The Exorcist
Directed by William Friedkin. US. 1973. R. 122 min. Warner Bros. 35mm.
- Sun, Oct 16, 2:00 pm
Heads turn when twelve-year-old Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair) enters a room. Or at least hers does, after her body is taken over by the devil in this horrifying adaptation of William Peter Blattyʼs sensational best-selling novel. A very controversial film in its time, The Exorcist has lost none of its ability to shock, scare and, at times, repulse – this despite the fact that it has inspired innumerable imitations, sequels and gross-out spectacles over the years. One reason for its lasting ability to affect us is the fact that each of the characters involved – Ellen Burstyn as Reganʼs frantic mother, Jason Miller as the spiritually overwhelmed young priest, Lee J. Cobb as the increasingly credulous cop, and Max von Sydow as the exorcist – is portrayed with insight and compassion. And Linda Blair, as Regan herself, never loses the audienceʼs sympathy, despite the vile and often obscene things she is made to say and do. If you want to give yourself a really good scare, this is still the movie to do it. (Bill Roth)
We’re showing a 35mm print of the 2000 re-release.