The Exorcist

Movie Title--  The Exorcist

Release Year--  1973

Running Time--  2 Hours and 2 Minutes

Director--  William Friedkin

Cast--  Linda Blair, Ellen Burstyn, Max von, Sydow, Jason Miller, William O'Malley, Jack McGowran

A teenage girl is possessed by a demon and after trying to scientifically cure her daughter fails, Chris McNeil seeks the help of two priests to banish the demon and save her daughter.

In northern Iraq a priest and archaeologist, Lankester Merrin (Max von Sydow), discovers a pendant with the image of the evil demon Pazuzu that matches a statue not far from the dig site.  Merrin defeated Pazuzu years earlier and takes this as a sign that the time has come to take on this demon once again.

Actress Chris McNeil (Ellen Burstyn) has moved her teenage daughter Regan (Linda Blair) to Georgetown, Washington D.C. so that she can work on a film she is starring in.  Chris sees a Ouija board and asks Regan if she has ever played with it.  Regan replies that she plays with it all the time and that she asks the questions and her imaginary friend "Captain Howdy" moves the planchette.  Chris soon starts to see subtle changes in Regan that become alarmingly more and more noticeable and frightening.  

Chris takes Regan to see a doctor and very quickly gets more and more opinions on what is happening to her daughter.  All the tests and x-rays that are given to Regan come back as negative and all the doctors are confused by this result.  In reality, Regan is now possessed by the demon Pazuzu that has pretended to be "Captain Howdy".

After the director of Chris' film, Burke Dennings (Jack McGowran), dies from mysteriously falling from Regan's window with no one witnessing the event, Chris begins to suspect Regan of killing him.  After Regan attacks a psychiatrist, the doctors suggest that if Regan thinks she is possessed, then an exorcism may be in order to trick her into becoming her normal self again.

Chris seeks out Father Damien Karras (Jason Miller), who is having a crisis of faith himself, to come and examine her daughter.  After visiting with Regan a few times Father Karras determines that Regan truly does need an exorcism and Father Lankester Merrin is called in to help once again banish Pazuzu and save young Regan's life.

I enjoyed this film.  I, of course, have seen it before but watching it this time I couldn't help but think of being a kid or teenager when this film debuted in 1973 and actually being in the theater watching it.  It is startling and even frightening at times but back in 1973, I am sure I would have been terrified.

This is another film based on a true story, which to me personally, if it is based off a true story it always seems creepier.  The acting in the film is just excellent, which just pulls you into the story and makes you feel like you are actually there with them and that just helps to contribute to the whole feel of the film and creating a great experience for the viewer.

This is another one of those films that helped to create the horror genre that we have today.  I suggest this one be watched with the lights off and all electronic devices stowed so that it doesn't distract from the film but Don't Forget the Popcorn!