The Exorcist

The Exorcist News
Credits: Far Out / Warner Bros
Genre
supernatural horror
Release Date
December 26th, 1973
Directed By
William Friedkin
Written By
William Peter Blatty
Produced By
William Peter Blatty
Starring
Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Jason Miller, Linda Blair, Lee J Cobb
Length
122 minutes
Budget
$12 million
Box Office
$441.3 million
Awards
Academy Award for 'Best Adapted Screenplay', Academy Award for 'Best Sound', Golden Globe Award for 'Best Motion Picture – Drama', Golden Globe Award for 'Best Director', Golden Globe Award for 'Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama', Golden Globe Award for 'Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture', Golden Globe Award for 'Best Screenplay'
Location
Georgetown, Washington DC, USA
Fiction
Yes
Summary
Actress Chris MacNeil becomes increasingly alarmed when her 12-year-old daughter, Regan, begins exhibiting disturbing physical and psychological behaviour that defies medical explanation. After exhausting every scientific option, Chris turns to the Catholic Church for help. Experienced priest Father Lankester Merrin joins Father Damien Karras to perform a dangerous exorcism in an attempt to free Regan from demonic possession. As the ritual intensifies, both priests are forced to confront their own faith while battling an ancient and powerful evil.
Fun Facts
The famous rotating-head effect was achieved using a sophisticated mechanical dummy rather than visual effects. ### Several cast and crew injuries and unrelated deaths during production fuelled long-standing rumours that the film was "cursed", although these stories have never been substantiated. ### 'The Exorcist' became the first horror film to be nominated for the Academy Award for 'Best Picture'.
Related Movies
'The Omen', 'Rosemary's Baby', 'The Conjuring', 'The Exorcist III', 'The Exorcism of Emily Rose'

‘The Exorcist’ is a 1973 supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin and adapted by William Peter Blatty from his bestselling 1971 novel of the same name.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential horror films ever made, it follows the demonic possession of a young girl and the desperate efforts of two Catholic priests to save her through an exorcism. Upon its release, the film generated widespread controversy and became a cultural phenomenon, earning critical acclaim for its performances, direction and groundbreaking special effects. ‘The Exorcist’ became the first horror film to receive an Academy Award nomination for ‘Best Picture’ and remains one of the defining works of the horror genre, spawning a long-running franchise.

The Exorcist News

More About The Exorcist

'The Exorcist' follows the demonic possession of a young girl and the efforts of two Catholic priests to save her through the ritual of exorcism. Is 'The Exorcist' based on a true story? => Loosely. William Peter Blatty based his novel on reports of a 1949 exorcism case, although the characters and events in the film are fictionalised. Why is 'The Exorcist' considered so influential? => 'The Exorcist' redefined horror cinema through its psychological realism, groundbreaking special effects and serious treatment of supernatural themes, influencing countless horror films that followed.
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