The Exorcist
“The scariest movie of all time” is what it’s been called, and in my opinion it still is. With its graphics, make up and special effects, “The Exorcist”, first released in 1973, may look tame compared to today’s horror films. But it still packs a punch almost forty years later.
I first saw this classic in my mid teens, but had heard of it in the school yard before then. I watched it again this past week, to help me write this review with fresh eyes, and its amazing how even after several viewings, the film still grabs a hold of me.
Right from the very beginning, we the audience feel unsettled, and this is due to the stark and haunting music. If you’ve not seen “The Exorcist” before, I’ll give you its set-up, but if you have seen it, indulge me while I take you through the story. An old man assists at a large digging site in Northern Iraq. A young boy runs through the dust and sand to tell him they’ve found something. The old man arrives at the discovery and pulls a small ornament out of a hole in the ground. Whatever it is, he is instantly spooked by seeing it. His hunch about what it might mean, takes him to a nearby site of ancient ruins. Once there, he stands face to face with a grotesque looking statue. The unsettling music kicks back in and again, we the viewer have the feeling there is a force of power at play here; and that power is evil.
From the heart of the Middle East, we are whisked away to the other side of the world. In Georgetown, the rich, privileged and prominent university district of Washington D.C., a film is being made on campus. The lead actress shoots a scene amongst hundreds of extras and onlookers. Like it was all just a day’s work for her, she returns home and is greeted happily by her young daughter Regan. Also working and residing in Georgetown, is a priest named Damian Karras. Without him having to utter a word at our first glance of him, we can see he is a troubled soul. His weary face, raggedy hair and frowning appearance speak louder than any words could. In between sermons, he visits his elderly mother, who lives alone in New York City. As he goes about his simple and orderly life, something is brewing under the surface of this man, but we don’t know what exactly.
Simultaneously, we move between these characters, as their lives unfold and strange events occur which will soon bring them all together.
Regan begins displaying unusual behaviours, so her ever concerned mother takes her for a check up. At first, it just seems like hyperactivity, but then Regan’s physical appearance begins to deteriorate. Several tests take place to determine the cause. During one such examination, Regan lies still on a bed and sees a flashing image of a pale face, protruding from the darkness. His eyes are red, his teeth rotten and his angry stare is directed straight into the young girls soul. After numerous physical analyses turn up nothing, and with Regan’s state getting worse, psychiatrists are brought in. Again, they cannot determine the case of the 12 year olds offensive language, immense anger and the fact she appears to be housing a split personality. With her mother at her wits end and desperate for the truth, a room full of surgeons, doctors and psychiatrists suggest one last possibility to her.
“Have you ever heard of Exorcism Mrs. McNeill?” one of them asks. This concept is unheard of to the woman, but given nothing else has worked, she takes Regan home in the last hope that whatever is occupying her mind and body, can be removed. Father Karras is referred to Regan’s case and meets her moth. After visiting Regan, he sees with his own eyes that young girl is most likely possessed.
The Exorcist remains a classic to this day. From start to finish, it is wrought with tension, and this is delivered in its tight script, excellent acting and the stark and harsh style in which it is all visualised on screen. The title character of the film turns out to be the old man we met at the dig site in Iraq, who is called upon to personally handle this new case of possession. As Father Karras has seen the extent of Regan’s state, he puts his faith back in God to assist The Exorcist to remove the Devil himself, from the soul of this little girl.
The final act of the film, in which our two revered priests enter Regan’s bedroom and come face to face with evil itself, is what made this film the terrifying experience it is so well known for. We the viewers, journey into this room, and are trapped in there as the two men carry out the exorcism to salvage what they can of Regan’s humanity. The acting, visuals and overall feeling of dread in this scene makes for powerful and impacting movie making.
What else can I say really? The Exorcist is a classic. Not up there as a masterpiece, but it certainly comes close as it still scares, shocks and provokes you, right to the closing credits leaving you with a sense of fear and unease.
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