The Exorcist
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In quite easily the most terrifying film of all time, William
Peter Blatty's chilling comes to life in it's accounts of a young girl who becomes
possessed by the Devil. The Exorcist, which is based on a true story
involving a young boy from Georgetown in the late 40's, begins when young Regan McNeil
(Horror Queen Linda Blair) suddenly begins to change from the sweet and innocent 12 year
old girl that her mother (Ellen Burstyn) has always known into something different,
something dangerous. In addition to the changes in her daughter's personality (violent mood swings, coarse language) Mrs. McNeil is a witness to various strange happenings within their home, such as inexplicable scratching noises coming from the attic, and the flickering of lights. Distraught over what is happening to Regan, Mrs. McNeil decides to take her to the doctor following a nasty incident involving urination during a dinner party. |
| The young girl is left with no choice but to suffer bravely
through a barrage of painful tests (including a spinal tap) as the baffled doctors try to
unravel the mystery regarding what has come over her. A brain lesion is the best answer
the experts can come up with, only there was no lesion, at least not one which they could
detect. Frustrated and increasingly pessimistic, Mrs. McNeil decides to look into the
ancient act of Exorcism. Father Damien Karras (Jason Miller) is asked to examine Regan from the position of both a Jesuit Priest and a Psychologist. Karras does so and goes through various methods of determining whether or not Regan's case of possession is authentic, and therefore worthy of the Exorcism Rites. Some of the proving factors include: speaking in a language other than their own, foul language, telepathy, ability to move objects without physically touching them, and extreme fear of Christian artifacts (such as a Crucifix or Holy Water). |
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When Father Karras and the Catholic Church feel satisfied
that Regan is indeed possessed by demonic forces, and with the medical profession
completely dumbfounded concerning her condition, an Exorcism is scheduled. Father Merrin
(Max von Sydow) is chosen as the exorcist as he had received prior experience in the
ritual while touring Africa. Merrin, quite elderly and in fraile health takes Karras as
his assistant and the ritual begins. While the two men pray over Regan's body, they are met with an onslaught of cussing, screaming, writhing and...Well, puking. The film ends in a dramatic climax which leaves a chill in the bones and a certain sadness as well. So put on your grandmother's Depends and watch this puppy. (I nearly peed in my pants in terror the first time!) |
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