The Exorcist

Directed By: William Friedkin
Written By: William Peter Blatty

Cast:
Jason Miller - Father Damian Karras
Ellen Burstyn - Chris McNeil
Max Von Sydow - Father Lankester Merrin
Lee J. Cobb - Det. Lt. William F. Kinderman
Linda Blair - Regan Teresa McNeil


Based on a true story that happened in Georgetown in 1949, the story centers on the apparent possession of a girl, by demonic forces. When doctors can’t find a reasonable explanation to her split personality disorder they are forced to recommend a priest.
On a parallel course to their story we have a priest, Father Damian who originally studied psychiatry and is going through a crisis of faith. When he commits his mother to a hospital because she is all alone and can’t take care of herself, she soon dies alone afterward. He soon blames himself for this misfortune.
When he sees the girl he has reason to believe that there is something going on that is more than psychological. He takes his case to the church authorities who recommend someone with experience - Farther Merrin, who has looked evil in the eye before - literally. But can Father Merrin deal with the devil himself? Or more importantly can Father Damien wrestle a demon on the outside while wrestling with “demons” inside himself.
There are some beautiful shots early on in this movie but this is quickly replaced by an overall pervasiveness of evil. Most of the rest of the film takes place in the _’s bedroom where some of the most horrific scenes in all of any movie occur.
What stands out most to me is the ending, which is shocking not only because it is unexpected but because it lasts with you for so long after you’ve seen it. Indeed the movie still resonates with audiences today because it goes and goes well into an idea where so few movies dare venture - that good and evil are external to human beings and two very real forces in the universe.
3 stars