The Exorcist III (1990)

Director:

William Peter Blatty

Writers (WGA):

William Peter Blatty (novel)
William Peter Blatty (screenplay)

Release Date:

17 August 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Do you dare walk these steps again?

Plot:

A police lieutenant in Georgetown mourns the anniversary of a priest's death as a serial killer strikes.

Plot Keywords:

Killer | Serial Killer | Decapitation | Priest | Strait Jacket

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

George C. Scott	...	Kinderman
Ed Flanders	...	Father Dyer
Brad Dourif	...	The Gemini Killer
Jason Miller	...	Patient X
Nicol Williamson	...	Father Morning
Scott Wilson	...	Dr. Temple
Nancy Fish	...	Nurse Allerton
George DiCenzo	...	Stedman (as George Dicenzo)
Don Gordon	...	Ryan
Lee Richardson	...	University President
Grand L. Bush	...	Sergeant Atkins
Mary Jackson	...	Mrs. Clelia
Viveca Lindfors	...	Nurse X
Ken Lerner	...	Dr. Freedman
Tracy Thorne	...	Nurse Keating

Also Known As:

Exorcist 3 (Philippines: English title)
Exorcist III: Legion (USA) (working title)
The Exorcist 3 (USA) (alternative spelling)
The Exorcist III: Legion (USA) (trailer title)
William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist III (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Netherlands:16 | Brazil:16 | Australia:M | Canada:18A | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Ireland:18 | Norway:18 | Singapore:NC-16 | South Korea:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 (video re-rating) (2002) | UK:18 (original rating) | UK:18 (video rating) (1991) | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Georgetown University, Georgetown, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Company:

Morgan Creek Productions

Trivia:

In the initial stages of the film, William Peter Blatty didn't made this film as a direct sequel of The Exorcist (1973). Jason Miller was also not cast. In fact, scenes of Father Karras' death were shot using Brad Dourif. One scene in particular had George C. Scott examining Dourif' (Karras') body on an operating table after the priest's death. Jason Miller was cast because James G. Robinson decided that, after showing the film to test audiences, a member of the original cast of The Exorcist (1973) should appear in the film. When this decision was made, William Peter Blatty was forced to rewrote parts of the script, particularly those involving the Gemini Killer. The result is the schizophrenic conflict between the Gemini Killer and Father Karras (Dourif and Miller respectively) that exists in the film.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The buildings depicted as being Georgetown University Hospital in the film occupy a block near the school's main campus. They actually housed the hospital from 1898 to 1930. However, after that, the hospital moved to a much larger campus a few blocks northwest. At the time of filming, the old hospital complex housed a variety of non-medical activities, and its internal geography bore no relation to the interiors depicted in the film. The hospital room where Kinderman views the blood vials is located, judging from its view, where a student apartment was in real life. The corridor outside the room would have run through a wall into an adjoining classroom building. The interior decor of the hospital is based on Georgetown's student center, which represented the hospital in some location shots.

Quotes:

Father Dyer: (On the film 'It's a Wonderful Life') I've seen it 37 times.

Movie Connections:

References It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

A Brainy Horror Movie... not for everyone

Most people go to horror movies for the emotional thrill, the gore and/or the adrenaline high of having things pop out and yell "boo!" Make no mistake: you won't find much of that here. So if you're looking for a movie that will make you spill your popcorn, move on.

But if you're looking for a true psychological thriller (psychological = appealing to the intellect, not the viscera), this will be one hell of a treat for you. The dialogue is fantastic. The acting is superb (Brad Dourif & George C. Scott on the same screen. What could be better?). The philosophy is provocative. And the mood is as thick as it gets. Much of the movie is composed of a series of dialogues between two people in a dark room. If you liked the second half of APOCALYPSE NOW, you will enjoy this immensely.

I rank this movie as one of my all time (English) faves with the likes of AMADEUS, 2001, Alfred Hitchcock's ROPE, PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, and CITIZEN KANE. I'm serious; it's that good. Unfortunately, it was marketed to the wrong audience, and that's why it received such low ratings. Let me repeat: this is not a spooky movie. It's actually a very intellectual story with a lot of big words, literary overtones and powerful acting, and it's one of the few movies which I consider superior to the book (but of course Blatty directed this, so I'd expect no less).

But don't get me wrong; it's anything but dull. There is one scene that will scare the living crap out of you! It's a long scene done with one still camera, no music, no sound, hardly any action... but egads it's probably the most suspenseful/frightening thing I've ever seen in any movie. In the style of the classic thrillers, so much is left to the imagination of the viewer--and there is PLENTY of disturbing, shocking imagery to imagine. In one conversation you'll hear about a murder so vile that you'll never want to hear the word "catheter" again. And the beauty is that you never see a thing. If this subtle style appeals to you, then you certainly won't be disappointed.

10/10. And I don't give 10s very often.