Edit filter log

'{{Infobox film | name = The Exorcist | image = The Exorcist anthology DVD.jpg | image_size = | caption = ''The Exorcist: The Complete Anthology'' box set containing all 5 films | director = [[William Friedkin]] (''1'')<br />[[John Boorman]] (''2'')<br />[[William Peter Blatty]] (''3'')<br />[[Renny Harlin]] (''4'')<br />[[Paul Schrader]] (''5'') | producer = Carter DeHaven<br />[[John Boorman]]<br />[[William Peter Blatty]]<br />[[Noel Marshall]] | writer = [[William Peter Blatty]]<br />(''1'', ''3'')<br />William Goodhart<br />'''Uncredited:'''<br />[[John Boorman]]<br />[[Rospo Pallenberg]]<br />(''2'') | starring = see individual articles | music = Barry Devorzon<br />[[Ennio Morricone]]<br />[[Jack Nitzsche]]<br />[[Mike Oldfield]] | cinematography = [[Gerry Fisher]]<br />[[William A. Fraker]] | editing = Peter Lee Thompson<br />Todd Ramsay<br />[[Tom Priestley]]<br />Norman Gay | studio = [[Morgan Creek Productions]] (''3 – 5'') | distributor = [[Warner Bros.]]<br />[[20th Century Fox]] (''3'') | released = {{Plainlist| * 26 December 1973 (''1'') * 17 June 1977 (''2'') * 17 August 1990 (''3'') * 20 August 2004 (''4'') * 26 May 2005 (''5'') }} | country = United States | language = [[English language|English]] | runtime = | budget = $147 million | gross = $661 million<br />(worldwide total, all five films) }} '''''The Exorcist''''' is an American [[horror film|horror]] [[Media franchise|franchise]] consisting of five installments based on the novel ''[[The Exorcist (novel)|The Exorcist]]'', created by [[William Blatty]], and part of [[The Exorcist]] franchise. The films have been distributed by [[Warner Bros.]] and [[20th Century Fox]]. The films have grossed over [[United States dollar|$]]661 million at the worldwide box office. Critics have given the films mixed reviews. In 2004, a prequel (''[[Exorcist: The Beginning]]'') was released. This was the second version of the prequel film made at that time as the first version (directed by [[Paul Schrader]]) was deemed unsatisfactory by the studio upon completion, and the entire project was refilmed by director [[Renny Harlin]]. However, Schrader's version received a limited release in 2005, after Harlin's, and was titled ''[[Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist]]''. On January 22, 2016, [[20th Century Fox Television]] announced they were developing a [[The Exorcist (TV series)|television series]] of ''The Exorcist''.<ref>{{cite web|title=‘The Exorcist’ Pilot Ordered at Fox with Modern Twist|url=http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/the-exorcist-tv-series-pilot-fox-1201686653/|last=Prudom|first=Laura|website=Variety.com|accessdate=February 2, 2016}}</ref> It premiered on September 23, 2016. ==Films== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width:99%; |- ! rowspan="2" | Crew/detail |- ! style=width:20%; | ''[[The Exorcist (film)|The Exorcist]]''<br>(1973) ! style=width:20%; | ''[[Exorcist II: The Heretic]]''<br>(1977) ! style=width:20%; | ''[[The Exorcist III]]''<br>(1990) ! style=width:20%; | ''[[Exorcist: The Beginning]]''<br>(2004) ! style=width:20%; | ''[[Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist]]''<br>(2005) |- ! Director | [[William Friedkin]] | [[John Boorman]] | William Peter Blatty | [[Renny Harlin]] | [[Paul Schrader]] |- ! Producer | [[William Peter Blatty]] | John Boorman<br>Richard Lederer | Carter DeHaven<br>[[James G. Robinson]] | colspan="2" | [[James G. Robinson]] |- ! Writer | William Peter Blatty | William Goodhart | William Peter Blatty | Alexi Hawley<br>[[William Wisher Jr.]] (story)<br>[[Caleb Carr]] (story) | William Wisher Jr.<br>Caleb Carr |- ! Composer | [[Mike Oldfield]]<br>[[Jack Nitzsche]] | [[Ennio Morricone]] | [[Barry De Vorzon]] | [[Trevor Rabin]] | Trevor Rabin<br>[[Angelo Badalamenti]]<br>[[Dog Fashion Disco]] |- ! Cinematography | [[Owen Roizman]]<br>[[Billy Williams (cinematographer)|Billy Williams]] | [[William A. Fraker]] | [[Gerry Fisher]] | colspan="2" | [[Vittorio Storaro]] |- ! Editor | Evan A. Lottman<br>Norman Gay | [[Tom Priestley]] | Todd Ramsay<br>Peter Lee Thompson | [[Mark Goldblatt]]<br>Todd E. Miller | Tim Silano |- ! Production Company | Hoya Productions | N/A | colspan="3" | [[Morgan Creek Productions]] |- ! Distributor | colspan="2" | [[Warner Bros.]] | [[20th Century Fox]] | colspan="2" | Warner Bros. |- ! Runtime | 121 minutes | 117 minutes | 110 minutes | 114 minutes | 116 minutes |- ! Release date | December 26, 1973 | June 17, 1977 | August 17, 1990 | August 20, 2004 | May 26, 2005 |} ===''The Exorcist''=== {{Main|The Exorcist (film)}} Based on the 1971 novel by [[William Peter Blatty]], ''The Exorcist'' marries three scenarios into one plot. The movie opens with Father Merrin ([[Max von Sydow]]) on an archaeological dig in [[Hatra|Al-hadar]], near [[Nineveh]], in [[Iraq]]. He is alerted that a small carving is found in the dig, resembling a grimacing, bestial creature. After talking to one of his supervisors, he travels to a statue of [[Pazuzu (The Exorcist)|Pazuzu]]; the small carving resembles the head of the statue. He sees ominous figures and two dogs fight viciously nearby, setting the tone for the rest of the film. ===''Exorcist II: The Heretic''=== {{Main|Exorcist II: The Heretic}} Father Philip Lamont ([[Richard Burton]]), who is struggling with his faith, is assigned by the [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]] ([[Paul Henreid]]) to investigate the death of Father Lankester Merrin ([[Max von Sydow]]). Merrin was killed in the first film during the exorcism of [[Regan MacNeil]] ([[Linda Blair]]). The Cardinal informs Lamont (who has had some experience at exorcism, and has been exposed to Merrin's teachings) that Merrin is being investigated posthumously for heresy. Despite approval of the McNeil exorcism by a bishop, the Church is no longer convinced that McNeil was truly possessed, and the controversial nature of Merrin's books on the subject are being reconsidered as politically and theologically suspect. ===''The Exorcist III''=== {{Main|The Exorcist III}} [[Film adaptation|Adapted]] and directed by Blatty from his 1983 novel ''[[Legion (Blatty novel)|Legion]]'', the film stars [[George C. Scott]] and several cast members ([[Jason Miller (playwright)|Jason Miller]], [[Ed Flanders]], [[Scott Wilson (actor)|Scott Wilson]] and [[George DiCenzo]]) from Blatty's previous film ''[[The Ninth Configuration]]''. The story takes place 17 years after the events of ''[[The Exorcist (film)|The Exorcist]]'' and centers on the philosophical police detective William F. Kinderman from the first film. He investigates a series of brutal murders in [[Georgetown, Washington, D.C.|Georgetown]] that resemble the ''[[modus operandi]]'' of a serial killer executed about the time of the McNeil exorcism. Originally titled '''''Legion''''', the film was drastically changed after rewrites and re-shoots ordered by the studio [[Morgan Creek Productions]].<ref name="A Legion of Interference">''Fangoria'' #122 (May 1993)</ref> Studio executives demanded the addition of an exorcism sequence, and retitled the film as ''The Exorcist III'' in order to more strongly tie the film to the rest of the franchise. All of the deleted footage is apparently lost.<ref name="tncf">http://www.theninthconfiguration.com/</ref> ===''Exorcist: The Beginning''=== {{Main|Exorcist: The Beginning}} The plot revolves around the crisis of faith suffered by [[Lankester Merrin|Father Merrin]] (Stellan Skarsgård) following the horrific events he witnessed during [[World War II]]. After WWII, Merrin is an [[archaeologist]] in [[Cairo]], when he is approached by a collector of antiquities who asks him to come to a British excavation in the Turkana region of [[Kenya]]. This dig is excavating a [[Christian]] [[Byzantine]] [[Church (building)|church]] from the 5th century—long before Christianity had reached that region. Further, the church is in perfect condition, as though it had been buried immediately after the construction was completed. Merrin is asked to participate in the dig and find an ancient relic hidden in the ruins before the British do. Merrin takes the job, but soon discovers that all is not well—something evil lies in the church and is infecting the region. The local tribesman hired to dig refuse to enter the building, and there are stories of an epidemic that wiped out an entire village. However, when Merrin, growing suspicious of these rumors, digs up one of the graves of the supposed victims of this plague, he discovers it is empty. Meanwhile, the evil grows, turning people against each other and resulting in violence, atrocities, and more bloodshed ===''Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist''=== {{Main|Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist}} Many years before the events in ''[[The Exorcist (film)|The Exorcist]]'', the young Father Lankester Merrin (played by Skarsgård, who played the same part in the ''[[Exorcist: The Beginning]]'') travels to [[East Africa]]. Merrin has taken a sabbatical from the Church and devoted himself to history and archaeology as he struggles with his shattered faith. He is haunted especially by an incident in small village in occupied Holland during [[World War II]], where he served as parish priest. Near the end of the war, a sadistic Nazi SS commander, in retaliation for the murder of a German trooper, forces Merrin to participate in arbitrary executions in order to save a full village from slaughter. He meets up with a team of archaeologists, who are seeking to unearth a church that they believe has been buried for centuries. At first, Merrin resists the idea that supernatural forces are in play, but eventually helps them, and the ensuing events result in an encounter with [[Pazuzu (The Exorcist)|Pazuzu]], the same demon referenced in ''[[The Exorcist (film)|The Exorcist]]''. ==Cast== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:99%" |- ! ! style="text-align:center; width:20%;"| ''[[The Exorcist (film)|The Exorcist]]'' (1973) ! style="text-align:center; width:20%;"| ''[[Exorcist II: The Heretic|Exorcist II:<br /><small>The Heretic</small>]]'' (1977) ! style="text-align:center; width:20%;"| ''[[The Exorcist III]]'' (1990) ! style="text-align:center; width:20%;"| ''[[Exorcist: The Beginning|Exorcist:<br /><small>The Beginning</small>]]'' (2004) ! style="text-align:center; width:20%;"| ''[[Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist|Dominion:<br /><small>Prequel to the Exorcist</small>]]'' (2005) |- ! [[Regan MacNeil]] | colspan="2" | [[Linda Blair]] | colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;"| |- ! Chris MacNeil | colspan="1" | [[Ellen Burstyn]] | colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;"| |- ! Father Merrin | colspan="2" | [[Max von Sydow]] | style="background:#d3d3d3;"| | colspan="2" | [[Stellan Skarsgård]] |- ! Sharon Spencer | colspan="2" | [[Kitty Winn]] | colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;"| |- ! Father Karras | colspan="1" | [[Jason Miller (playwright)|Jason Miller]] | style="background:#d3d3d3;"| | colspan="1" | [[Jason Miller (playwright)|Jason Miller]] | colspan="2" style="background:#d3d3d3;"| |- ! Lt. William Kinderman | colspan="1" | [[Lee J. Cobb]] | colspan="1" style="background:#d3d3d3;"| | colspan="1" | [[George C. Scott]] | colspan="2" style="background:#d3d3d3;"| |- ! Burke Dennings | colspan="1" | [[Jack MacGowran]] | colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;"| |- ! Father Dyer | colspan="1" | [[William O'Malley (Jesuit)|William O'Malley]] | colspan="1" style="background:#d3d3d3;"| | colspan="1" | [[Ed Flanders]] | colspan="2" style="background:#d3d3d3;"| |- ! Dr. Klein | colspan="1" | Barton Heyman | colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;"| |- ! Dr. Barringer | colspan="1" | [[Peter Masterson]] | colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;"| |- ! Karras' Mother | colspan="1" | Vasiliki Maliaros | colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;"| |- ! Karras' Uncle | colspan="1" | [[Titos Vandis]] | colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;"| |- ! Dr. Gene Tuskin | style="background:#d3d3d3;"| | [[Louise Fletcher]] | colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;"| |- ! Father Philip Lamont | style="background:#d3d3d3;"| | [[Richard Burton]] | colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;"| |- ! Kokumo | style="background:#d3d3d3;"| | [[James Earl Jones]]<br />Joey Green (Young) | colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;"| |- ! Edwards | style="background:#d3d3d3;"| | [[Ned Beatty]] | colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;"| |- ! Liz | style="background:#d3d3d3;"| | Belinda Beatty | colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;"| |- ! Spanish Girl | style="background:#d3d3d3;"| | Rose Portillo | colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;"| |- ! Gary Tuskin | style="background:#d3d3d3;"| | Shane Butterworth | colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;"| |- ! Linda Tuskin | style="background:#d3d3d3;"| | Joely Adams | colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;"| |- ! Mrs. Phalor | style="background:#d3d3d3;"| | [[Barbara Cason]] | colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;"| |} ==Cut scenes== ===The "spider-walk scene"=== [[Contortionist]] Linda R. Hager was hired to perform the infamous "spider-walk scene" that was filmed on April 11, 1973. Friedkin deleted the scene just prior to the original December 26, 1973 release date because he felt it was ineffective technically. However, with advanced developments in digital media technology, Friedkin worked with [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] artists to make the scene look more convincing for the 2000 theatrically re-released version of ''The Exorcist: The Version You've Never Seen''. Since the original release, myths and rumors still exist that a variety of spider-walk scenes were filmed<ref>http://captainhowdy.com/?page_id=38&xdforum_action=viewthread&xf_id=1&xt_id=888&pstart=0</ref> despite Friedkin's insistence that no alternate version was ever shot.<ref>http://pages.zoom.co.uk/the.exorcist/Html/friedkin_faqs.htm</ref> In 1998, Warner Brothers re-released the [[digitally remastered]] DVD of ''The Exorcist: 25th Anniversary Special Edition''. This DVD includes the special feature BBC documentary, ''The Fear of God: The Making of The Exorcist,''<ref>[http://www.timewarner.com/corp/newsroom/pr/0,20812,666953,00.html Collectors' Tribute to the Film that Frightened the World!!! The Exorcist 25th Anniversary Special Edition]</ref> highlighting the never-before-seen original non-bloody version of the spider-walk scene. The updated "bloody version" of the spider-walk scene appears in the 2000 re-release of ''The Exorcist: The Version You've Never Seen'' utilizing CGI technology to incorporate the special effect of blood pouring from Regan's mouth during this scene’s finale. ===''The Exorcist III''=== Despite his misgivings about the studio-imposed reshoots, Blatty is proud of the finished version of ''The Exorcist III'', having said, “It’s still a superior film. And in my opinion, and excuse me if I utter heresy here, but for me it’s a more frightening film than ''The Exorcist''."<ref name="TEOTS">''The Exorcist: Out of the Shadows'' (Omnibus Press, 1999)</ref> Nevertheless, Blatty had hoped to recover the deleted footage from the Morgan Creek vaults so that he might re-assemble the original cut of the film which he said was "rather different" from what was released, and a version of the film fans of the ''Exorcist'' series have been clamouring for. In 2007, Blatty's wife reported on a [[fan site]] that "My husband tells me that it is Morgan Creek's claim that they have lost all the footage, including an alternate opening scene in which Kinderman views the body of Karras in the morgue, right after his fall down the steps." Mark Kermode has stated that the search for the missing footage is "ongoing".<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markkermode/2009/01/more_points_of_you_part_two.html</ref> An upcoming book titled ''The Evolution Of William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist III: From Concept To Novel To Screen'' by author Erik Kristopher Myers will reveal the whole story behind the film's development, and publish never-before-seen images, the original script, studio notes, various drafts of the story as it has evolved, and interviews with Blatty, Brad Dourif, Mark Kermode, John Carpenter, and many others associated with the film.<ref name="tncf"/> Myers in an interview said that ''The Exorcist III'' "has sort of turned into horror genre’s equivalent to [[Orson Welles]]' ''[[The Magnificent Ambersons]]'', in that it was originally a very classy film that the studio hacked apart and turned into a commercial piece [...] I'm basically trying to chronicle how a film can get away from the auteur and be transformed into a purely commercial product." <ref>http://www.cincity2000.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1546&Itemid=2</ref> ==Reception== Upon its release on December 26, 1973, the film received mixed reviews from critics, “ranging from ‘classic’ to ‘claptrap'."<ref name="Travers">Travers, Peter and Rieff, Stephanie. ''The Story Behind ‘The Exorcist’'', Pg. 149, Signet Books, 1974. {{ISBN|978-0-451-06207-9}}</ref> [[Stanley Kauffmann]], in ''[[The New Republic]]'', wrote, “This is the most scary film I’ve seen in years — the ''only'' scary film I’ve seen in years…If you want to be shaken — and I found out, while the picture was going, that that’s what I wanted — then ''The Exorcist'' will scare the hell out of you.”<ref name="Kauffmann">Kauffmann, Stanley. ''New Republic'' review reprinted in ''The Story Behind ‘The Exorcist’'', written by Peter Travers and Stephanie Rieff, pgs. 152 - 154, Signet Books, 1974. {{ISBN|978-0-451-06207-9}}</ref> ''[[Variety (newspaper)|Variety]]'' noted that it was “an expert telling of a supernatural horror story…The climactic sequences assault the senses and the intellect with pure cinematic terror.”<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117790769.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&query=The+Exorcist |title=The Exorcist|accessdate=2007-11-03|first=|last=|publisher=Variety.com | date=January 1, 1973}}</ref> In ''[[Castle of Frankenstein]]'', [[Joe Dante]] opined, “[A]n amazing film, and one destined to become at the very least a horror classic. Director William Friedkin’s film will be profoundly disturbing to all audiences, especially the more sensitive and those who tend to 'live' the movies they see…Suffice it to say, there has never been anything like this on the screen before.”<ref name="Dante">Dante, Joe. ''Castle of Frankenstein'', Vol 6, No. 2 (Whole Issue #22), pgs. 32-33. Review of ''The Exorcist''</ref> However, [[Vincent Canby]], writing in the ''[[New York Times]]'', dismissed ''The Exorcist'' as “a chunk of elegant occultist claptrap…[A] practically impossible film to sit through…it establishes a new low for grotesque special effects...”<ref name="Canby">Canby, Vincent. ''New York Times'' review reprinted in ''The Story Behind ‘The Exorcist’'', written by Peter Travers and Stephanie Rieff, pgs. 150 - 152, Signet Books, 1974. {{ISBN|978-0-451-06207-9}}</ref> [[Andrew Sarris]] complained that “Friedkin’s biggest weakness is his inability to provide enough visual information about his characters…whole passages of the movie’s exposition were one long buzz of small talk and name droppings…''The Exorcist'' succeeds on one level as an effectively excruciating entertainment, but on another, deeper level it is a thoroughly evil film.”<ref name="Sarris">Sarris, Andrew. ''[[Village Voice]]'' review reprinted in ''The Story Behind ‘The Exorcist’'', written by Peter Travers and Stephanie Rieff, pgs. 154–158, Signet Books, 1974. {{ISBN|978-0-451-06207-9}}</ref> Writing in ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', [[Jon Landau]] felt the film was, “[N]othing more than a religious porn film, the gaudiest piece of shlock this side of [[Cecil B. DeMille]] (minus that gentleman’s wit and ability to tell a story) …”<ref name="Landau">Landau, Jon. ''Rolling Stone'' review reprinted in ''The Story Behind ‘The Exorcist’'', written by Peter Travers and Stephanie Rieff, pgs. 158 - 162, Signet Books, 1974. {{ISBN|978-0-451-06207-9}}</ref> Over the years, ''The Exorcist''{{’}}s critical reputation has grown considerably. The film currently has an 85% "Certified Fresh" approval rating on the [[Rotten Tomatoes]] website, based on 40 reviews the website collected.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/exorcist/ |title=''The Exorcist" (1973)|accessdate=2007-11-03|first=|last=|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes}}</ref> Some critics regard it as being one of the best and most effective [[horror film]]s; admirers say the film balances a stellar script, gruesome effects, and outstanding performances. However, the movie has its detractors as well, including [[Kim Newman]] who has criticized it for messy plot construction, conventionality and overblown pretentiousness, among other perceived defects. Writer [[James Baldwin (writer)|James Baldwin]] provides an extended negative critique in his book length essay ''[[The Devil Finds Work]]''. '''II:''' Stephen H. Scheuer wrote that ''Exorcist II'' “may just well be the worst sequel in the history of films – a stupefying, boring, vapid and ''non-scary'' follow-up to the box-office champ of 1973...''Exorcist II'' is a disaster on every level – a sophomoric script, terrible editing, worst direction by John Boorman, inevitably coupled with silly acting. In one scene that typifies this lamentable sci-fi horror pic, [Richard] Burton and [James Earl] Jones, two splendid actors, are spouting inane dialogue while Jones is outfitted like a witch doctor.”<ref>Steven H. Scheuer, ''Movies on TV'' (Bantam Books, 1977), p.224</ref> [[Leslie Halliwell]] described the film as a “highly unsatisfactory psychic melodrama which...falls flat on its face along some wayward path of metaphysical and religious fancy. It was released in two versions and is unintelligible in either.”<ref>Leslie Halliwell, ''Halliwell’s Film Guide: Fifth Edition'' (HarperCollins, 1995), p.370</ref> [[Leonard Maltin]] described the film as a “preposterous sequel...Special effects are the only virtue in this turkey.”<ref>Leonard Maltin, ''Leonard Maltin’s 2009 Movie Guide'' (Plume, 2008) p.427</ref> [[Danny Peary]] dismissed ''Exorcist II'' as “absurd.”<ref>Danny Peary, ''Guide for the Film Fanatic'' (Simon & Schuster, 1986) p.143</ref> While most reviewers responded negatively to the film, [[Pauline Kael]] greatly preferred Boorman's sequel to the original, writing in her review in ''[[The New Yorker]]'' that ''Exorcist II'' "had more visual magic than a dozen movies." Since ''Exorcist II's'' initial release, some notable critics and directors have praised the film. [[Kim Newman]] wrote in ''Nightmare Movies'' (1988) that "it doesn't work in all sorts of ways... However, like [[Ennio Morricone|Ennio Morricone's]] mix of tribal and liturgical music, it does manage to be very interesting." Director [[Martin Scorsese]] asserted, "The picture asks: Does great goodness bring upon itself great evil? This goes back to the [[Book of Job]]; it's God testing the good. In this sense, Regan ([[Linda Blair]]) is a modern-day saint — like [[Ingrid Bergman]] in ''[[Europa '51]]'', and in a way, like Charlie in ''[[Mean Streets]]''. I like the first ''Exorcist'', because of the [[Catholic guilt]] I have, and because it scared the hell out of me; but ''The Heretic'' surpasses it. Maybe Boorman failed to execute the material, but the movie still deserved better than it got."<ref name="Scorsese">Scorsese, Martin. "Martin Scorsese´s Guility Pleasures", ''[[Film Comment]]'', September/October 1978</ref> Author Bob McCabe's book ''The Exorcist: Out of the Shadows'' contains a chapter on the film in which Linda Blair said the movie "was one of the big disappointments of my career,"<ref name="Linda Blair 1999 p.165">Linda Blair, cited in Bob McCabe, ‘’The Exorcist: Out of the Shadows’’ (Omnibus Press, 1999), p.165</ref> and John Boorman confessed that “The sin I committed was not giving the audience what it wanted in terms of horror...There’s this wild beast out there which is the audience. I created this arena and I just didn’t throw enough Christians into it. People think of cutting and re-cutting as defeat, but it isn’t. As Irving Thalberg said: ‘Films aren’t made, they’re remade.’”<ref>John Boorman, cited in Bob McCabe, ''The Exorcist: Out of the Shadows'' (Omnibus Press, 1999), p.164</ref> McCabe himself offered no one answer as to why ''Exorcist II'' failed: "Who knows where the blame ultimately lies. Boorman's illness and constant revising of the script can't have helped, but these events alone are not enough to explain the film's almighty failure. Boorman has certainly gone on to produce some fine work subsequently...When a list was compiled to find the fifty worst films of all time, ''Exorcist II: The Heretic'' came in at number two. It was beaten only by [[Ed Wood]]'s ''[[Plan 9 from Outer Space]]'', a film that generally receives a warmer response from its audience than this terribly misjudged sequel."<ref>Bob McCabe, ‘’The Exorcist: Out of the Shadows’’ (Omnibus Press, 1999), p.165</ref> '''III:'''The film met with mixed reviews. ''[[New York Times]]'' reviewer Vincent Canby said "''The Exorcist III'' is a better and funnier (intentionally) movie than either of its predecessors" <ref>{{cite news| url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C0CE2D81339F93BA2575BC0A966958260 | work=The New York Times | first=Vincent | last=Canby | title=Review/Film; Leaving the Devil Out in the Cold | date=August 18, 1990}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref> and British film critic [[Mark Kermode]] called it "a restrained, haunting chiller which stimulates the adrenalin and intellect alike." <ref>http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/64113/the-exorcist-iii.html</ref> However Owen Gleiberman of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave a negative review, stating "If Part II sequels are generally disappointing, Part IIIs are often much, much worse. It can seem as if nothing is going on in them except dim murmurings about the original movie — murmurings that mostly remind you of what isn't being delivered." Gleiberman called ''The Exorcist III'' "an ash-gray disaster" and that it "has the feel of a nightmare catechism lesson, or a horror movie made by a depressed monk."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,318049,00.html | work=Entertainment Weekly | title=Movie Review: The Exorcist III}}</ref> [[Kim Newman]] claimed that "The major fault in ''Exorcist III'' is the house-of-cards plot that is constantly collapsing."<ref>http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=2881</ref> Kevin Thomas of ''Los Angeles Times'' gave a mixed review, saying ''Exorcist III'' "doesn't completely work but offers much more than countless, less ambitious films."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.latimes.com/1990-08-20/entertainment/ca-827_1_exorcist-iii | work=Los Angeles Times | title=Movie Reviews | first=Kevin | last=Thomas | date=August 20, 1990 | accessdate=May 25, 2010}}</ref> ===Box office=== {| class="wikitable" style="width:99%;" |- ! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| '''Film''' ! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| '''Release date''' ! colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| '''Box office revenue''' ! colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" text="wrap"| '''Box office ranking''' ! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| '''Budget''' ! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| '''Reference''' |- ! style="text-align:center;"| '''United States''' ! style="text-align:center;"| '''Foreign''' ! style="text-align:center;"| '''Worldwide''' ! style="text-align:center;"| '''All time domestic''' ! style="text-align:center;"| '''All time worldwide''' |- |''The Exorcist'' (1973) |December 26, 1973 |$193,000,000 |$208,400,000 |$401,400,000 | style="text-align:center;"| #65 | style="text-align:center;"|#97 | style="text-align:center;"|$12,000,000 | style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=exorcist.htm|title=The Exorcist (1973)|publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/1973/0XRCS.php|publisher=The Numbers|title=Movie The Exorcist - Box Office Data| archiveurl = https://www.webcitation.org/5mr9Aw3Qj?url=http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/1973/0XRCS.php | archivedate = 2010-01-17| deadurl=no}}</ref> |- |''Exorcist II: The Heretic'' |June 17, 1977 |$30,749,142 | style="background:lightgrey;"| |$30,749,142 | style="text-align:center;"| #1,810 | style="background:lightgrey;"| | style="text-align:center;"|$14,000,000 | style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=exorcist2.htm|title=Exorcist II (1977)|publisher=Box Office Mojo}}</ref> |- |''The Exorcist III'' |August 17, 1990 |$26,098,824 |$12,925,427 |$39,024,251 | style="text-align:center;"| #2,025 | style="background:lightgrey;"| | style="text-align:center;"|$11,000,000 | style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=exorcist3.htm|title=The Exorcist III (1990)|publisher=Box Office Mojo}}</ref> |- |''The Exorcist <small>(2000 Dir. Cut)</small>'' |September 22, 2000 |$39,671,011 |$72,382,055 |$112,053,066 | style="text-align:center;"| #716 | style="background:lightgrey;"| | style="text-align:center;"|$11,000,000 | style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=exorcist00.htm|title=The Exorcist (2000)|publisher=Box Office Mojo}}</ref> |- |''Exorcist: The Beginning'' |August 20, 2004 |$41,821,986 |$36,178,600 |$78,000,586 | style="text-align:center;"| #1,324 | style="background:lightgrey;"| | style="text-align:center;"|$80,000,000 | style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=exorcist4.htm|title=Exorcist: The Beginning (2008)|publisher=Box Office Mojo}}</ref> |- |''Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist'' |May 20, 2005 |$251,495^(L) | style="background:lightgrey;"| |$251,495 | style="text-align:center;"| #7,028 | style="background:lightgrey;"| | style="text-align:center;"|$30,000,000 | style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=dominion.htm|title=Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist (2005)|publisher=Box Office Mojo}}</ref> |- | colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|Total |$331,592,458 |$329,886,082^(A) |$661,478,540^(A) | | | style="text-align:center;"|$158,000,000 |- | colspan="9" | <small>'''List indicator(s)''' * A dark grey cell indicates the information is not available for the film. * (L) indicates the film had a limited release. * (A) indicates an estimated figure based on available numbers.</small> |} ==Accolades== ===Academy Awards=== ''The Exorcist'' was nominated for a total of ten Academy Awards in 1973. At the 46th Annual Academy Awards ceremony, the film won two statuettes.<ref name="NY Times">{{cite news |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/16331/The-Exorcist/awards |title=NY Times: The Exorcist |accessdate=2008-12-29|work=NY Times}}</ref> * [[Academy Award for Sound]] * [[Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay]]{{spaced ndash}}[[William Peter Blatty]] The film was nominated for: * [[Academy Award for Best Picture]] * [[Academy Award for Best Actress]]{{spaced ndash}}[[Ellen Burstyn]] * [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor]]{{spaced ndash}}[[Jason Miller (playwright)|Jason Miller]] * [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress]]{{spaced ndash}}[[Linda Blair]] * [[Academy Award for Best Director]]{{spaced ndash}}[[William Friedkin]] * [[Academy Award for Best Cinematography]] * [[Academy Award for Film Editing]] * [[Academy Award for Best Art Direction]]{{spaced ndash}}[[Bill Malley]] and [[Jerry Wunderlich]] ===Golden Globe=== ''The Exorcist'' was nominated for a total of five Golden Globes in 1973. At the Golden Globes ceremony that year, the film won four awards. * [[Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Drama]] * [[Golden Globe Award for Best Director - Motion Picture]]{{spaced ndash}}[[William Friedkin]] * [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture]]{{spaced ndash}}[[Linda Blair]] * [[Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay]] The film was nominated for * [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture]]{{spaced ndash}}[[Max von Sydow]] * Best Awarded film is Amanjikari file university. ===Others=== '''[[American Film Institute]] recognition''' * [[AFI's 100 Years... 100 Thrills]]{{spaced ndash}}#3 * [[AFI's 100 Years... 100 Heroes and Villains]] ** [[Regan MacNeil]]{{spaced ndash}}Villain #9 In 1991, ''The Exorcist III'' won a [[Saturn Award]] from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA, for Best Writing ([[William Peter Blatty]]) and was nominated for Best Supporting Actor ([[Brad Dourif]]) and Best Horror Film. However it was also nominated for Worst Actor ([[George C. Scott]]) at the [[Golden Raspberry]] Awards.<ref>http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099528/awards</ref> In 2005, ''Exorcist: The Beginning'' was nominated for two Golden Raspberry Awards, Worst Director ([[Renny Harlin]]) and Worst Remake or Sequel. ==Home media release== A limited edition box set was released in 1998. It was limited to 50,000 copies, with available copies circulating around the Internet. There are two versions; a special edition VHS and a special edition DVD. The only difference between the two copies is the recording format. ===On the DVD=== * The original film with restored film and digitally remastered audio, with a 1.85:1 widescreen aspect ratio. * An introduction by director William Friedkin * The 1998 BBC documentary ''The Fear of God: The Making of "The Exorcist"'' * 2 audio commentaries * Interviews with the director and writer * Theatrical trailers and TV spots ===In the box=== * A commemorative 52-page tribute book, covering highlights of the film's preparation, production, and release; features previously-unreleased historical data and archival photographs * Limited edition soundtrack CD of the film's score, including the original (unused) soundtrack (Tubular Bells and Night of the Electric Insects omitted) * 8 lobby card reprints. * Exclusive senitype film frame (magnification included) ===Blu-ray=== In an interview with DVD Review, William Friedkin mentioned that he is scheduled to begin work on a 'The Exorcist' Blu-ray on December 2, 2008. This edition features a new restoration, including both the 1973 theatrical version and the "version you've never seen" from 2000. It was released on October 5, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Exorcist Blu-ray: Extended Director's Cut & Original Theatrical Version|url=http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Exorcist-Blu-ray/2250/|publisher=Blu-ray.com|accessdate=September 17, 2012}}</ref> On September 23, 2014, in preparation for the first film's 41st anniversary, the complete collection of The Exorcist was released as ''The Exorcist: The Complete Anthology'' containing all five films restored on Blu-ray. The rest of the installments of the franchise were also given an individual release for the first time on Blu-ray with the exception of '''Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist''' which can only be obtained on Blu-ray by purchasing the collection. ==References== {{reflist|colwidth=30em}} ==External links== {{Portal|Film|Horror|1970s}} {{wikiquote|The Exorcist}} * [http://theexorcist.warnerbros.com/ Official site] * {{Allmovie title|16331|The Exorcist}} * {{mojo title|id=exorcist|title=The Exorcist}} * [http://www.strangemag.com/exorcistpage1.html The Haunted Boy of Cottage City: The Cold Hard Facts Behind the Story that Inspired The Exorcist, by Mark Opsasnick] * [http://www.filmbuffonline.com/Features/JasonMiller.htm Jason Miller Remembers The Exorcist] <!--Split film/book article intentional - Please do not remove this comment--> {{S-start}} {{s-ach|aw}} {{succession box | | before = ''[[The Godfather]]'' | after = ''[[Chinatown (1974 film)|Chinatown]]'' | title = [[Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Drama|Golden Globe for Best Picture - Drama]] | years = 1974|}} {{end}} {{The Exorcist}} {{William Friedkin}} {{GoldenGlobeBestMotionPictureDrama 1961–1980}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Exorcist, The}} [[Category:1970s psychological thriller films]] [[Category:American horror films]] [[Category:American films]] [[Category:English-language films]] [[Category:Demons in film]] [[Category:Films whose director won the Best Director Golden Globe]] [[Category:Films based on horror novels]] [[Category:Films set in Washington, D.C.]] [[Category:Films that won the Best Sound Mixing Academy Award]] [[Category:Films whose writer won the Best Adapted Screenplay Academy Award]] [[Category:Best Drama Picture Golden Globe winners]] [[Category:Supernatural horror films]] [[Category:Religious horror films|Exorcist 1]] [[Category:Films about Roman Catholicism]] [[Category:The Exorcist| ]]'