Hello! First of all: A very good Reaction-Video to this iconic Movie! Secondly: Feeling unconfortable, having Goosebumps still after the Movie & never forget what you've seen...that makes a Movie iconic in my opinion! You're a nice person you make cool Video's...that's why I liked & subscribed!😌
There are so many things missed by reactors too young to realize things were different when this movie was made. It was the first of its kind - first possession movie - first with the graphic language - and it was BASED on a true story. It was a huge success in movie theaters across the country - so huge that dozens of inferior movies about demons and possession followed wherein there were NONE previous to this. Never seeing a movie like this had people fainting and having anxiety attacks in theaters across the country. Also, of all the movies about demons and possession - this was by far the best in terms of movie production, writing, acting, music, etc. Young reactors miss most of these things because they weren't there.
It's not just a great horror movie. It's up there with the very best films in every technical sense. It's a masterclass in acting and directing. It could easily have come off as corny in the hands of a less capable director. But it has a visceral unsettling effect on the audience unlike anything at the time and since. The Exorcist was beyond shocking and is a film that changed cinema.
"Is my daughter going to die?" "No." I love that moment. After all Father Karras had been through, after we thought we saw him break earlier, that resolve as he heads back up the stairs is such an understated yet awesome moment.
@@novatlas1945 Thanks for supporting what some might consider my exaggerated praise of Karras. And you make a wonderful point about his never being able to know (or even see) the girl he saved. Along with his great heroism, that might be considered his small tragedy. He missed her by, what...five minutes? ten minutes?
The scene with the dogs going savage against each other was symbolism for the devil turning man against brother...Always get me. Excorcist remains in the TOP of the Olympus of the horror films. It is traumatic. Great reaction ^^
I have to say you got it easy watching this film. Imagine seeing this in 1973 when nothing like it came before it. You would have been in a DARK theater, not being able to talk to release any of your stress, fear or anxiety. When this movies was first released in 1973 there were reports of people running out of the theater and passing out. This movie has a realism to it that most modern films don't which heightens the experience. I first watched this movie when I was about 9-10 years old. It was in the late 1970's and me and my brothers were in a department store and my older brother found a VHS tape in the TV/VCR department (it may have been a bootleg), he put it in one of the VCR's and we watched the entire film. For a solid month I was petrified that there would be a demon around every corner. And for about a entire year I couldn't stop thinking about that movie. I'm 53 years old now (Oct 18, 2021) and I still will not watch that film again, even though I believe it to be an exceptionally well made film. Not that it would scare me today but just that it is a very disturbing film to watch.
I've seen the movie about 10 times but read half the book at age 12 and couldn't finish it because I was afraid to continue. In 1974 the movie disturbed me and my sisters 8 and 13 years, we went with 18 year old cousins. They couldn't watch it again but it being the only movie to frighten me propelled me to view it over and over again. It's my favorite horror movie.
At least they used a 24 year old actress for the crucifix defilement scene. Lots of people think that Linda Blair performed that scene.....but the filmmakers weren't completely monstrous.
"I never thought I'd hear a twelve year old say that." Uh oh, that's the easy part. And yes, there were people at the theater that could not stay and finish watching this movie, they had to leave out to the lobby or find the restroom and upchuck. It scared the living hell out of many people when it came out. I think it is still the scariest movie ever made, like in it's own category. It doesn't treat possession or exorcism as a movie trope, it portrays it as visceral as it can be as you note, and it does that incredibly well.
What's really effective about the Exorcist is that it was written and directed as a fairly grounded drama that had supernatural horror elements. Chris exhausts every single scientific/medical explanation for Regan's condition, and Karras himself has doubts about the nature of everything related to it until he can't deny it anymore. I'd say that's why it holds up almost 50 years later because even if it's not necessarily always scary, one is still drawn in by the characters and are disturbed by what's happening to them. That slow build up in the first act allows the eventual exorcism itself to be so effective; the trauma of the scenes is rooted in the fact that a viewer deeply cares about Chris, Regan, & Karras.
I agree 100%! The reason this movie will stay with me is because they developed the characters and their desperation surrounding the possession more than the possession itself. I didn't even complain that they never explained *how* Regan got possessed; I was so invested.
@@ShreeNation I’ve always believed that Regan was possessed because the demon wanted to overtake Karras in order to kill Merrin as revenge for exorcising it elsewhere in the past. Though Karras was vulnerable to attack, as his faith was declining, he is a priest and trained psychiatrist, likely not easily possessed, and like the doctor said to Chris (paraphrasing), “Just as the victim’s belief in possession can invite the demon in, the belief in the power of exorcism can cast it out.” Well, it is stated that Chris and Regan have no religious beliefs. Perfect fodder for a demon, people with no knowledge of what an exorcism is, thereby making their belief in the power of exorcism more or less useless. Karras living on the other side of town wasn’t a coincidence. Chris and Regan being atheist or agnostic was. Regan was merely an easy target to appeal to the priests’ emotions and confound their logic, meaning, people are more likely to help a child (especially a little girl) than they are an adult, as they see the child as much more defenseless. Also, it’s easier to accept that an adult could learn Latin and effectively speak English in reverse in an older, gravelly voice, given their many more years on earth. Not so easy for a child to do. Remember, Merrin said, “The demon will mix lies with the truth to confuse us,” one of the biggest truths being that the exorcism would bring Karras and the demon together, which it did. It likely did not believe that, as a priest, Karras would commit suicide nearly the moment he became possessed. But, in some regards, the demon did win. The little girl was saved, but the priests both died, and honestly, whether Regan lived or died was likely irrelevant to the demon. Again, Regan was just the bait. Karras was vulnerable but couldn’t be as easily possessed until his mind and body had had enough. The higher priests knew Merrin and due to his experience and Karras’s lack of faith, Merrin was the logical choice to lead the exorcism. This was the demon’s plan, to get them all in the same room together, and in doing so, pulled off what it set out to do, just not in the way it intended to do it. Possess the girl, break Karras down enough so it can possess him and now have a much more powerful vessel in which to kill Father Merrin. Merrin’s heart attack and Karras’s subsequent suicide were events the demon didn’t foresee (the audience either, as both priests dying still has an impact on new audiences. As a side note: Though not nearly as good (but a decent film as horror flicks go), The Exorcist 3 (which is the true sequel to the original, not 2) expounds on my theory a bit, as the demon returns in another body, stating that it stayed in Karras just long enough to “jump” out of him and find another host (don’t wanna say too much, as it’s worth a watch and don’t wish to spoil anything). The main characters in the third film are Detective Kinderman, the guy questioning Chris and Karras about Burke’s death (though played by George C. Scott this time around) and Father Dyer (also played by a different actor), the priest who attended Chris’s party and gave Karras his last rites at the bottom of the staircase. It’s got some eerie moments and creepy imagery, a decent storyline and good performances, but it’s jump scares, while effective (but which were becoming more of a trope than a novelty by then) and needless gore sort of put it on par with too many other modern cliched horror films. It was, however, directed by the author of both The Exorcist and Legion (upon which The Exorcist 3 film is based), William Peter Blatty.
Yes it presents it as anyone one would proceed, going to doctors, various tests, some rational explanation as most modern people would search for first. And then it drops off the abyss and there isn't anywhere to hide.
@@ShreeNation Maybe it wasn't made very clear, but if you think back to the scene near the beginning in the basement with the Ouija board - Regan told her mom she had been playing with it. Neither of them knew it at the time of course, but the demon had entered into her via that gateway. You commented yourself how nothing good ever comes from messing with the Ouija board. The Catholic church has long warned that dabbling with the Ouija board can lead to demonic possession. Sorry I'm late with this reply, but I only saw your excellent reaction just now!
The definition of a "horror movie" in 1973 is much different than a "horror movie" today. Much of today's "horror movies" is best described as "slasher movies". They rarely include quality actors, are usually low budget, & are graded by the number of "jump scares" & how many times the "bad person" has to come back & be killed yet again. By now, I am bored & desensitized by today's "horror movies". You may as well title all of them, "1 Million Ways To Violently Kill A Person". Personally, I don't even consider The Exorcist as a horror movie by today's standards. It's a thriller & suspense movie that is quite disturbing. To be thrown in with Jason, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, Texas Chainsaw Massacre horror franchise movies is like comparing apples to oranges. We will never see a movie like The Exorcist anytime soon, if ever.
I saw this at the age of 18, 48 years ago. People were fainting, vomiting, screaming. Dick Smith won an Oscar for the make-up effects in this. The green vomit was split pea soup. LOL. No one had ever seen anything like it before December 1973. I wasn't a believer, but slept in the living room, with the lights on, and a Bible under my pillow for several days.
Haha wow ! Thanks for sharing your story, that’s crazy what you and others experienced, i was born in 85’ and saw the film at 9 years old because my aunts and uncles had the vhs tape and all I thought at the time was “wow! This is a really old movie!” Lol
In spite of rumors people might tell you, Linda Blair was fine after this movie (other than a back injury). She sometimes does personal appearances and signs autographs and she founded an animal rights group which keeps her busy. In fact, when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, Linda Blair went down there and rescued 51 dogs.
The older priest takes Nitroglycerin pills. They are used to prevent chest pain (angina) in people with a certain heart condition (coronary artery disease).
The makeup artist was Dick Smith, one of the legends of the field. Check out his work in "The Hunger" and "Amadeus." Max von Sydow was *44* when he made this movie. Look at images of him then, look at him in this movie, then look at him in "Game of Thrones". The prediction was downright prophetic.
I always associate him with Bergman. You know the producers were aiming at something more than a teen horror flick when they snagged him for the movie....
That unsettling sound you could hear when Father Merrin discovered the idol was a bee trapped in a jar. They're are tons of interviews with William Friedkin on RUclips where he tells about the sound and voice techniques they used. You definitely picked the wrong movie if you have insomnia😂
@@ShreeNation You should check more on the director William Friedkin. His first big movie was The French Connection (1971). One of the most realistic cop movies ever starring Gene Hackman and Roy Schieder (Jaws of course. Also, in a funny way, the Schieder character in The French Connection could be a sort of like a back story to his Chief Brody character, a cop from New York). Friedkin went on to direct Sorcerer (1977). Also starring Roy Schieder about a group of men delivering nitroglycerin in a truck. This movie has more meaning then just a group of men delivering nitro in a truck. Very underrated. Last, but not least, there's The Hunted (2003). Tommy Lee Jones and Benicio Del Toro in a Rambo, First Blood type of movie. Original, in it's own way and excellent. Another very underrated movie, way way underrated.
When the Exorcist came out, I snuck into the theater with my friend and his older brother. I was 8. It was pretty intense at that age and I didn't sleep very well for quite awhile after seeing it. I met Linda Blair in 2018 and let her know how much she affected my childhood. She's quite aware the impact how much her and this film had on the psyche of millions of people worldwide. I got to talk to her for a while and of course got an autographed photo of her as the Demon.
The guy who she told was gonna die up there was the guest of honor at the party, an astronaut. He said he was going to pull his mom out of the hospital. She died at home which must have been a few days later.
Excellent reaction, seriously. Truly enjoyed your analysis and respect for the film and the story. It was a bold masterpiece that was quite risky to present to the public. BTW, a lot of people miss this: Father Carrick at the end with the exorcism is in complete turmoil and not just because of his mother but more because of his crisis in faith. At the start of the exorcism he is still thinking (and wanting to think) it's a psycho problem and scientifically explained, not religious. Then as the supernatural became 100% inexplicable during the actual exorcism, over and over, the reality of the supernatural crushed him, which then made him realize the guilt of having lost faith and not believed earlier, plus the guilt of his mother. At the end of the exorcism, when he says "damn you, come into me!" He is admitting to the audience that he 100% believes again and understands it is in fact a demon and 0% chance it's a psycho problem. No doubt in faith means his absolute faith has been restored at last. he absolves himself and fixes his past sin of not believing, which led arguably to the girl's prolonged suffering (contributed at least), through martyrdom, in the process sending Pazuzu back to hell. (whether it's true martyrdom or suicide, and whether the father goes to heaven or hell with Pazuzu, is NOT a mystery btw, even though many debate this). All sins can be forgiven so long as you are truly remorseful (and still alive to repent). The fact he did not die on impact but was still alive to receive last rites and ask for forgiveness (by squeezing the other priest's hand) means he died with a clean soul. anyway, a lot of people I think miss this character development with him in the last act. all those scenes where he was stunned by what he was seeing was not simply shock at seeing the supernatural but, beyond that, the logical ramifications on his faith and itnernal crisis at seeing those things literally left him dumbfounded and gutted inside. faith in science to faith in god, the final transition before martyrdom.
Really enjoyed your reaction and your honest and transparent discussion. I as a veteran, I have my own issues with sleep and other things. Keep doing your thing and I am glad that I found your page!
My mother, aunts, and some friends went to see this when it first hit the movie theater. She said that was the most traumatic thing she ever experience and she grew up in the Jim Crow south.
The famous "spider walk" scene (performed by a contortionist been held by wires) had to be left out, since there was no possible angle for the camera to keep the wires invisible. Later on, with the advent of technology, the wires where digitally removed and the scene was added back in
@@jimhardiman3836 others talked about this later. They could have used techniques that existed for decades to paint the wires out, but they chose not to bother because the scene was too disturbing anyway.
The man she said "You're gonna die up there." was an astronaut, and would be going into space sometime after the party. The astronaut's further story was told in another novel by William Peter Blatty, the author of the book, and screenwriter of "The Exorcist."
The best films are those which spin against their drive. This is a movie about the redemption of faith, not the loss of it. It is a film about hope, not about despair. It is a film about a man losing his faith and regaining it enough to destroy himself for a young girl he actually never meets. I am an atheist, but I recognize God all around the margins of this film. It is a masterpiece, and Linda Blair was absolutely robbed of the Oscar for her performance. “Long is the way, and hard, that out of Hell leads up to light.”
Same. I don't critique movies that are about religion, because it's real within the universe of the movie, and that's what counts. Just like I enjoy movies about monsters or dragons or unicorns, etc etc. They don't have to be real in real life, to be entertaining in movies.
Congratulations to you for getting all the way through the Exorcist - the only horror film that hits that spot which no other horror film can do. Watch Mark Kermode's documentary of the making of the Exorcist to see why that film was such a classic. Recommended is Exorcist III: Legion
@@ShreeNation And I wouldn't recommend Exorcist 2: The Heretic, better skip that one, it's not worth watching, I wouldn't even consider it canon. Go straight to Legion, written and directed by William Peter Blatty himself.
And if you do, be sure to watch the theatrical release, not the director's cut. I usually prefer DCs, but in this particular case, the theatrical is a more complete and satisfying experience.
This movie came out 4 years before I was born. My dad saw it at the theater. Afterward, he went home, and accidentally stepped on a loose floor board, and the closet door across the room opened. He jumped straight from there, a couple feet, right into his bed and hid under the covers. A grown man. lol
I never do this, but I'm subscribing to your channel after this single time watching you. I saw this movie when it came out in 1973 (I was 13) and was so blown away... as I've aged and gotten more film-savvy, I've come to recognize it as not just a (the?) superior horror movie, but overall a superlatively written, directed and acted drama. I've watched innumerable reactions to it; this one, yours, is the most compelling I've seen on RUclips. Please stay with this, you are very good. OK, now I'm going to go see what else you've got... going after that Shining reaction you mentioned. Yes!
Yup, and he is the demon you call in to stop this sort of thing which would have been caused by Lamashtu, the demon who hunts young children and babies. Pazauau gets a bad rap in this film.
I had NO idea the film even existed, because I was going thru 3 months of Marine boot camp when it was first released. So I missed all of the hype & excitement. You don't get much news from the outside world. But a friend dragged me to see it in the summer of 1974. He told me NOTHING in advance & I went in completely blind....& came out completely traumatized. The GREATEST experience of getting my money's worth EVER. NO musical score made it seem that much more real.
Only saw it in the late 80s was banned in South Africa my friend and I were terrified! We never knew about possessions the churches tend to not tell you everything that is hidden 😇🙏🎃🎃
I was one of the movie patrons who was watching this movie in the theatre when it first came out in the seventies. When this movie ended, every person in the theatre filed out the doors, rapidly, and not a single word was said by anyone!
The dogs are also a reference to the dogs of war being unleashed. Right after which. We are shown a two shot of Father Merrin. Facing the statue / representation of the demon. Foreshadowing the coming showdown. Keep in mind that although all the information is presented.90 percent of the time. The cues & plot points are revealed through non verbal means. You don't necessarily have to watch the end again. But I suggest watching the first half of the movie. Again. Paying attention to detail. What the camera is showing you. It may help you understand the subtext. Older movies did not spoon feed the audience information. You were expected to be engaged. To pay attention. To actively look & listen. To work for understanding / answers. just as the mother is doing. BTW. Those are Nitro Glycerin Tablets. The indication is that Father Merrin is frail, & has a heart condition.
They made this like a documentary. The procedure Karras uses to investigate, and eliminate all psychological possibilities first, as well as the rite used in the exorcism is all accurate. It is based very loosely on an actual case from 1949. And Karras friend and his superior Tom were actual priests who also advised on the religious details.
In the book the demon's name is Pazuzu and the statue image is what it looks like. Its appearance is half human and half animal. And Father Merrin knows this demon and the demon knows Merrin. I guess its being interpreted that they have done battle before. This demon does not die...it goes into others one at a time.
Loved the reaction! This is probably one of the most intense films ever made. It isn't for everyone, but if you can get through it - it's a very powerful experience. The actors - all of them, are so believable. The mother's terror and frustration, the priest's doubt and his own guilt. and the daughter. It's very rare a movie fires on all cylinders. This is one of them. A timeless movie can work in the 70s just as much as it does in 2021.
In certain scenes, they used an older actress named Eileen Deitz to do the closeup scenes of her stabbing in between legs and the over the shoulder shots of her shoving the mother's head down. Plus the back handed slap to the doctor and her hiking up the nightgown (both seen from behind)was Deitz. Linda Blair herself was filmed stabbing the cross into a box with a sponge filled with fake blood. When edited together it looks like Blair was doing everything. Deitz also wore rigging with flat tubing going along the cheeks going inside the mouth to a nozzle, covered with prosthetic makeup for the vomit scenes (but the first shot of her hurling is actually Linda Blair doing the motion and having the vomit optically superimposed). It was too much for a 12 year old to wear because you could not close your mouth. The flashes of the white devil face is actually Deitz in a test possession makeup.
Thank you for your reaction and review. I can see how the movie affected you just like myself when I first saw it on the screen in 2000. You seem to invest yourself emotionally and physically and that’s what great movies do to us. It’s very interesting how the most horrific and disturbing movie of all time can also be one of the most moving and inspiring. The exorcist is an iconic masterpiece for good reasons.
I saw this movie in a dark theater in 1973 at the age of 9 with a strange babysitter. Nothing had ever been seen like this in the history of cinema. I couldn't understand how it wasn't real, so I thought it was. Nobody sat anywhere behind me, just dark, empty seats. I was literally petrified with terror.
I remember watching a video on YT when this movie first came out in Los Angeles. Women would come out to the lobby crying , out of the theatre crying , in shock and even the ambulance had to be called for some. Just to put you at ease , that green stuff was just pea soup . New subscriber here !! 🎸
@@ShreeNation just pea soup or all soups ? 🤣. Another movie that the old priest was in is another Stephen King movie called " Needful Things ". 👌. Welcome , I love your reactions !!! You should try Live Streaming 👌
The Exorcist is a movie aimed at adults who appreciate slow pace and tension build up. The movies with tedious 'jump scares' are aimed at a younger audience who are after a quick thrill and who have a short attention span.
That physical reaction you were referring to is exactly as you said, 'visceral'. This film is bleak, harrowing, and relentless. The feeling is like the physical body is actively trying to rebel against what's happening. If nothing else, it's a horror film from 1973 that still manages to wreck almost all recent attempts at horror.
I love how you're so thoughtful to all your viewers like in the beginning as well as your well place intermissions. I've watched several reactions to this movie but enjoyed yours the most. You sympathize (and sometimes empathize) way more with each character and really "got" the movie at every turn. Also, Bravo for NOT "turning away"! 😄. My sister and I saw this on HBO when it first came out and it scared the crap out of us! There's documentaries out there on this movie and yes, many people DID evacuate the theaters in the middle of it. A forever stand alone horror movie for sure. Thanks!
The demons were simply reading the Priest’s minds. It explained the vision of the statue to the Exorcist and the exact words of Demmie’s mother to her son.
Yours is my favourite reaction so far to this movie. Everyone else is just so apathetic to it! I felt exactly the same way when i first saw this movie on its 25th anniversary re-release in 1998. The movie was banned in Ireland before that. There is a physical, visceral reaction to it. I felt sick during it, it just made me feel icky. I am not religious now at all, but back then i was a practicing catholic, like most Irish people. Every time i felt a twitch, i thought i was being possessed. I kept imagining my bed was moving. It stayed with me for ages afterwards. The reason why Freidkin could make this movie is because at the time I think he was an atheist, so it didnt mean anything, but he knew the effect it would have on people who either had faith or lost it along the way.
There was a lot of discussion as to how Regan got hold of the crucifix. If you look closely in that scene, just before the big drawer starts moving you can see the shoes and parts of the legs of a person lying behind her bed. It is Karl. She knocked him out and took the crucifix from him, just as in the book. The scene was probably filmed but cut out later...
Great reaction Shree! Saw this at a premiere in NYC in '73. I've seen most all horror flicks/series from Saw to Conjuring to Blair Witch, Insidious, Heredity, Walking Dead, and Paranormal Activ. In my view, The Exorcist is still the gold standard of horror films. Not only were the horror aspects bone chilling but everything about the movie was amazing from the acting (4 academy nominated actors in the movie), character development, family issues, religious conflicts, directing, cinematography, and music. The Exorcist is as deeply affecting today as it was over 50 years ago.
1. I first saw this with friends when I was 12. Back then nobody paid much attention to what rating system there was. I was aware of the head twisting, puking and language so I kind of had an idea what I was in for. What freaked me out the most was the flashing demon. 2. When the doctor is looking at Reagan's skull x-rays and say's there's "nothing in there" I always 🤣 3. The spider crawl down the stairs was NOT in the original release. 4. The demon wasn't trying to avoid the exorcism. He was looking forward to it with Father Merrin. 5. Father Merrin and the demon had a previous encounter where he almost killed the father. Merin doesn't acknowledge the receipt of the note and tells Karras there's no need for analysis. 6. The demon doesn't kill Merrin. From the beginning we know he has a heart problem most likely brought on by the previous encounter. 7 Karras doesn't kill the demon. He does manage to draw it out of her and sacrificed himself for her. 8. Karras is confessing and asking for forgiveness of his MORTAL SIN of Suicide with the other priest. 9. Imagine how hard it was to sell that house. 10. Loved your quote by Stephen King. It's in his non-fiction book "Danse Macabre".😎
Yes, Fr. Karras invited the demon to possess him instead of Regan. The demon then grabbed the St. Christopher's pedant necklace and took it off of Fr. Karras' neck because it protected him from the demon and anything evil. Then after the demon possessed Fr. Karras it tried to harm Regan by either choke her and/or rape her. But Fr. Karras sensed that and then he sacrificed himself by jumping out of the window. This was tragic and sad.
There is a movie called Dominion, which is a prequel to this movie, that shows why Father Merrin was so shaken in the beginning, about finding the little Pazuzu head. He's done all this before, and didn't want to go through that again.
People were throwing up, passing out, crying and leaving. There's footage of the peoples reactions and interviews of them on are RUclips. You should react to it. Its pretty awesome
One of the things with the "You're gonna die up there"line that kind of gets lost in all the dialog is the man she said it to was an astronaut,about to go on a space mission.Interestingly,the author of the book wrote and directed a black comedy called "The Ninth Configuration" ,about a mental institution,and one of the main patients is a former astronaut who had a nervous breakdown right before he was to go to space..
I loved your comment when Chris MacNeil is walking through the attic you mentioned the lack of music makes it scarier. William Friedkin specifically called that out in the amazing documentary Leap of Faith (currently on Shudder). He said his use of music and using non-traditional sounds elevate that uneasy feeling. He shot this movie more like a documentary so there isn't a lot of comfort going on here. The lack of music (like the scene you referenced) makes it feel like you're in the attic with Chris or in the room with the priests as they exorcise the demon. Super effective and I wish more modern directors would follow this approach.
the exorcist is a milesone in cinema since it doesnt only tells the horror story but it gathers elements of drama and cultual ethnic related scenes...like livinng and experiencing the 70s thru the director s eyes...and the film leaves in us very deep impact for next few days
Linda Blair won a Golden Globe for her performance and the mother is an Oscar winning actress from another film. They were Jesuit priests from Georgetown University part of the worldwide network.
Nominated for 10 Oscars including Best Picture but won for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Sound Editing. It was a huge success at the box office, making $440 million dollars against a $13 million dollar budget. Its also said to be cursed as most of the actors and crew got into unexplained accidents before and during filming. If adjusted for inflation it would have made $1 billion dollars.
@@ShreeNation There is documentary series called Cursed films involving Horror movies that include The Exorcist The Omen Twilight Zone The MOVIE The Crow Poltergeist
I mean, I feel like the accidents are pretty explicable: the director was careless with the safety of his cast and crew. Linda Blair and Ellen Burstyn both suffered long-term back injuries because the director was unethical in his treatment of them. I'm pretty sure the line where Reagan yells "it's killing me" as she bounces up an down on the bed is not acting, but her response to the harness jerking her spine around.
Hi Shree, great reaction. Just a couple quick thoughts: You're very intelligent and self-aware to acknowledge your generation's "scare-ability" when it comes to more recent horror movies. It's telling to think that the only jump scare in this film is a freaking phone ring, LOL. I think what makes this movie so effective, and why you felt the way you did -- are for subtle reasons like 1) it doesn't play like a horror movie, it plays it "straight" if that makes sense. If I'm not mistaken, I believe the director was a documentary filmmaker prior to this, which would be why it feels so real and visceral. Bringing that kind of experience has got to count for something. 2) during many of the horrifying scenes, the music is minimal, or non-existent. True to real life, there isn't a soundtrack that plays when scary things actually happen. 3) and lastly, whether you're religious or not, the exorcism itself, failed. They didn't cast out the demon, instead, Karris had to invite the demon into himself, then with his last bit of self-control and willpower he sacrificed himself to save Regan. That's a bittersweet ending for him because he "found his faith" you might say, at the very end, and it cost him his life. But at the same time, the ritual of the exorcism didn't work, either. That's a scary thought, especially for those who believe in that kind of spirituality.
Thank you :) I agree, the movie takes it slow and quiet and when it delivers the horror, it stays in the mind forever. Kudos to the director and everyone involved with the film
This is not a horror film. It's a psychological thriller, perhaps the most masterfully done of all time. I was eleven when the film came out. I had nightmares for years. Also keep in mind that this was 1073. The movie-going public had never seen such an outrageous and intense film before. This was back before digital distribution, so films would be released to a minimal number of theaters at a time. People stood in lines that went on for blocks, only to leave during the film, crying or vomiting, or would pass out. The hysteria surrounding the film was nothing like you would see today. We've become so desensitized. The book and the film play on people's religious beliefs, as well as the belief in the supernatural. Also, the director used angles and techniques that made you feel uncomfortable. Brilliant! They even brought in giant refrigerator units to make the set cold for real. The director was nuts, and he pissed a lot of people off. When Damien was listening to the tapes of Regan and the phone rang, making him jump, the director shot a gun off near him to get that reaction. In the scene when Regan was flopping around on her bed, they had tied a board to her back, and a 2x4 board on hinges to that. Two men on the other side of the wall were working the board. They ended up injuring her back. When Regan slaps her mother across the room after the "lick me" part, the pain on the mother's face was real. They had her in a harness connected to a rope, so when Regan slapped her she went flying. The director told the stage hand working the rope to really give it to her, so he did, injuring her back in the process. They kept the camera on her and kept the take, which really pissed off the actress playing the mother. Father Dryer was actually a priest. He was there as a technical consultant. The scene where he is giving Damien his last rites was acted brilliantly... or was it? The scene was filmed at the end of the day. They had gone through over twenty takes, and Dryer just wasn't getting the emotion that the director was looking for, so the director slapped the shit out of him, an then rolled another take. The shaking in his voice and his hands wasn't acting, it was real.
Some additional info FYI: In the novel, the demon Pazuzu was relentless in its attacks, especially on Karl (the butler) and Father Karras. It attacked Karl because he was a Holocaust survivor. It literally punished Father Karras over his sexuality--something no one would have addressed in a movie. The "statue" you saw towards the end was the actual demon Pazuzu. You made a very astute observation when you said (regarding Regan) "it looks scared." It was scared because Father Merrin had already faced this demon once before where the exorcism "damned near killed him." Three different beds were used in the film--one for Regan's bed; one for the apparent "jarring," and the last for the levitation scenes. Ellen Burstyn (the mother) was seriously injured during the filming of the "crucifix scene." Wires were attached so people could yank her making Regan's appearance of super strength. However, the crew pulled too hard and her back was severely injured! Also, Max von Sydow was in his early 40s when he made this. Amazing makeup. I suggest you give the Exorcist III a view. To me, it was as scary as the first one!
In theaters people were shocked to gasps or utter silence. It was devastating. Nominated for 10 Academy Awards including Best Picture. And just to make it crazier, it was released on Christmas!
Based on actual events from Maryland in 1949. Published in 1971, The Exorcist changed the landscape of horror. Linda Blair was 12 when filming started. She had a double do some of the physical acting scenes (crucifix masterbation, etc) but a lot of the extreme dialogue was her. The Exorcist was nominated for 10 Oscars and won for screenplay and sound. I like how we get the backstory of our 3 main characters and how they are brought together.
"Based on actual events." Well, no. This is pure fantasy (obviously). The origin story's claims are also fictional, and doesn't much resemble the movie.
@@dudermcdudeface3674 William Peter Blattey wrote this novel based on an incident that happened in 1949 in Maryland. He consulted with one of the priests involved with the incident. Granted, everything that happened in the movie did not happen in Maryland, but it wasn't fantasy or fabricated. Don't give a fuck what you think or believe.
@@jamesharper3933 It doesn't matter who made up the story, it's just a story. And if you don't care what I think or believe, you wouldn't have replied.
Not too many people realize that there isn't any musical score to this movie. It gives it a more documentary-style feel to it. Makes it more unsettling overall. Creates and more unsettling without the music being there to guide you along telling you what to expect. You're always left guessing what's coming next.
You asked how people reacted in the movie theaters when this came out, some passed out.. some people got up and left the theater, and some people threw up… I was a little kid and I remember seeing it all on the news, along with seeing the long lines for people going in to see it on the news… The next time I saw lines like that on the news was 2 years later for people going to see Jaws.. Jaws was the start of the summer blockbuster movie.. I was too young to see both of them, but I can remember that
Imagine being 12 and doing that kind of acting. Simply amazing. You should watch the behind the scenes of the making of it. Remember there were no computers for cgi or anything like that. All hands on. Interesting to see how they filmed the scene with the cold room. Great reaction!
I saw this film when it first came out in 73, back then Priests from the Catholic Church lead protests outside of theaters where the movie was supposed to be shown but that didn't stop the release and people flocked to watch it back then. To answer your question when the Priest died who was possessed by the Demon (who's name is Pazuzu) or Spirit did not die, it just left the dead body to return to either where it came from originally or left in search of another body to possess. That's a good reason not to mess around with Quija Boards, when using them it's very possible that you could be inviting a Demon Spirit, when your intention was to contact a loved one, Demons are liars and love disguising themselves to find a human weak enough to attach themselves to them. I don't think anyone will ever top this movie, once watched it will stay with you forever. I enjoy your reviews and reactions, take care and stay safe
Thanks for this. Some reactors chat throughout a film....... some reactors talk and talk about things that aren't even related to the film. You however remained engaged and present....despite the films temptation to make one disengage... This reaction was 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 Been a year, hope you have recovered thus far.
A couple of years later... the comment about the theater audience's experience... theaters were jammed. Everyone jumping, screaming, runnijng. And they did this months in. Watching this on TV or home-video or a li'l phone cannot ever convey the power of the shared horror and fright of a packed audience's reaction.
Even though it is visually stunning, one thing that the film doesn't explain very well at the beginning to those who read the novel is the scene with Father Merrin's dig in Iraq. I always hear or read complaints that, "It doesn't make sense", "It's boring", etc. from first time viewers. With the beginning of the film, Father Merrin uncovers the head of a little figurine of the demon Pazuzu, whom he recognized because he had previously exorcised the demon years ago. So then he has a premonition later that another battle with Pazuzu is coming, with the clock randomly stopping and him almost getting ran over by the carriage. So to confirm his suspicions he goes to some old ruins where there is an old statue of Pazuzu and knows for certain when he sees the dogs fighting each other (the dogs of war have been unleashed). The dissolve to Georgetown right after is to show you where this battle between good and evil is going to take place. We also learn in this scene that Fr. Merrin has a heart condition and takes these little medicinal pills for it. His first battle with the demon "almost killed him" as we hear later.
A huge refrigerator was built around Reagan’s bedroom set. It was really very cold while those scenes were shot. They could only film about 15 minutes at a time because the lights would heat the fairly quickly.
I think you’re the only reactor I’ve seen who understood Regan having a vague memory and that being the reason for her farewell to the priest at the end. The crucifix scene is definitely the most traumatizing thing I’ve still ever seen in a film. Loved the reaction, though I get why fans say you talk a lot. 😂 I kept worrying you were missing important dialogue. But very fun and intelligent commentary nonetheless.
@@ShreeNation totally understandable. I just come from a movie obsessed family which has always been focused on not missing dialogue so I’m always like that with people and get concerned they’re missing stuff. How I’ve been conditioned since I was little. 😅
This is probably my favorite reaction video to this movie cause it makes me feel like I am seeing one of the original viewers from 1973 when some people were fainting or almost fainting and some were vomiting too and had to run out of the theater.
Well girl. I saw this movie when I was 11 years old in the theatre. There were people holding signs, protesting. Against the profanity and violence. While watching people did get up, scream and run out. A few vomited in the isle. There was nothing anything like this prior. All I can say is Im glad it was bright sunshine outside, when Movie was over. Well girl your reactions are priceless. The movie did to you, just what it was supposed to do. Make you uneasy, anxious, sick and now afraid to sleep in the dark. So there are a lot of sequels but nothing equalled the original. AS some side trivia the movie took 9 months to film and there were many unexplained incidents as well as a fire. Many got injured. The mom , really hurt her back when she was thrown onto the floor after the devil punched her. It was not a fake scream it was for real. Don't you just love 1970s medical tech? That was state of the art them. Seems barberic now. They had to use 4 a/c in the room to get the temp so cold. The movie is based upon a true event. An exorcisim done in 1949 on a possessed boy. If you want to know the details about Father Merrick life prior to the dig in Iraq, watch the movie DOMINION. It's about him and the dig in Iraq. It's also a very intense "Horror" movie.. The Vatican has officially sealed the detailed records. So since your a ""Horror" fan and Halloween is soon to come.. Have you watched ALIEN '79 and the sequel ALIENS.. Both very scary movies..There are a bunch more sequels but the others are junk. Well now I've found your channel, I'll watch some more of your reactions.
Thank you for the info about the theater reactions, it's so fascinating how it affected so many people! I've seen both Alien movies but unfortunately only my Aliens reaction is up for now. I hope you enjoy and I'm glad you're here :)
It's a real testament to the makers of this film that 50 years after its release, it can still shock and un-nerve folks. And doesn't Ellen Burstyn give a phenomenal performance? Her character's inner turmoil is palpable. And Mercedes McCambridge's vocal performance as Pazuzu is Oscar worthy. - - - - - Max Von Sydow was only in his 40s when the played Merrin. When he returned as a younger Merrin in 1977's EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC he didn't need the makeup to look older. - - - - - In the novel, Lt. Kinderman showed up at the McNeil house to arrest Regan for the murder of Burke Dennings, right as Kerras threw himself out of the window. After he saw Regan, he pieced together what occurred and actually ended up covering up the details for Chris and Regan's privacy. - - - - - Also in the novel, whenever Regan's head would "spin", it was described as an illusion that the demon would project at people in order to elicit shock and fear. When Chris saw this, she was so jarred that she fainted. - - - - - I hope you do reaction vids to the other films in this franchise ... EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC (1977) [a total shit show ... couldn't decide if it was horror film or a sci-film] THE EXORCIST III: LEGION (1990) [my favorite sequel] DOMINION: PREQUEL TO THE EXORCIST (2004) [decent prequel] EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING (2005) [idiotic prequel]
The little tablets the old priest too were called Nitro. People with heart problems place one under the tongue and it dissolves and helps prevent an oncoming chest pains of a heart attack. I cannot believe how many young people don't know what that is. If you ever see a person holding their chest, ask them where their Nitro tablets are and have them put it under their tongue.
Heart attacks are an older person's disease that young people may not understand. Just like type 1 diabetes is a young person's disease that older people with type 2 diabetes may not understand.
Linda Blair will live forever, always remembered and respected for her performance as Regan as long as the human race exists and appreciates talent in cinema
In case you are interested, there are several Exorcist sequels & a prequel. Many aspects are explained, one of them about father Merrin's past experiences as an exorcist.
Well done for getting through it, Shree. It ain't an easy film to watch. I first saw it on video in the early 80's and it scared the living bejezus out of me. I wanted to stop watching after the cross scene, too, but I was watching with friends and I didn't want to lose face.
Ed Catt i saw it in the Cinima when i was 12 and people were Passing out and i could not enjoy it as there were paramidics taking peopleinto causralty so i coukd not c=wtch it so went a few mounths ater and there were no disturbances a few gasps a very good film
I watched this movie as a tv rerun way back in 1977, it scared the living sh*t out of me.....my parents let me watch it with them and it is a friday fright time back then,,,,,60s and 70s movies usually start with a slow pace, reserving the full climax of the story in the last 20 or 30 minutes of the movie, they let the viewers savor all the details as the story progress'. Linda Blair became famous after this movie,
You asked how people reacted... they were printing articles in local papers warning people that these screenings were swamping all of the ambulance service. Theaters were all stocking up on smelling salts. etc. And that was without the crabwalk scene in the original release.
Exorcist is still considered the greatest horror movie of all time. It caused actual deaths in theaters. A few people died of heart attacks and some fainted. My mom didn't allow me to watch...I watched it for the first time when I was 18 years old in 1999. At 40 year's old and I cant watch this movie alone.
This is probably one of my favorite reactions to the film. William Peter Blatty, who wrote the novel and the screenplay and produced the film, has said the point of the "crucifix masterbation" scene is not to shock the audience. In terms of the writing, he said he came to a point in the story of what was the worst thing he could think of that would finally convince this atheist/agnostic mother that this is supernatural and her daughter is possessed and needs a priest. Mercedes Macambridge, an actress from the golden age of Hollywood, provided the voice of the demon. Don't laugh, but the movie, in many ways, is a love story. Father Karras commits the ultimate act of love by sacrificing his life for someone he never met. Remember, he only met the demon, he never met Reagan.
Thank you, that really means a lot :') And thanks for your insight, Father Karras definitely did the noblest thing which perhaps saved everyone in that house.
A couple of those priests were also REAL. You mentioned sleeping with the lights on. At 66.....I'm STILL sleeping with at least the television on because of this movie.
A lot of things work well in The Exorcist. Owen Roizman's photography is superb without once calling attention to itself (he did Dog Day Day Afternoon and Mikey and Nicky), the special effects are seamless and timeless (the cracks in the wall), and the academy-award-winning sound design works wonders on the nerves; however, if there is one element that deserves recognition, it is Ellen Burstyn's performance. Unfortunately, it's overshadowed a little by the pea soup and twisting necks. If that performance isn't right, it all falls apart and becomes ridiculous. She makes you believe it's really happening. She'd win an award the next year for Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, but she's just as good in this.
For full reactions www.patreon.com/shreenation
To see how audiences reacted to The Excorcist back in 1974. ruclips.net/video/LSVHpX1CDN8/видео.html
Linda Blair won the Golden Globe but lost Academy Award to Tatum O'Neal
Please watch and review the original “martyrs”
Hello!
First of all: A very good Reaction-Video to this iconic Movie!
Secondly: Feeling unconfortable, having Goosebumps still after the Movie & never forget what you've seen...that makes a Movie iconic in my opinion!
You're a nice person you make cool Video's...that's why I liked & subscribed!😌
There are so many things missed by reactors too young to realize things were different when this movie was made. It was the first of its kind - first possession movie - first with the graphic language - and it was BASED on a true story. It was a huge success in movie theaters across the country - so huge that dozens of inferior movies about demons and possession followed wherein there were NONE previous to this. Never seeing a movie like this had people fainting and having anxiety attacks in theaters across the country. Also, of all the movies about demons and possession - this was by far the best in terms of movie production, writing, acting, music, etc. Young reactors miss most of these things because they weren't there.
It's not just a great horror movie. It's up there with the very best films in every technical sense. It's a masterclass in acting and directing. It could easily have come off as corny in the hands of a less capable director. But it has a visceral unsettling effect on the audience unlike anything at the time and since. The Exorcist was beyond shocking and is a film that changed cinema.
"Is my daughter going to die?"
"No."
I love that moment. After all Father Karras had been through, after we thought we saw him break earlier, that resolve as he heads back up the stairs is such an understated yet awesome moment.
Yeah, that moment gets me too!
In that short climactic scene, Karras becomes arguably the greatest and most unusual hero in all of cinema.
Could not have been said better. Damien Karras is my favorite movie hero. Plus he never met normal Regan. He gave his life for A child he never knew.
@@novatlas1945 Thanks for supporting what some might consider my exaggerated praise of Karras. And you make a wonderful point about his never being able to know (or even see) the girl he saved. Along with his great heroism, that might be considered his small tragedy. He missed her by, what...five minutes? ten minutes?
Absolutely.
The scene with the dogs going savage against each other was symbolism for the devil turning man against brother...Always get me. Excorcist remains in the TOP of the Olympus of the horror films. It is traumatic. Great reaction ^^
Thanks! ^_^
It symbolizes “unleashing the dogs of war”
@@ShreeNation based on true story.. 14 year old Roland Doe 1949 Maryland.
@@ShreeNation watch audience reactions in theaters.people faited threw up had heart atacks ran out . ..some theaters had perimedicts on stand by
@@ShreeNation Abraham religion...that would be Jewish
I have to say you got it easy watching this film. Imagine seeing this in 1973 when nothing like it came before it. You would have been in a DARK theater, not being able to talk to release any of your stress, fear or anxiety. When this movies was first released in 1973 there were reports of people running out of the theater and passing out.
This movie has a realism to it that most modern films don't which heightens the experience. I first watched this movie when I was about 9-10 years old. It was in the late 1970's and me and my brothers were in a department store and my older brother found a VHS tape in the TV/VCR department (it may have been a bootleg), he put it in one of the VCR's and we watched the entire film. For a solid month I was petrified that there would be a demon around every corner. And for about a entire year I couldn't stop thinking about that movie. I'm 53 years old now (Oct 18, 2021) and I still will not watch that film again, even though I believe it to be an exceptionally well made film. Not that it would scare me today but just that it is a very disturbing film to watch.
She said she would have left the theater if it was on a big screen and dark.
I've seen the movie about 10 times but read half the book at age 12 and couldn't finish it because I was afraid to continue. In 1974 the movie disturbed me and my sisters 8 and 13 years, we went with 18 year old cousins. They couldn't watch it again but it being the only movie to frighten me propelled me to view it over and over again. It's my favorite horror movie.
The Crucifix scene is still the most shocking scene I have ever seen whether you are religious or not.
The Red Wedding of the 1970s.
I agree with you 😱
At some point, Regan probably snuck down the stairs to get that crucifix the mother set on the stand when the detective showed up.
Creepy...
At least they used a 24 year old actress for the crucifix defilement scene. Lots of people think that Linda Blair performed that scene.....but the filmmakers weren't completely monstrous.
@@VadersRage they tried to get her to do it. but she refused
"I never thought I'd hear a twelve year old say that." Uh oh, that's the easy part.
And yes, there were people at the theater that could not stay and finish watching this movie, they had to leave out to the lobby or find the restroom and upchuck. It scared the living hell out of many people when it came out. I think it is still the scariest movie ever made, like in it's own category. It doesn't treat possession or exorcism as a movie trope, it portrays it as visceral as it can be as you note, and it does that incredibly well.
They dont make movies like this anymore. True classic
What's really effective about the Exorcist is that it was written and directed as a fairly grounded drama that had supernatural horror elements. Chris exhausts every single scientific/medical explanation for Regan's condition, and Karras himself has doubts about the nature of everything related to it until he can't deny it anymore.
I'd say that's why it holds up almost 50 years later because even if it's not necessarily always scary, one is still drawn in by the characters and are disturbed by what's happening to them. That slow build up in the first act allows the eventual exorcism itself to be so effective; the trauma of the scenes is rooted in the fact that a viewer deeply cares about Chris, Regan, & Karras.
I agree 100%! The reason this movie will stay with me is because they developed the characters and their desperation surrounding the possession more than the possession itself. I didn't even complain that they never explained *how* Regan got possessed; I was so invested.
@@ShreeNation I’ve always believed that Regan was possessed because the demon wanted to overtake Karras in order to kill Merrin as revenge for exorcising it elsewhere in the past. Though Karras was vulnerable to attack, as his faith was declining, he is a priest and trained psychiatrist, likely not easily possessed, and like the doctor said to Chris (paraphrasing), “Just as the victim’s belief in possession can invite the demon in, the belief in the power of exorcism can cast it out.” Well, it is stated that Chris and Regan have no religious beliefs. Perfect fodder for a demon, people with no knowledge of what an exorcism is, thereby making their belief in the power of exorcism more or less useless. Karras living on the other side of town wasn’t a coincidence. Chris and Regan being atheist or agnostic was. Regan was merely an easy target to appeal to the priests’ emotions and confound their logic, meaning, people are more likely to help a child (especially a little girl) than they are an adult, as they see the child as much more defenseless. Also, it’s easier to accept that an adult could learn Latin and effectively speak English in reverse in an older, gravelly voice, given their many more years on earth. Not so easy for a child to do. Remember, Merrin said, “The demon will mix lies with the truth to confuse us,” one of the biggest truths being that the exorcism would bring Karras and the demon together, which it did. It likely did not believe that, as a priest, Karras would commit suicide nearly the moment he became possessed. But, in some regards, the demon did win. The little girl was saved, but the priests both died, and honestly, whether Regan lived or died was likely irrelevant to the demon. Again, Regan was just the bait. Karras was vulnerable but couldn’t be as easily possessed until his mind and body had had enough. The higher priests knew Merrin and due to his experience and Karras’s lack of faith, Merrin was the logical choice to lead the exorcism. This was the demon’s plan, to get them all in the same room together, and in doing so, pulled off what it set out to do, just not in the way it intended to do it. Possess the girl, break Karras down enough so it can possess him and now have a much more powerful vessel in which to kill Father Merrin. Merrin’s heart attack and Karras’s subsequent suicide were events the demon didn’t foresee (the audience either, as both priests dying still has an impact on new audiences.
As a side note: Though not nearly as good (but a decent film as horror flicks go), The Exorcist 3 (which is the true sequel to the original, not 2) expounds on my theory a bit, as the demon returns in another body, stating that it stayed in Karras just long enough to “jump” out of him and find another host (don’t wanna say too much, as it’s worth a watch and don’t wish to spoil anything). The main characters in the third film are Detective Kinderman, the guy questioning Chris and Karras about Burke’s death (though played by George C. Scott this time around) and Father Dyer (also played by a different actor), the priest who attended Chris’s party and gave Karras his last rites at the bottom of the staircase. It’s got some eerie moments and creepy imagery, a decent storyline and good performances, but it’s jump scares, while effective (but which were becoming more of a trope than a novelty by then) and needless gore sort of put it on par with too many other modern cliched horror films. It was, however, directed by the author of both The Exorcist and Legion (upon which The Exorcist 3 film is based), William Peter Blatty.
Yes it presents it as anyone one would proceed, going to doctors, various tests, some rational explanation as most modern people would search for first. And then it drops off the abyss and there isn't anywhere to hide.
@@ShreeNation Maybe it wasn't made very clear, but if you think back to the scene near the beginning in the basement with the Ouija board - Regan told her mom she had been playing with it. Neither of them knew it at the time of course, but the demon had entered into her via that gateway. You commented yourself how nothing good ever comes from messing with the Ouija board. The Catholic church has long warned that dabbling with the Ouija board can lead to demonic possession. Sorry I'm late with this reply, but I only saw your excellent reaction just now!
The definition of a "horror movie" in 1973 is much different than a "horror movie" today. Much of today's "horror movies" is best described as "slasher movies". They rarely include quality actors, are usually low budget, & are graded by the number of "jump scares" & how many times the "bad person" has to come back & be killed yet again. By now, I am bored & desensitized by today's "horror movies". You may as well title all of them, "1 Million Ways To Violently Kill A Person". Personally, I don't even consider The Exorcist as a horror movie by today's standards. It's a thriller & suspense movie that is quite disturbing. To be thrown in with Jason, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, Texas Chainsaw Massacre horror franchise movies is like comparing apples to oranges. We will never see a movie like The Exorcist anytime soon, if ever.
I saw this at the age of 18, 48 years ago. People were fainting, vomiting, screaming. Dick Smith won an Oscar for the make-up effects in this. The green vomit was split pea soup. LOL.
No one had ever seen anything like it before December 1973.
I wasn't a believer, but slept in the living room, with the lights on, and a Bible under my pillow for several days.
Haha wow ! Thanks for sharing your story, that’s crazy what you and others experienced,
i was born in 85’ and saw the film at 9 years old because my aunts and uncles had the vhs tape and all I thought at the time was “wow! This is a really old movie!” Lol
@@fashionbydiana Funny. LOL
In spite of rumors people might tell you, Linda Blair was fine after this movie (other than a back injury). She sometimes does personal appearances and signs autographs and she founded an animal rights group which keeps her busy. In fact, when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, Linda Blair went down there and rescued 51 dogs.
The older priest takes Nitroglycerin pills.
They are used to prevent chest pain (angina) in people with a certain heart condition (coronary artery disease).
The makeup artist was Dick Smith, one of the legends of the field. Check out his work in "The Hunger" and "Amadeus." Max von Sydow was *44* when he made this movie. Look at images of him then, look at him in this movie, then look at him in "Game of Thrones". The prediction was downright prophetic.
I always associate him with Bergman. You know the producers were aiming at something more than a teen horror flick when they snagged him for the movie....
Or in Flash Gordon
The irony of him playing a priest is that he was an atheist.
That unsettling sound you could hear when Father Merrin discovered the idol was a bee trapped in a jar. They're are tons of interviews with William Friedkin on RUclips where he tells about the sound and voice techniques they used. You definitely picked the wrong movie if you have insomnia😂
😅
hogs
@@ShreeNation You should check more on the director William Friedkin. His first big movie was The French Connection (1971). One of the most realistic cop movies ever starring Gene Hackman and Roy Schieder (Jaws of course. Also, in a funny way, the Schieder character in The French Connection could be a sort of like a back story to his Chief Brody character, a cop from New York).
Friedkin went on to direct Sorcerer (1977). Also starring Roy Schieder about a group of men delivering nitroglycerin in a truck. This movie has more meaning then just a group of men delivering nitro in a truck. Very underrated.
Last, but not least, there's The Hunted (2003). Tommy Lee Jones and Benicio Del Toro in a Rambo, First Blood type of movie. Original, in it's own way and excellent. Another very underrated movie, way way underrated.
When the Exorcist came out, I snuck into the theater with my friend and his older brother. I was 8. It was pretty intense at that age and I didn't sleep very well for quite awhile after seeing it. I met Linda Blair in 2018 and let her know how much she affected my childhood. She's quite aware the impact how much her and this film had on the psyche of millions of people worldwide. I got to talk to her for a while and of course got an autographed photo of her as the Demon.
The guy who she told was gonna die up there was the guest of honor at the party, an astronaut.
He said he was going to pull his mom out of the hospital. She died at home which must have been a few days later.
Excellent reaction, seriously. Truly enjoyed your analysis and respect for the film and the story. It was a bold masterpiece that was quite risky to present to the public.
BTW, a lot of people miss this: Father Carrick at the end with the exorcism is in complete turmoil and not just because of his mother but more because of his crisis in faith. At the start of the exorcism he is still thinking (and wanting to think) it's a psycho problem and scientifically explained, not religious. Then as the supernatural became 100% inexplicable during the actual exorcism, over and over, the reality of the supernatural crushed him, which then made him realize the guilt of having lost faith and not believed earlier, plus the guilt of his mother. At the end of the exorcism, when he says "damn you, come into me!" He is admitting to the audience that he 100% believes again and understands it is in fact a demon and 0% chance it's a psycho problem. No doubt in faith means his absolute faith has been restored at last. he absolves himself and fixes his past sin of not believing, which led arguably to the girl's prolonged suffering (contributed at least), through martyrdom, in the process sending Pazuzu back to hell. (whether it's true martyrdom or suicide, and whether the father goes to heaven or hell with Pazuzu, is NOT a mystery btw, even though many debate this). All sins can be forgiven so long as you are truly remorseful (and still alive to repent). The fact he did not die on impact but was still alive to receive last rites and ask for forgiveness (by squeezing the other priest's hand) means he died with a clean soul. anyway, a lot of people I think miss this character development with him in the last act. all those scenes where he was stunned by what he was seeing was not simply shock at seeing the supernatural but, beyond that, the logical ramifications on his faith and itnernal crisis at seeing those things literally left him dumbfounded and gutted inside. faith in science to faith in god, the final transition before martyrdom.
Thank you. This is very insightful and I will definitely be seeing Father Karras from a different lens now.
°!
Really enjoyed your reaction and your honest and transparent discussion. I as a veteran, I have my own issues with sleep and other things. Keep doing your thing and I am glad that I found your page!
Thank you so much!
My mother, aunts, and some friends went to see this when it first hit the movie theater. She said that was the most traumatic thing she ever experience and she grew up in the Jim Crow south.
The famous "spider walk" scene (performed by a contortionist been held by wires) had to be left out, since there was no possible angle for the camera to keep the wires invisible. Later on, with the advent of technology, the wires where digitally removed and the scene was added back in
Friedkin also said that the timing was off coming right after learning about Burke's death.
@@jimhardiman3836 others talked about this later. They could have used techniques that existed for decades to paint the wires out, but they chose not to bother because the scene was too disturbing anyway.
@@jimhardiman3836 , and yet... I loved the timing. The shock while I was still trying to process the Burke info...
@@st0n3p0nytoo disturbing?
Unapologetic, uncomprimising, perfection on film. True art makes you feel deeply. I still find it very difficult to watch this film alone. Well done.
Thank you ❤
The man she said "You're gonna die up there." was an astronaut, and would be going into space sometime after the party. The astronaut's further story was told in another novel by William Peter Blatty, the author of the book, and screenwriter of "The Exorcist."
The best films are those which spin against their drive. This is a movie about the redemption of faith, not the loss of it. It is a film about hope, not about despair. It is a film about a man losing his faith and regaining it enough to destroy himself for a young girl he actually never meets. I am an atheist, but I recognize God all around the margins of this film. It is a masterpiece, and Linda Blair was absolutely robbed of the Oscar for her performance.
“Long is the way, and hard, that out of Hell leads up to light.”
Same. I don't critique movies that are about religion, because it's real within the universe of the movie, and that's what counts. Just like I enjoy movies about monsters or dragons or unicorns, etc etc. They don't have to be real in real life, to be entertaining in movies.
Spot on comment! What a film!👍👍👍
When she said "You're going to die up there" she was speaking to the astronaut.
Congratulations to you for getting all the way through the Exorcist - the only horror film that hits that spot which no other horror film can do. Watch Mark Kermode's documentary of the making of the Exorcist to see why that film was such a classic. Recommended is Exorcist III: Legion
Thank you for the recommendation :)
@@ShreeNation And I wouldn't recommend Exorcist 2: The Heretic, better skip that one, it's not worth watching, I wouldn't even consider it canon. Go straight to Legion, written and directed by William Peter Blatty himself.
And if you do, be sure to watch the theatrical release, not the director's cut. I usually prefer DCs, but in this particular case, the theatrical is a more complete and satisfying experience.
@@ShreeNation I've seen some of the exorcist on tcm around 2009/2010 (i was 18/19 at the time) it was scary
This movie came out 4 years before I was born. My dad saw it at the theater. Afterward, he went home, and accidentally stepped on a loose floor board, and the closet door across the room opened. He jumped straight from there, a couple feet, right into his bed and hid under the covers. A grown man. lol
Lol poor guy :D
I never do this, but I'm subscribing to your channel after this single time watching you. I saw this movie when it came out in 1973 (I was 13) and was so blown away... as I've aged and gotten more film-savvy, I've come to recognize it as not just a (the?) superior horror movie, but overall a superlatively written, directed and acted drama. I've watched innumerable reactions to it; this one, yours, is the most compelling I've seen on RUclips. Please stay with this, you are very good. OK, now I'm going to go see what else you've got... going after that Shining reaction you mentioned. Yes!
Thank you so much 🙏
In ancient Mesopotamian religion, Pazuzu was the king of the demons of the wind, brother of Humbaba and son of the god Hanbi.
Yup, and he is the demon you call in to stop this sort of thing which would have been caused by Lamashtu, the demon who hunts young children and babies. Pazauau gets a bad rap in this film.
You had the perfect reaction pretty much all the way through the movie. Thanks for enduring it, and entertaining us along the way.
No worries, I'm glad you enjoyed :)
It was so nice watching an authentic reaction and an intelligent synopsis to one of my favorite horror movies. Thank You!
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed :)
I had NO idea the film even existed, because I was going thru 3 months of Marine boot camp when it was first released. So I missed all of the hype & excitement. You don't get much news from the outside world. But a friend dragged me to see it in the summer of 1974. He told me NOTHING in advance & I went in completely blind....& came out completely traumatized. The GREATEST experience of getting my money's worth EVER. NO musical score made it seem that much more real.
Only saw it in the late 80s was banned in South Africa my friend and I were terrified! We never knew about possessions the churches tend to not tell you everything that is hidden 😇🙏🎃🎃
I remember my moms reaction in '74 when this came out,she was freaked out like most of America.A Masterpiece of pure horror.☠✌
I was one of the movie patrons who was watching this movie in the theatre when it first came out in the seventies. When this movie ended, every person in the theatre filed out the doors, rapidly, and not a single word was said by anyone!
It's simply the best Horror film of all time..in so many ways.👻😈😱
Today, I no longer see it as a horror film, but a psychological drama.
I agree!
The dogs are also a reference to the dogs of war being unleashed. Right after which. We are shown a two shot of Father Merrin. Facing the statue / representation of the demon. Foreshadowing the coming showdown. Keep in mind that although all the information is presented.90 percent of the time. The cues & plot points are revealed through non verbal means. You don't necessarily have to watch the end again. But I suggest watching the first half of the movie. Again. Paying attention to detail. What the camera is showing you. It may help you understand the subtext. Older movies did not spoon feed the audience information. You were expected to be engaged. To pay attention. To actively look & listen. To work for understanding / answers. just as the mother is doing. BTW. Those are Nitro Glycerin Tablets. The indication is that Father Merrin is frail, & has a heart condition.
They made this like a documentary. The procedure Karras uses to investigate, and eliminate all psychological possibilities first, as well as the rite used in the exorcism is all accurate. It is based very loosely on an actual case from 1949. And Karras friend and his superior Tom were actual priests who also advised on the religious details.
In the book the demon's name is Pazuzu and the statue image is what it looks like. Its appearance is half human and half animal. And Father Merrin knows this demon and the demon knows Merrin. I guess its being interpreted that they have done battle before. This demon does not die...it goes into others one at a time.
Loved the reaction! This is probably one of the most intense films ever made. It isn't for everyone, but if you can get through it - it's a very powerful experience. The actors - all of them, are so believable. The mother's terror and frustration, the priest's doubt and his own guilt. and the daughter. It's very rare a movie fires on all cylinders. This is one of them. A timeless movie can work in the 70s just as much as it does in 2021.
The guy was an Astronaut, and she said, you are going to die up there....in space
In certain scenes, they used an older actress named Eileen Deitz to do the closeup scenes of her stabbing in between legs and the over the shoulder shots of her shoving the mother's head down. Plus the back handed slap to the doctor and her hiking up the nightgown (both seen from behind)was Deitz. Linda Blair herself was filmed stabbing the cross into a box with a sponge filled with fake blood. When edited together it looks like Blair was doing everything. Deitz also wore rigging with flat tubing going along the cheeks going inside the mouth to a nozzle, covered with prosthetic makeup for the vomit scenes (but the first shot of her hurling is actually Linda Blair doing the motion and having the vomit optically superimposed). It was too much for a 12 year old to wear because you could not close your mouth. The flashes of the white devil face is actually Deitz in a test possession makeup.
Thank you for your reaction and review. I can see how the movie affected you just like myself when I first saw it on the screen in 2000. You seem to invest yourself emotionally and physically and that’s what great movies do to us. It’s very interesting how the most horrific and disturbing movie of all time can also be one of the most moving and inspiring. The exorcist is an iconic masterpiece for good reasons.
Thank you ^^
I saw this movie in a dark theater in 1973 at the age of 9 with a strange babysitter. Nothing had ever been seen like this in the history of cinema. I couldn't understand how it wasn't real, so I thought it was. Nobody sat anywhere behind me, just dark, empty seats. I was literally petrified with terror.
Damn that is one scary movie experience!
I remember watching a video on YT when this movie first came out in Los Angeles. Women would come out to the lobby crying , out of the theatre crying , in shock and even the ambulance had to be called for some. Just to put you at ease , that green stuff was just pea soup . New subscriber here !! 🎸
Never eating pea soup again. Thank you for the sub!
@@ShreeNation just pea soup or all soups ? 🤣. Another movie that the old priest was in is another Stephen King movie called " Needful Things ". 👌. Welcome , I love your reactions !!! You should try Live Streaming 👌
The Exorcist is a movie aimed at adults who appreciate slow pace and tension build up. The movies with tedious 'jump scares' are aimed at a younger audience who are after a quick thrill and who have a short attention span.
Loved this reaction. You're so genuine and obviously intelligent as heck. Very cool watch :)
This made my day :') thank you!
That physical reaction you were referring to is exactly as you said, 'visceral'. This film is bleak, harrowing, and relentless. The feeling is like the physical body is actively trying to rebel against what's happening. If nothing else, it's a horror film from 1973 that still manages to wreck almost all recent attempts at horror.
Sound design on this movie is insane. They used Bees, multiple voices, animals, twisting a wallet to mimic Regans head twisting.
I love how you're so thoughtful to all your viewers like in the beginning as well as your well place intermissions. I've watched several reactions to this movie but enjoyed yours the most. You sympathize (and sometimes empathize) way more with each character and really "got" the movie at every turn. Also, Bravo for NOT "turning away"! 😄.
My sister and I saw this on HBO when it first came out and it scared the crap out of us! There's documentaries out there on this movie and yes, many people DID evacuate the theaters in the middle of it. A forever stand alone horror movie for sure. Thanks!
Thank you so much! That really means a lot :')
The demons were simply reading the Priest’s minds. It explained the vision of the statue to the Exorcist and the exact words of Demmie’s mother to her son.
Yours is my favourite reaction so far to this movie. Everyone else is just so apathetic to it! I felt exactly the same way when i first saw this movie on its 25th anniversary re-release in 1998. The movie was banned in Ireland before that. There is a physical, visceral reaction to it. I felt sick during it, it just made me feel icky. I am not religious now at all, but back then i was a practicing catholic, like most Irish people. Every time i felt a twitch, i thought i was being possessed. I kept imagining my bed was moving. It stayed with me for ages afterwards. The reason why Freidkin could make this movie is because at the time I think he was an atheist, so it didnt mean anything, but he knew the effect it would have on people who either had faith or lost it along the way.
Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed ❤
There was a lot of discussion as to how Regan got hold of the crucifix. If you look closely in that scene, just before the big drawer starts moving you can see the shoes and parts of the legs of a person lying behind her bed. It is Karl. She knocked him out and took the crucifix from him, just as in the book. The scene was probably filmed but cut out later...
Interesting, didn't notice that. Thanks!
One of the greatest controversial horror films ever made and this movie ranked at #3 in the 100 scariest movie moments on Bravo
Great reaction Shree! Saw this at a premiere in NYC in '73. I've seen most all horror flicks/series from Saw to Conjuring to Blair Witch, Insidious, Heredity, Walking Dead, and Paranormal Activ. In my view, The Exorcist is still the gold standard of horror films. Not only were the horror aspects bone chilling but everything about the movie was amazing from the acting (4 academy nominated actors in the movie), character development, family issues, religious conflicts, directing, cinematography, and music. The Exorcist is as deeply affecting today as it was over 50 years ago.
Simply this movie is DREAD, you feel unwell and shaken, especially at a nighttime viewing.
1. I first saw this with friends when I was 12. Back then nobody paid much attention to what rating system there was.
I was aware of the head twisting, puking and language so I kind of had an idea what I was in for. What freaked me
out the most was the flashing demon.
2. When the doctor is looking at Reagan's skull x-rays and say's there's "nothing in there" I always 🤣
3. The spider crawl down the stairs was NOT in the original release.
4. The demon wasn't trying to avoid the exorcism. He was looking forward to it with Father Merrin.
5. Father Merrin and the demon had a previous encounter where he almost killed the father. Merin doesn't
acknowledge the receipt of the note and tells Karras there's no need for analysis.
6. The demon doesn't kill Merrin. From the beginning we know he has a heart problem most likely brought
on by the previous encounter.
7 Karras doesn't kill the demon. He does manage to draw it out of her and sacrificed himself for her.
8. Karras is confessing and asking for forgiveness of his MORTAL SIN of Suicide with the other priest.
9. Imagine how hard it was to sell that house.
10. Loved your quote by Stephen King. It's in his non-fiction book "Danse Macabre".😎
Thank you, this is really insightful ^^
Yes, Fr. Karras invited the demon to possess him instead of Regan. The demon then grabbed the St. Christopher's pedant necklace and took it off of Fr. Karras' neck because it protected him from the demon and anything evil. Then after the demon possessed Fr. Karras it tried to harm Regan by either choke her and/or rape her. But Fr. Karras sensed that and then he sacrificed himself by jumping out of the window. This was tragic and sad.
There is a movie called Dominion, which is a prequel to this movie, that shows why Father Merrin was so shaken in the beginning, about finding the little Pazuzu head. He's done all this before, and didn't want to go through that again.
Thank you for the recommendation :)
When this came out in 1973 people did walk out the theaters and vomit and pass out
People were throwing up, passing out, crying and leaving. There's footage of the peoples reactions and interviews of them on are RUclips. You should react to it. Its pretty awesome
i remember i could hardly hair the sound or talking due ti the screaming and crying
@@timothywait9457 Oh wow, I wish I could have experienced it. You're lucky 👌
I would love to!
One of the things with the "You're gonna die up there"line that kind of gets lost in all the dialog is the man she said it to was an astronaut,about to go on a space mission.Interestingly,the author of the book wrote and directed a black comedy called "The Ninth Configuration" ,about a mental institution,and one of the main patients is a former astronaut who had a nervous breakdown right before he was to go to space..
That's fascinating!
I loved your comment when Chris MacNeil is walking through the attic you mentioned the lack of music makes it scarier. William Friedkin specifically called that out in the amazing documentary Leap of Faith (currently on Shudder). He said his use of music and using non-traditional sounds elevate that uneasy feeling. He shot this movie more like a documentary so there isn't a lot of comfort going on here. The lack of music (like the scene you referenced) makes it feel like you're in the attic with Chris or in the room with the priests as they exorcise the demon. Super effective and I wish more modern directors would follow this approach.
the exorcist is a milesone in cinema since it doesnt only tells the horror story but it gathers elements of drama and cultual ethnic related scenes...like livinng and experiencing the 70s thru the director s eyes...and the film leaves in us very deep impact for next few days
Linda Blair won a Golden Globe for her performance and the mother is an Oscar winning actress from another film. They were Jesuit priests from Georgetown University part of the worldwide network.
Nominated for 10 Oscars including Best Picture but won for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Sound Editing. It was a huge success at the box office, making $440 million dollars against a $13 million dollar budget. Its also said to be cursed as most of the actors and crew got into unexplained accidents before and during filming. If adjusted for inflation it would have made $1 billion dollars.
Holy shit. I gotta look into the on-set accidents now.
@@ShreeNation There is documentary series called Cursed films involving Horror movies that include
The Exorcist
The Omen
Twilight Zone The MOVIE
The Crow
Poltergeist
@@shainewhite2781 Thanks!
I mean, I feel like the accidents are pretty explicable: the director was careless with the safety of his cast and crew. Linda Blair and Ellen Burstyn both suffered long-term back injuries because the director was unethical in his treatment of them. I'm pretty sure the line where Reagan yells "it's killing me" as she bounces up an down on the bed is not acting, but her response to the harness jerking her spine around.
Exorcist 3 is an excellent continuation of the story done by the writer of the original book.
And definitely not "Exorcist II".
Hi Shree, great reaction. Just a couple quick thoughts:
You're very intelligent and self-aware to acknowledge your generation's "scare-ability" when it comes to more recent horror movies. It's telling to think that the only jump scare in this film is a freaking phone ring, LOL.
I think what makes this movie so effective, and why you felt the way you did -- are for subtle reasons like
1) it doesn't play like a horror movie, it plays it "straight" if that makes sense. If I'm not mistaken, I believe the director was a documentary filmmaker prior to this, which would be why it feels so real and visceral. Bringing that kind of experience has got to count for something.
2) during many of the horrifying scenes, the music is minimal, or non-existent. True to real life, there isn't a soundtrack that plays when scary things actually happen.
3) and lastly, whether you're religious or not, the exorcism itself, failed. They didn't cast out the demon, instead, Karris had to invite the demon into himself, then with his last bit of self-control and willpower he sacrificed himself to save Regan. That's a bittersweet ending for him because he "found his faith" you might say, at the very end, and it cost him his life. But at the same time, the ritual of the exorcism didn't work, either. That's a scary thought, especially for those who believe in that kind of spirituality.
Thank you :) I agree, the movie takes it slow and quiet and when it delivers the horror, it stays in the mind forever. Kudos to the director and everyone involved with the film
This is not a horror film. It's a psychological thriller, perhaps the most masterfully done of all time. I was eleven when the film came out. I had nightmares for years. Also keep in mind that this was 1073. The movie-going public had never seen such an outrageous and intense film before. This was back before digital distribution, so films would be released to a minimal number of theaters at a time. People stood in lines that went on for blocks, only to leave during the film, crying or vomiting, or would pass out. The hysteria surrounding the film was nothing like you would see today. We've become so desensitized. The book and the film play on people's religious beliefs, as well as the belief in the supernatural. Also, the director used angles and techniques that made you feel uncomfortable. Brilliant! They even brought in giant refrigerator units to make the set cold for real. The director was nuts, and he pissed a lot of people off. When Damien was listening to the tapes of Regan and the phone rang, making him jump, the director shot a gun off near him to get that reaction. In the scene when Regan was flopping around on her bed, they had tied a board to her back, and a 2x4 board on hinges to that. Two men on the other side of the wall were working the board. They ended up injuring her back. When Regan slaps her mother across the room after the "lick me" part, the pain on the mother's face was real. They had her in a harness connected to a rope, so when Regan slapped her she went flying. The director told the stage hand working the rope to really give it to her, so he did, injuring her back in the process. They kept the camera on her and kept the take, which really pissed off the actress playing the mother. Father Dryer was actually a priest. He was there as a technical consultant. The scene where he is giving Damien his last rites was acted brilliantly... or was it? The scene was filmed at the end of the day. They had gone through over twenty takes, and Dryer just wasn't getting the emotion that the director was looking for, so the director slapped the shit out of him, an then rolled another take. The shaking in his voice and his hands wasn't acting, it was real.
One of if not THE greatest sound film ever made.
Some additional info FYI: In the novel, the demon Pazuzu was relentless in its attacks, especially on Karl (the butler) and Father Karras. It attacked Karl because he was a Holocaust survivor. It literally punished Father Karras over his sexuality--something no one would have addressed in a movie. The "statue" you saw towards the end was the actual demon Pazuzu. You made a very astute observation when you said (regarding Regan) "it looks scared." It was scared because Father Merrin had already faced this demon once before where the exorcism "damned near killed him." Three different beds were used in the film--one for Regan's bed; one for the apparent "jarring," and the last for the levitation scenes. Ellen Burstyn (the mother) was seriously injured during the filming of the "crucifix scene." Wires were attached so people could yank her making Regan's appearance of super strength. However, the crew pulled too hard and her back was severely injured! Also, Max von Sydow was in his early 40s when he made this. Amazing makeup. I suggest you give the Exorcist III a view. To me, it was as scary as the first one!
Thank you, i will ❤
In theaters people were shocked to gasps or utter silence. It was devastating. Nominated for 10 Academy Awards including Best Picture. And just to make it crazier, it was released on Christmas!
A perfect Christmas movie for the whole family lol
Based on actual events from Maryland in 1949. Published in 1971, The Exorcist changed the landscape of horror. Linda Blair was 12 when filming started. She had a double do some of the physical acting scenes (crucifix masterbation, etc) but a lot of the extreme dialogue was her. The Exorcist was nominated for 10 Oscars and won for screenplay and sound. I like how we get the backstory of our 3 main characters and how they are brought together.
"Based on actual events." Well, no. This is pure fantasy (obviously). The origin story's claims are also fictional, and doesn't much resemble the movie.
@@dudermcdudeface3674 William Peter Blattey wrote this novel based on an incident that happened in 1949 in Maryland. He consulted with one of the priests involved with the incident. Granted, everything that happened in the movie did not happen in Maryland, but it wasn't fantasy or fabricated. Don't give a fuck what you think or believe.
@@jamesharper3933 It doesn't matter who made up the story, it's just a story. And if you don't care what I think or believe, you wouldn't have replied.
@@dudermcdudeface3674 You really do have shit for brains don't you.
@@jamesharper3933 I'm not the guy who thinks a supernatural horror movie is based on reality because a priest told a story in 1949. Grow up.
Not too many people realize that there isn't any musical score to this movie. It gives it a more documentary-style feel to it. Makes it more unsettling overall. Creates and more unsettling without the music being there to guide you along telling you what to expect. You're always left guessing what's coming next.
Very true, this is one of the most "silent" horror movies I've watched in terms of background score
You asked how people reacted in the movie theaters when this came out, some passed out.. some people got up and left the theater, and some people threw up… I was a little kid and I remember seeing it all on the news, along with seeing the long lines for people going in to see it on the news… The next time I saw lines like that on the news was 2 years later for people going to see Jaws.. Jaws was the start of the summer blockbuster movie.. I was too young to see both of them, but I can remember that
Imagine being 12 and doing that kind of acting. Simply amazing. You should watch the behind the scenes of the making of it. Remember there were no computers for cgi or anything like that. All hands on. Interesting to see how they filmed the scene with the cold room. Great reaction!
Thank you! Yes I am definitely gonna watch the BTS footage of this, it's going to be fun and educational 👌
Great reaction. I recall when this was released in England early 1974. The effect it had is
impossible to describe.
I saw this film when it first came out in 73, back then Priests from the Catholic Church lead protests outside of theaters where the movie was supposed to be shown but that didn't stop the release and people flocked to watch it back then. To answer your question when the Priest died who was possessed by the Demon (who's name is Pazuzu) or Spirit did not die, it just left the dead body to return to either where it came from originally or left in search of another body to possess. That's a good reason not to mess around with Quija Boards, when using them it's very possible that you could be inviting a Demon Spirit, when your intention was to contact a loved one, Demons are liars and love disguising themselves to find a human weak enough to attach themselves to them. I don't think anyone will ever top this movie, once watched it will stay with you forever. I enjoy your reviews and reactions, take care and stay safe
Thanks for this. Some reactors chat throughout a film....... some reactors talk and talk about things that aren't even related to the film. You however remained engaged and present....despite the films temptation to make one disengage... This reaction was 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Been a year, hope you have recovered thus far.
Thanks so much for watching, I'm doing better now :)
A couple of years later... the comment about the theater audience's experience... theaters were jammed. Everyone jumping, screaming, runnijng. And they did this months in. Watching this on TV or home-video or a li'l phone cannot ever convey the power of the shared horror and fright of a packed audience's reaction.
lots and lots of people in the theater fainted, ran out, became sick.....it was wild
Even though it is visually stunning, one thing that the film doesn't explain very well at the beginning to those who read the novel is the scene with Father Merrin's dig in Iraq. I always hear or read complaints that, "It doesn't make sense", "It's boring", etc. from first time viewers. With the beginning of the film, Father Merrin uncovers the head of a little figurine of the demon Pazuzu, whom he recognized because he had previously exorcised the demon years ago. So then he has a premonition later that another battle with Pazuzu is coming, with the clock randomly stopping and him almost getting ran over by the carriage. So to confirm his suspicions he goes to some old ruins where there is an old statue of Pazuzu and knows for certain when he sees the dogs fighting each other (the dogs of war have been unleashed). The dissolve to Georgetown right after is to show you where this battle between good and evil is going to take place. We also learn in this scene that Fr. Merrin has a heart condition and takes these little medicinal pills for it. His first battle with the demon "almost killed him" as we hear later.
Thank you for the explanation :)
@@ShreeNation The pleasure is shared, hoping that the film is now more understandable to you. ;-)
A huge refrigerator was built around Reagan’s bedroom set. It was really very cold while those scenes were shot. They could only film about 15 minutes at a time because the lights would heat the fairly quickly.
I think you’re the only reactor I’ve seen who understood Regan having a vague memory and that being the reason for her farewell to the priest at the end.
The crucifix scene is definitely the most traumatizing thing I’ve still ever seen in a film.
Loved the reaction, though I get why fans say you talk a lot. 😂 I kept worrying you were missing important dialogue. But very fun and intelligent commentary nonetheless.
Hah thank you, unfortunately the copyright gods have forced me to talk more and react less 😅
@@ShreeNation totally understandable. I just come from a movie obsessed family which has always been focused on not missing dialogue so I’m always like that with people and get concerned they’re missing stuff. How I’ve been conditioned since I was little. 😅
This is probably my favorite reaction video to this movie cause it makes me feel like I am seeing one of the original viewers from 1973 when some people were fainting or almost fainting and some were vomiting too and had to run out of the theater.
Thank you so much ❤
Well girl. I saw this movie when I was 11 years old in the theatre. There were people holding signs, protesting. Against the profanity and violence. While watching people did get up, scream and run out. A few vomited in the isle. There was nothing anything like this prior. All I can say is Im glad it was bright sunshine outside, when Movie was over. Well girl your reactions are priceless. The movie did to you, just what it was supposed to do. Make you uneasy, anxious, sick and now afraid to sleep in the dark. So there are a lot of sequels but nothing equalled the original. AS
some side trivia the movie took 9 months to film and there were many unexplained incidents as well as a fire. Many got injured. The mom , really hurt her back when she was thrown onto the floor after the devil punched her. It was not a fake scream it was for real. Don't you just love 1970s medical tech? That was state of the art them. Seems barberic now.
They had to use 4 a/c in the room to get the temp so cold. The movie is based upon a true event. An exorcisim done in 1949 on a possessed boy. If you want to know the details about Father Merrick life prior to the dig in Iraq, watch the movie DOMINION. It's about him and the dig in Iraq. It's also a very intense "Horror" movie.. The Vatican has officially sealed the detailed records. So since your a ""Horror" fan and Halloween is soon to come..
Have you watched ALIEN '79 and the sequel ALIENS.. Both very scary movies..There are a bunch more sequels but the others are junk. Well now I've found your channel, I'll watch some more of your reactions.
Thank you for the info about the theater reactions, it's so fascinating how it affected so many people! I've seen both Alien movies but unfortunately only my Aliens reaction is up for now. I hope you enjoy and I'm glad you're here :)
I like when Damien losing his cool and screaming you're not my mother lol
It's a real testament to the makers of this film that 50 years after its release, it can still shock and un-nerve folks. And doesn't Ellen Burstyn give a phenomenal performance? Her character's inner turmoil is palpable. And Mercedes McCambridge's vocal performance as Pazuzu is Oscar worthy.
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Max Von Sydow was only in his 40s when the played Merrin. When he returned as a younger Merrin in 1977's EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC he didn't need the makeup to look older.
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In the novel, Lt. Kinderman showed up at the McNeil house to arrest Regan for the murder of Burke Dennings, right as Kerras threw himself out of the window. After he saw Regan, he pieced together what occurred and actually ended up covering up the details for Chris and Regan's privacy.
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Also in the novel, whenever Regan's head would "spin", it was described as an illusion that the demon would project at people in order to elicit shock and fear. When Chris saw this, she was so jarred that she fainted.
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I hope you do reaction vids to the other films in this franchise ...
EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC (1977) [a total shit show ... couldn't decide if it was horror film or a sci-film]
THE EXORCIST III: LEGION (1990) [my favorite sequel]
DOMINION: PREQUEL TO THE EXORCIST (2004) [decent prequel]
EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING (2005) [idiotic prequel]
Thank you for the info, and for the recommendations 😍
The little tablets the old priest too were called Nitro. People with heart problems place one under the tongue and it dissolves and helps prevent an oncoming chest pains of a heart attack. I cannot believe how many young people don't know what that is. If you ever see a person holding their chest, ask them where their Nitro tablets are and have them put it under their tongue.
Heart attacks are an older person's disease that young people may not understand. Just like type 1 diabetes is a young person's disease that older people with type 2 diabetes may not understand.
This movie is terrifying because the scenes get burned in your mind like for months! Is a very good film that I only watched once or twice lol
Linda Blair will live forever, always remembered and respected for her performance as Regan as long as the human race exists and appreciates talent in cinema
Love that she has enough of a sense of humor about her cinematic past to be in "Repossessed" with Leslie Neilsen
Shree when you looked around your room a couple of times and the lights flickered made me LMFAO!!! 5 stars.
😄😄 thank you
In case you are interested, there are several Exorcist sequels & a prequel. Many aspects are explained, one of them about father Merrin's past experiences as an exorcist.
Well done for getting through it, Shree. It ain't an easy film to watch. I first saw it on video in the early 80's and it scared the living bejezus out of me. I wanted to stop watching after the cross scene, too, but I was watching with friends and I didn't want to lose face.
Ed Catt i saw it in the Cinima when i was 12 and people were Passing out and i could not enjoy it as there were paramidics taking peopleinto causralty so i coukd not c=wtch it so went a few mounths ater and there were no disturbances a few gasps a very good film
Thank you :) I can definitely relate to the "losing face", been there too many times with horror movies and friends thinking I'm a wuss for bailing.
I watched this movie as a tv rerun way back in 1977, it scared the living sh*t out of me.....my parents let me watch it with them and it is a friday fright time back then,,,,,60s and 70s movies usually start with a slow pace, reserving the full climax of the story in the last 20 or 30 minutes of the movie, they let the viewers savor all the details as the story progress'. Linda Blair became famous after this movie,
You asked how people reacted... they were printing articles in local papers warning people that these screenings were swamping all of the ambulance service. Theaters were all stocking up on smelling salts. etc. And that was without the crabwalk scene in the original release.
Exorcist is still considered the greatest horror movie of all time.
It caused actual deaths in theaters.
A few people died of heart attacks and some fainted.
My mom didn't allow me to watch...I watched it for the first time when I was 18 years old in 1999.
At 40 year's old and I cant watch this movie alone.
Oh my god! I feel so bad for those people.
for those days it would have been a shock its a very good film and well made
This is probably one of my favorite reactions to the film.
William Peter Blatty, who wrote the novel and the screenplay and produced the film, has said the point of the "crucifix masterbation" scene is not to shock the audience. In terms of the writing, he said he came to a point in the story of what was the worst thing he could think of that would finally convince this atheist/agnostic mother that this is supernatural and her daughter is possessed and needs a priest.
Mercedes Macambridge, an actress from the golden age of Hollywood, provided the voice of the demon.
Don't laugh, but the movie, in many ways, is a love story. Father Karras commits the ultimate act of love by sacrificing his life for someone he never met. Remember, he only met the demon, he never met Reagan.
Thank you, that really means a lot :') And thanks for your insight, Father Karras definitely did the noblest thing which perhaps saved everyone in that house.
@@ShreeNation actually do you know what most people found the most disturbing imagery? The medical examinations.
@@robertkramer2271 I can imagine. They were so torturous and unnecessary.
A couple of those priests were also REAL. You mentioned sleeping with the lights on. At 66.....I'm STILL sleeping with at least the television on because of this movie.
Haha, I don't blame you ;)
A lot of things work well in The Exorcist. Owen Roizman's photography is superb without once calling attention to itself (he did Dog Day Day Afternoon and Mikey and Nicky), the special effects are seamless and timeless (the cracks in the wall), and the academy-award-winning sound design works wonders on the nerves; however, if there is one element that deserves recognition, it is Ellen Burstyn's performance. Unfortunately, it's overshadowed a little by the pea soup and twisting necks. If that performance isn't right, it all falls apart and becomes ridiculous. She makes you believe it's really happening. She'd win an award the next year for Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, but she's just as good in this.
Yes Ellen Burstyn’s performance is heartbreaking. She and Linda Blair and Jason Miller deserved their Oscar nominations.
She definitely sold the film for me. Her panic and anger followed by her depression was so real.
There is the cinema reaction in RUclips, people were fainting it's was the first major horror movie that got everyone messed up.