The part went instead to Blair, a relative unknown except for a role in The Way We Live Now.įriedkin originally intended to use Blair's voice, electronically deepened and roughened, for the demon's dialogue. Anissa Jones, known for her role as Buffy in Family Affair, auditioned for the role, but she too was rejected, for much the same reason as Ferdin. Denise Nickerson, who played Violet Beauregarde in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, was considered, but the material troubled her parents too much, and they pulled her out of consideration. April Winchell was considered, until she developed Pyelonephritis, which caused her to be hospitalized and ultimately taken out of consideration. Pamelyn Ferdin, a veteran of science fiction and supernatural drama, was a candidate for the role of Regan. Friedkin is not a Christian of any denomination.Īlthough the agency representing Linda Blair did not send her for the role, Blair's mother brought her to meet with Warner Brothers's casting department and then with Friedkin. Friedkin doesn't believe that the "head-spinning" actually occurred, but this has been disputed. In order to make the film, Friedkin was allowed access to the diaries of the priests involved, as well as the doctors and nurses he also discussed the events with the boy's aunt in great detail. The Exorcist 1973 VHS distributed by Warner Home Video. It was one of three exorcisms to be sanctioned by the Catholic Church in the U.S. Hunkeler's Catholic family was convinced the child's aggressive behavior was attributable to demonic possession, and called upon the services of Father Walter Halloran to perform the rite of exorcism.Īlthough Friedkin admits he is very reluctant to speak about the factual aspects of the film, he made the film with the intention of immortalizing the events that took place in Cottage City, Maryland in 1949, and despite the relatively minor changes that were made, the film depicts everything that could be verified by those involved. 2 in Channel 4's The 100 Greatest Scary Moments in the United Kingdom.Īspects of the novel were inspired by an exorcism performed on a young boy from Cottage City, Maryland, in 1949 by the Jesuit priest, Fr. In 2010, the Library of Congress selected the film to be preserved as part of its National Film Registry. 3 on Bravo's The 100 Scariest Movie Moments. It was named the scariest film of all time by Entertainment Weekly and and by viewers of AMC in 2006, and was No. The film has had a significant influence on popular culture. The original teaser trailer, which consisted of nothing but images of the white-faced demon quickly flashing in and out of darkness, was banned in many theaters, as it was deemed "too frightening". It is also the first horror film to be nominated for Best Picture. It became one of the highest-grossing films of all time, grossing over $441 million worldwide. The film earned 10 Academy Award nominations, winning two (Best Sound Mixing and Best Adapted Screenplay), and losing Best Picture to The Sting. The Exorcist was released theatrically in the United States by Warner Bros. It is one of a cycle of "demonic child" films produced from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s, including Rosemary's Baby and The Omen. Cobb, and (in voice only) Mercedes McCambridge. The film features Linda Blair, Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Jason Miller, Lee J. The book, inspired by the 1949 exorcism case of Roland Doe, deals with the demonic possession of a 12-year-old girl and her mother's desperate attempts to win back her child through an exorcism conducted by two priests. Info: The Exorcist is a 1973 American supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin, adapted by William Peter Blatty from his 1971 novel of the same name. And, book-ending the story, a frail, elderly priest recognizes the necessity for a show-down with an old demonic enemy. Meanwhile, a young priest at nearby Georgetown University begins to doubt his faith while dealing with his mother's terminal sickness. Plot: A visiting actress in Washington, D.C., notices dramatic and dangerous changes in the behavior and physical make-up of her 12-year-old daughter. Running time: 122 min, 132 min (Director's cut) Cobb, Kitty Winn, Jack MacGowran, Jason Miller, Mercedes McCambridgeĮditing by: Norman Gay, Jordan Leondopoulos, Evan A. Starring: Linda Blair, Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Lee J. Based on: The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
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