The Exorcist (R)
Cast: Linda Blair, Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Jason Miller
Release Date: December 26, 1973
Runtime: 2 hr. 1 mins.
Genre: Horror
William Friedkin directs one of the most horrifying movies ever made. When a charming 12-year-old girl takes on the characteristics and voices of others, doctors say there is nothing they can do. As people begin to die, the girl's mother realizes her daughter has been possessed by the devil--and that her daughter's only possible hope lies with two priests and the ancient rite of demonic exorcism.
Review
The definitive horror film returns to the big screen, with some never-before-seen material that not only gives Warners a neat-o marketing tool, but actually sheds light on a few of the flick's enduring mysteries.
Story
You know it by heart. Young Regan (Linda Blair) starts speaking Latin, bouncing around on a shaking bed and rotating her head 360 degrees, so her famous-actress mom (Ellen Burstyn) searches for answers, finally employing the services of a priest-psychiatrist (Jason Miller) and a legendary exorcist (Max von Sydow) whose battles with the devil have left him frail. What makes this more than just a cool scary flick is that it's actually about something -- namely, the erosion of faith and family that makes our kids easy prey for Satan ... or for drugs, violence and other nasty stuff.
Acting
Virtually every actor is flawless in this film, and the fact that their performances hold up 27 years later (none of the acting seems dated or hokey) is remarkable. Director William Friedkin made two legendary casting coups in this film: playwright and first-time film actor Jason Miller is perfect as the faith-fractured Father Karras, and Linda Blair is totally convincing both as the sweet little girl and the profanity-spewing, green-puke-spitting demon.
Direction
If you're expecting those jump-out-of-your-seat scares from start to finish, you'll be disappointed. ''The Exorcist'' is a film that takes its own (devilishly) sweet time getting where it's going.
Bottom Line
After all this time, ''The Exorcist'' is still one hell of a movie.
Synopsis
William Friedkin directs one of the most horrifying movies ever made. When a charming 12-year-old girl takes on the characteristics and voices of others, doctors say there is nothing they can do. As people begin to die, the girl's mother realizes her daughter has been possessed by the devil--and that her daughter's only possible hope lies with two priests and the ancient rite of demonic exorcism.