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IMDbPro

The Exorcist

  • 19731973
  • RR
  • 2h 2m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
413K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
583
101
The Exorcist (1973)
When a 12-year-old girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two priests to save her.
Play trailer1:43
3 Videos
99+ Photos
Horror
When a teenage girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two priests to save her daughter.When a teenage girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two priests to save her daughter.When a teenage girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two priests to save her daughter.
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
413K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
583
101
    • William Friedkin
    • William Peter Blatty(written for the screen by)
  • Stars
    • Ellen Burstyn
    • Max von Sydow
    • Linda Blair
    • William Friedkin
    • William Peter Blatty(written for the screen by)
  • Stars
    • Ellen Burstyn
    • Max von Sydow
    • Linda Blair
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1.4KUser reviews
    • 239Critic reviews
    • 81Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #226
    • Won 2 Oscars

    Videos3

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:43
    Watch Official Trailer
    The Exorcist: 40th Anniversary Blu-ray Edition
    Trailer 1:41
    Watch The Exorcist: 40th Anniversary Blu-ray Edition
    The Exorcist
    Trailer 0:31
    Watch The Exorcist

    Photos201

    Max von Sydow in The Exorcist (1973)
    Max von Sydow in The Exorcist (1973)
    Max von Sydow in The Exorcist (1973)
    Max von Sydow and Jason Miller in The Exorcist (1973)
    Linda Blair, Max von Sydow, and Jason Miller in The Exorcist (1973)
    Max von Sydow in The Exorcist (1973)
    Max von Sydow in The Exorcist (1973)
    Max von Sydow in The Exorcist (1973)
    Linda Blair and Max von Sydow in The Exorcist (1973)
    Max von Sydow in The Exorcist (1973)
    William Friedkin and Max von Sydow in The Exorcist (1973)
    Max von Sydow and Jason Miller in The Exorcist (1973)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ellen Burstyn
    Ellen Burstyn
    • Chris MacNeil
    Max von Sydow
    Max von Sydow
    • Father Merrin
    Linda Blair
    Linda Blair
    • Regan
    Lee J. Cobb
    Lee J. Cobb
    • Lt. Kinderman
    Kitty Winn
    Kitty Winn
    • Sharon
    Jack MacGowran
    Jack MacGowran
    • Burke Dennings
    Jason Miller
    Jason Miller
    • Father Karras
    William O'Malley
    William O'Malley
    • Father Dyer
    • (as Reverend William O'Malley S.J.)
    Barton Heyman
    Barton Heyman
    • Dr. Klein
    Peter Masterson
    Peter Masterson
    • Dr. Barringer - Clinic Director
    • (as Pete Masterson)
    Rudolf Schündler
    Rudolf Schündler
    • Karl
    Gina Petrushka
    • Willi
    Robert Symonds
    Robert Symonds
    • Dr. Taney
    Arthur Storch
    Arthur Storch
    • Psychiatrist
    Thomas Bermingham
    • Tom - President of University
    • (as Reverend Thomas Bermingham S.J.)
    Vasiliki Maliaros
    Vasiliki Maliaros
    • Karras' Mother
    Titos Vandis
    Titos Vandis
    • Karras' Uncle
    John Mahon
    John Mahon
    • Language Lab Director
      • William Friedkin
      • William Peter Blatty(written for the screen by) (novel)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The scene where Regan projectile vomits at Father Karras only required one take. The vomit was intended to hit Jason Miller in the chest, but the plastic tubing misfired, hitting him in the face. His reaction of shock and disgust while wiping away the vomit is genuine, and Miller admitted in an interview that he was very angered by this mistake.
    • Goofs
      William Peter Blatty closely modeled the exorcism scene on the actual rite of exorcism in the Church's "Rituale Romanum". Father Merrin can be seen opening a copy of the Rituale in the scene in question. However, the priests depart from the Rituale in two important details. First, there should have been four people (apart from Regan) in the room during the exorcism: the exorcist himself; an assistant priest to take over in case the exorcist died midway through; a member of the victim's family of the same sex as the victim, to help restrain her; and a doctor, to (among other things) administer any medication that was needed. Due to the "2 Priest rule", Fr Merrin should have delayed the second round of the exorcism and phoned the bishop to get a replacement for Fr Karras, instead of trying to tackle it on his own.
    • Quotes

      Demon: What an excellent day for an exorcism.

      Father Karras: You would like that?

      Demon: Intensely.

      Father Karras: But wouldn't that drive you out of Regan?

      Demon: It would bring us together.

      Father Karras: You and Regan?

      Demon: You and us.

    • Crazy credits
      There are no opening credits after the title. Although it is commonplace now, it was unheard of in 1973.
    • Alternate versions
      The network TV version originally broadcast on CBS in the '80s was edited by William Friedkin, who also shot a replacement insert of the Virgin Mary statue crying blood, replacing the shot of a more obscenely desecrated statue. Friedkin himself spoke the Demon's new, censored lines; he was unwilling to work with Mercedes McCambridge again. The lines "Your mother sucks cocks in hell, Karras" and "Shove it up your ass you faggot" were re-dubbed by Friedkin as "Your mother still rots in hell" and "Shut your face, you faggot." Several of Ellen Burstyn's lines were also re-dubbed by the actress, replacing "Jesus Christ" with "Judas Priest" and omitting the f-word. Most of the profanity spoken by Regan is also cut out, as are the shots of her being abused with a crucifix and forcing Chris' face into her crotch. There is also a slightly alternate shot of Regan's face morphed into the white face of the demon just after Merrin arrives at the MacNeil house (the theatrical versions only show the beginning of the transformation). This network TV version is rarely if ever used for TV and cable showings today.
    • Connections
      Edited into Bride of Monster Mania (2000)
    • Soundtracks
      Kanon For Orchestra and Tape
      Written by Krzysztof Penderecki

      Courtesy of Angel Records

    User reviews1.4K

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Unmatched brilliance
    There is a reason for the hysteria and mystique surrounding THE EXORCIST. And it's called genius.

    Never have I seen a film matched in shock, terror, writing, or performances. This isn't a horror movie. The film itself is both a moving and terrifying drama that takes a realistic look at what would actually happen if a young girl were possessed in modern America. William Peter Blatty's script is amazing, bringing depth to the characters, and presenting the mystery of faith that they all deal with. Is Regan possessed? Is she insane? And most importantly, Is there a God? In the course of two hours, we see a sweet and innocent young girl become a cross masturbating, head spinning, murderous, creature. We see a successful actress overcome skepticism to save her daughter, and we see a brilliant psychiatrist struggle with his devotion to God as a priest.

    Friedkin's direction is marvelous, with wonderful uses of light, dark, and color throughout the film. Jason Miller (as Damien Karras) is beautifully subtle in his first film acting role. Max Von Sydow and Lee J. Cobb provide engaging supporting performances as the experienced priest who senses his impending doom, and a detective who senses something sinister is at work. Ellen Burstyn gives a brutally honest performance as a grief stricken woman trying to save her daughter. And most of all, a 12-year-old Linda Blair gives one of the most terrifying, convincing, and beautiful performances ever shown on film. Her range of emotion and connection to Regan are astonishing. She deserved that Oscar!

    THE EXORCIST presents to us the mystery of faith in it's most raw form--the battle of good and evil. It is an incomparable masterpiece of film, done without the aid of computers and special effects. It relies on story and performances to give us a marvelous and terrifying piece of work. In the end, it makes us ask ourselves what we believe, and keeps us wondering and shuddering at exactally what might be out there.
    helpful•294
    59
    • pheonix19
    • Mar 28, 2000

    FAQ26

    • Why is this movie called "the scariest" or "one of the scariest movies" of all time?
    • Who desecrated the statue in the church?
    • Why did Ellen Burstyn (as Chris MacNeil) say "Judas Priest" at a certain point?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 26, 1973 (United States)
      • United States
      • Official Facebook
      • Warner Brothers
      • English
      • Latin
      • Greek
      • French
      • German
      • Arabic
      • Kurdish
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Mosul, Iraq
    • Production companies
      • Warner Bros.
      • Hoya Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 2 hours 2 minutes
      • Color
      • Mono(original release)

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