The Exorcist is based upon the acclaimed novel by William Peter Blatty, who 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 extremely bizarre and dangerous behaviour. 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.
Many of these scenes work due to the amazing make up effects and special effects which have not only stood the test of time, but are much more effective compared to today’s CGI standards.
The films also features an excellent sound mix and eerie as hell film score by Steve Boeddeker.
An incredible cast provide convincing performances. The two lead roles are played by Ellen Burstyn, who plows through a gauntlet of emotions; and by Jason Miller, who gives a heart breaking turn as the lapsed priest guilt ridden over the death of his mother.
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, while its deep philosophical slant drives a wedge between it and other films of its ilk. Highly recommended.