Ryan Chartrand“Somewhere between science and superstition, there is another world. The world of darkness. The Devil Inside.”
As one priest desperately fights to save his waning religious faith, another priest is determined to end a long-term, on-going battle of religious wills. A mother fights to save her daughter’s mortal soul from eternal damnation. As these characters eventually band together in a blend of religion, science and raw faith, the elements culminate themselves into an old-fashioned showdown that eventually leads to a battle with the devil himself.
Film actress Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn), takes her 12-year-old daughter Regan (Linda Blair), to Washington, D.C. to film her new movie. Things begin innocently enough as Chris and Regan share a normal mother/daughter relationship. Eventually, after Chris notices that Regan begins exhibiting signs of mental and physical change, the girl is taken for tests. The doctors have no solid answers, only that Regan is suffering from “nerves.”
As Regan’s condition continues to drastically worsen, Chris is at the end of her wits.
Only when Chris’ director and close friend, Burke Dennings (Jack MacGowran), dies after taking a nasty tumble down the concrete stairs outside Regan’s bedroom window, does Chris begin to suspect something more sinister about her daughter’s personality.
Regan’s bewildered doctors quietly inform Chris to consult a priest about an unorthodox treatment: an exorcism.
Chris meets Father Damien Karras, a priest who is experiencing a rather trying time concerning the level of his faith and devotion.
Karras has difficulty believing what Chris has told him about her daughter. That is, until he actually goes to see the girl in person, and even then his doubts remain.
After a series of tests, Karras is finally convinced enough to take the MacNeil’s case to the upper echelons of the Catholic Church.
Enter Father Lankester Merrin (Max von Sydow), a priest who has just returned from the Middle East.
Merrin is called in because he has previous experience with a recent exorcism. Ironically, the demon possessing Regan, named Pazuzu, and Merrin are mysteriously connected.
As Merrin and Karras arrive at the MacNeil home, the final battle between good and evil is staged upstairs in Regan’s bedroom.
Merrin and Karras endure a long night of blatant cursing, head turning, green vomit spitting and all-out debauchery, as they valiantly fight for the very soul of the young girl they are desperately trying to save.
The film was adapted from the 1971 novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty. “The Exorcist” made its official theatrical premiere Dec. 26, 1973.
Helmed by acclaimed director William Friedkin, the film won two Academy Awards: the Best Writing/Best Screenplay Award and the Best Sound Award for motion picture soundtrack.
The film also received nominations in several other categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Leading Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor and a handful of others.
From small novel to big screen adaptation, “The Exorcist” has spawned a series of sequels and prequels, the likes of which have never been equaled in the history of filmdom.
With such memorable movie lines as “what an excellent day for an exorcism” uttered by the evil demon, Pazuzu, “The Exorcist” is sure to remain a favorite among horror fans.