I saw this opening night, Dec. 26, 1973 (50 years ago!). This was unlike any movie any of us had ever seen before. And yes, audience members were screaming and running out of the theatre. I was a senior in high school and I went with about 10 other guys from school, and by the end of the movie we were all under our seats screaming like a bunch of little girls! I only wished you would have watched the original theatrical version instead of 'The Director's Cut'. The added scenes were completely unnecessary and ruined the pacing of the film.
I love watching you younger people discover this incredible movie. And I love watching you get disturbed half way through when I know it’s only going to get so much worse 😅
