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Here
it goes: The Exorcist is the greatest horror movie of all
time.
It is based upon the acclaimed "true life" novel by William
Peter Blatty, who in turn adapted it into a screenplay which was
brought to life with uncompromising force by director William Friedkin.
The film is set in Georgetown where the 12 year old daughter of
a popular Hollywood actress (Ellen Burstyn) begins to exhibit bizarre
behaviour which leads to her transformation into a deformed and
dangerous imitation of herself. After numerous psychological and
medical examinations come up with no explanation of what is the
cause of her condition, a Jesuit priest (Jason Miller) who is going
through a crisis of faith must determine if the child is in fact
possessed and requires an exorcism.
The Exorcist contains quite a visceral, aural, and philosophical
impact. Friedkin does not rush proceedings, but rather he takes
his time establishing mood, character, and heart thumping suspense
which leads to some truly terrifying and effective scares.
There are many confronting scenes: a bloody medical procedure; child
actress Linda Blair - who plays the possessed girl - mutilating
herself with a crucifix; the subsequent 180o spinning of her head;
and a spider walk down a staircase which concludes with a blood
curling scream.
Also, Friedkin shows his hand as a superb visualist with a surreal
and chilling dream sequence.
Many of these scenes work due to the amazing make up effects - which
made Blair's transformation look extremely realistic - and special
effects which have not only stood the test of time, but are much
more effective compared to today's CGI standards.
Combined with the films excellent sound mix and its eerie as hell
score by Steve Boeddeker, various moments had me jumping out of
my skin.
An incredible cast provide convincing performances. The two lead
roles are played by Ellen Burstyn, who plows through a gauntlet
of emotions in her portrayal of a distressed mother who watches
on as her daughter turns into a monster; and by Jason Miller, who
gives a heart breaking turn as the lapsed priest guilt ridden over
the death of his mother who dies earlier in the picture.
The young Linda Blair puts on a brave performance in the daunting
role of a foul mouthed, crazed, self mutilating creature. Her performance
is enhanced by the superb voice work of Mercedes McCambridge who
reportedly drank raw eggs and whisky, and chain smoked to achieve
the un-Godly demon growl featured in the film.
Other roles are performed admirably by Kitty Winn as Burstyn's assistant,
Lee J. Cobb as a police detective investigating a murder case which
implicates the possessed child, and the excellent Max Von Sydow
as a fragile and battle scarred man of the cloth.
Apart from its confronting and shocking nature, The Exorcist
is also a film which asks many theological questions in regards
to faith and the roles of good and evil in the world.
Its deep philosophical slant drives a deep wedge between it and
other films of its ilk, which do not have the intelligence or substance
to tackle such themes, as this movie so cleverly does.
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