Harry Situation Reviews: The Exorcist
Hey everyone.
By now you've probably noticed that I posted the death of author William Peter Blatty, best known for his work of writing one of the scariest books of all time, The Exorcist. It is unfortunate to hear of his passing. While I may have never read the book but I did see the acclaimed horror film, which Blatty wrote the script for and won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. So to honor him, here's my tribute to the late, talented author. A review of what is now considered to be one of the scariest movies ever made. And it just seems so fitting that it's on Friday the 13th, isn't it?
The Exorcist was the classic horror movie released back in 1973, and based on the novel that also claims it was based on a real event. It was directed by William Friedkin, best known for films such as The French Connection and Killer Joe, with, as mentioned before, the author himself who wrote the screenplay. The story is pretty familiar by now. A girl named Regan (played by Linda Blair) gets possessed by a demon so two priests, Father Damien Karras (played by Jason Miller) and Father Lankester Merrin (played by Max von Sydow), are called in to perform an exorcism to save the girl's soul.
I think what works best for the film is that the tension and the scares slowly build throughout and it delivers at the perfect moment, the moment where you least expect it. It was also visually terrifying as well. Seeing a sweet, innocent girl deteriorate into a disgusting, zombie-like monstrosity is actually hard to watch. More disturbing was watching her stab her vagina with a crucifix. Thanks for the nightmares, movie!
The performances are superb. Jason Miller excellently portrays Father Damien as a priest who seems to be loosing his faith due to his depression and passing of his mother. Max von Sydow was excellent as Father Merrin, kinda serving as like the wise old mentor like he knows a lot about what's going on. Megaprops to Linda Blair's portray as Regan. From kind and innocent to fucked up and terrifying over the course of the entire film. And yeah, you've probably guessed it by now. Regan from Sins of the Father is undoubtedly a reference to Regan from The Exorcist. But you've got to admit, it was a clever reference.
I love the atmosphere the movie has. Most of the scares take place in a house but there's something about that house that screams horror. Even the music helps step the film's tone that brings viewers into the dark side of the supernatural. Hell, that opening piano music is catchy too!
You also have to give props to the special effects team back then because it is amazing how well they hold up today. From possessed Regan spitting up green vomit to her head making a complete rotation like the earth, those were some damn good special effects.
The Exorcist to this day is still considered one of the scariest movies of all time, and it's not hard to see why. Everything about this film just screams the perfect horror movie. I loved watching the first time and I look forward every Halloween to watch it again and again. Oh, I should probably talk about the sequels and prequels too. They suck! Oh, and I have one thing to say about the TV show: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!
Final Grade: A+
So, have you seen The Exorcist? Were you scared? Please be kind, leave a like and comment below, and check back again for more awesome reviews!
"We mourn the blossoms of May because they are to whither; but we know that May is one day to have its revenge upon November, by the revolution of that solemn circle which never stops---which teaches us in our height of hope, ever to be sober, and in our depth of desolation, never to despair."
-William Peter Blatty, The Exorcist