The most overlooked effect in this movie is the fact that Max Von Sydow, who played Father Marrin, was only 44 when he made this movie. His elderly appearance is due entirely to the artistry of the makeup artists.
In the book the demon and Father Merin had battled before in a weeks long exorcism in Africa that almost killed him but the demon escaped. it then entered Reagan because of the Ouija board, that's really the only reason given. the stuff that happened in Iraq was just a premonition to Merin that he would be battling the demon again. Also the kiss at the end is because even though, on a conscious level Reagan didn't remember anything on some level she knew a priest had saved her life and she was basically just saying thankyou.
Merrin released Pazuzu in Iraq when he broke the relic. True,he exorcised pazuzu from an African boy 10 years or 20 yrs earlier. Pazuzu got revenge and entered Reagan.
@@globextradingsystemsllc1740 He didn’t break the relic. He found it at the site and it was encased in dried mud. He cracked the mud away from the amulet. But I suppose it foretold his battle with the demon again upon discovery of this relic.
@@globextradingsystemsllc1740 He didn't release the demon, Regan opened the portal with the ouija board. Trying to contact spirits itself opens you up to their influence.
Bob: Did you remember (from the book) how the demon also was relentless in its attack on the sexuality of Father Karras? That was completely left out of the movie.
Almost 50 years after being released, "The Exorcist" to this day still remains the measuring stick to which all other horror films are compared. That is legendary.
had this movie long time as my number 1 ultimo - but lately i actually think "the Thing" is actually the best. Nevertheless both movies are legendaries from a time a many legendary movies
@@danielp8433 I understand your reasoning. I love both films for different reasons. The Thing works on the complete fear and paranoia of the unknown in a very claustrophobic environment. The Exorcist works on our ethical/moral uncertainties and thus fears between the good and evil in life. Two astonishingly realised films that I think are both brilliantly executed. I couldn't rate one above the other, albeit The Exorcist (film/book) is so impactful to me on a visceral level that it will remain my ultimate film
It's a stunningly well made movie. "Rosemary's Baby" is not exactly shabby, though it appears notably more dated. "The Omen" (1976) is excellent as well. I think the quality of The Exorcist enabled The Omen to attract top stars like Gregory Peck.
F off! the "outdated" effects in THIS flick are AWSOME! I'll take them over those stupid computer simulations, like you see in every other movie made nowadays, any time.
I was 14 when this came out. It was a traumatizing experience to sit in that dark theater, loud sound system, huge screen, no talking, etc. Director William Friedkin did an amazing job.
LOL yeah you forgot to mention about the people passing out too when the ushers had to come in with those smelling salts just to bring people back no joke and people crying having nervous breakdowns all kind of wild s*** when that movie came out and it still holds up to this very day that's the trippy part about it wow
geez i cannot relate sadly i watched it now recently for the first time (im 13) and all i really did was laugh or say "literally me" my mom and cousin said id be terrified but like i wasn't and im just dissapointed cuz i havent been that scared by horror movies in a while ☹️
Max von Siddow (Father Merrin) is a storied actor. He was much younger than the character he portrays here. If you are a SKYRIM fan, he lends his voice to the character Esbern of the Blades. Mr von Siddow is no longer with us, though. Rest in Peace.
Max von Sydow also played the antagonist in the 1993 movie Needful Things which was obviously 20 years after The Exorcist. In The Exorcist he played the title character and actually the main protagonist. The actor that played Karras was I think the secondary protagonist, or was it the other way around. Anyway we are introduced to The Exorcist (Father Merrin) almost immediately at the beginning on the movie at the archeological site in Northern Iraq before we see or are introduced to any other character.
I think he really did his homework for this role. You ever noticed the moments where he bowed his head when he said the name of Jesus? That's an old custom that some priests follow to this day. Compare this with almost every other movie with a priest character. It's almost never this well researched and acted.
@John-il2fy Like you do. (That's Seinfeld for you.) So: "Frog is wrong." So you do NOT know everything. Je vois tout - Like: JVN 728 If you know all - what's that?
The actress who played the mother, Ellen Burstyn, got hurt doing a stunt when she hit the floor. They kept it in the movie, but she suffered back problems the rest of her life. That pain in her face is 100% real.
She didn’t Just hurt her back, it was at the hand of the Director, who she has scolded for pulling her back too hard. However, the Director ignored it and pulled her back even harder for more extreme reaction.
This was inspired by a true story about a boy in the late 1940s. The boy was from Georgetown (in northwest Washington D.C.). He was brought to his aunt's house in suburban St. Louis area to get treated / exorcised. Initially. he was possibly brought to St. Vincent's Asylum run by the Daughters of Charity in nearby Normandy, MO (I worked there many years later and this is what I heard, but could not confirm). He transferred to Alexian Brothers Hospital in south St. Louis city, but the exorcism was performed by priests from Saint Louis University Hospital (a Jesuit institution in mid-town St. Louis). The exorcism was reported to be successful. The boy grew up and eventually died in his 80s in 2020.
There was a good, long online investigative article that pretty much debunked all that nonsense. He was a disturbed kid who played a prank and it got out of hand.
@@tophers3756 You're probably referring to Mark Opsasnick's investigation. To be fair, what Scott Tedford posted is mostly correct--the boy was from MD and did go to the St. Louis area for treatment, which included exorcisms. What's debatable was whether he was actually possessed, or just a disturbed kid. The evidence suggests the latter. As an adult, the guy himself say that he was just a bad kid. Also, although he worked for NASA and may have had a successful career, from what I've read he wasn't terribly successful in his relationships. When he died, he had long been estranged from his three children and they did not attend his funeral. I don't know anything about their mother, but I know that they had been apart for quite some time.
@@tophers3756 There really was not enough information given by the church to debunk it. It is easier to claim he was disturbed but as we know there are exorcists who operate within the Catholic church and they require certain evidence before even considering an Exorcism. Those people are also required to see more than one psychologist as well as medical doctors to determine it is not mental or has a logical physical cause. Other determinations are the ability to speak an unknown language to the sufferer and to be able to "know" things that a normal person could not know etc.... The Catholic church has always been strict in determining if someone needs an exorcism.
It actually took place in 1949 William Peter blatty read about it in the paper and that's what inspired him to write this movie but from what I understand the head turning part didn't really happen to the boy in real life they just added that in
Really good reactions, this is nearly 50 years old and still one of the best horror movies of all time. Some scenes will never be repeated in today’s world.
The only horror film that left me genuinely freaked, especially when I lived alone. They captured something in this that no amount of gore, zombies, jump scares or blue filters could ever achieve. BTW great work, guys. Enjoyed both your reactions and the constructive review afterwards.
The book also freaked me out. I was reading it at home alone I started to hear the house moving. The movie was the only one I saw that made people flee the theater in terror. Literally.
I’m impressed with this reaction. I normally don’t subscribe to Reaction Channels where the hosts are QUITE so young (let’s be honest...neither one of you looks 18) but I really like your mature thoughtfulness, your insights, and the proper respect you paid to this classic. It’s too easy for Gen Z Reactors to be completely over the top and obnoxious (hell, even older Reactors can be friggin’ obnoxious) but you 2 didn’t do that. SUBSCRIBED!
Legit, no other horror film is as well written, acted, filmed, or scored. The tension, dread, and horror are top notch. Some may do certain things better but as a whole it’s unbeatable.
@@firebird7479 When I saw it, it scared the hell outta me When my older brother saw it, he could barely contain his laughter. Movies like "SAW" and "THE PURGE" and "HALLOWEEN 2018" are what make me laugh. I think horror's subjective, like comedy.
As a Gen Xer I love watching Gen Z watching this for the first time. No CGI. Brutal practical effects , no cheap jumps scares, slow deliberate pacing and shocks that are not even seen today in horror. A masterpiece.
--- they obviously didn't take it seriously on this viewing. I don't think kids making jokes every 10 seconds, can take it seriously and appreciate it.
@@2SanJunipero you are so wrong. I’ve watched hundreds of reactors watch countless films. They are very thoughtful and did well on a first viewing with as little knowledge going in as they had. I’ve watched Exorcist too many times to count. Very happy with their treatment of this.
@@paulklenknyc Instead of WATCHING how they reacted, listen to what they say after the movie. People react in real time in various ways. They took it serious, but watching the movie is a personal thing, some people talk a lot, some don't.
@@2SanJunipero honestly seems like a Gen z thing. They are ultra critical of everything and think they know better, even when they are out of depth and things are going over their head. These dudes were pretty mild that way compared to so many others.
@@2SanJunipero Its really impossible to truly immerse yourself in a movie while given commentary. Your missing parts of the dialogue and subtle plot elements.
The Demon's name was Pazuzu and we know this because Father Merrin (The Exorcist) was looking at the statue of Pazuzu (at the beginning of the movie in the scenes that were shot in Northern Iraq) and is a real demon and the statue was probably real also. The relic Father Merrin found at the acheological dig was a representation of Pazuzu. The thing that the inspector found at the foot of the stairs facing M street and 36th street in Georgetown (a small suburb of Washington DC) was one of Reagan's clay figures that she made before Pazuzu started the process of possessing her. Reagan became possessed because she played with the Spirit Board or Ouija Board in an area where one or more demons were located at that time and playing with a Ouija Board where demonic, unclean spirits are present or close is openning the door and giving them permission. Reagan's resistence and defences were weak probably do to the family situation with her parents seperation. Reagan was vulnerable which made her more easily a target for Pazuzu to possess her and almost kill her. I hope this helps clear some things up in the movie that didn't make sense to you. I enjoyed your reaction Cam&Zay.
I was always pissed that the director never once mentioned that the demon was named Pazuzu. If you didn't read the book you wouldn't know that. Otherwise it's still one of the greatest movies ever made.
@@vickyfountain5094 Good question, unlike God (Yahweh), demons are NOT omnipresent (God is) because they were angels created by God, the fallen angels that God kicked out of heaven after they joined Lucifer (Satan) in a revolt against God. Anyway it is my personal belief that because of the corruption in Washington DC that there is an incredible amount of demonic activity in and around that city. I can't definitively say how Pazuzu got from Iraq to Washington DC maybe some one else can but they do have the ability to travel according to the Bible.
The Mesopotamian history is fascinating as hell as well. Good details in this film. Although Pazuzu was actually not quite always evil as depicted here.
I just read the book for the first time after loving the film since I first saw it as a kid in the 80’s. The author William Blatty also wrote the screenplay and it’s basically the book just lifted to the screen. Most scenes follow the book word for word. One result of that is some things that are explained in detail in the book are left out of the movie for time. The book spends a ton of time explaining why they’re so unsure about the possession. For instance the book tells you that there was a book in the house that mentions exorcism and they were afraid that she had read it and convinced herself she was possessed. That’s why the mom reacts so strongly to finding the crucifix in Regan’s room. She thinks someone put it there enforcing Regan’s delusion that she’s possessed. But you don’t get that from the film. Also the book explains that she often speaks in Burke Denning’s voice after he’s killed. That’s why she says “Do you know what she did? Your cunting daughter” That’s his voice. And her head then turns around in order to mimic what she did to Burke when she killed him. I never realized that until I read the book. I’d recommend reading it to anyone who is a fan of the movie. It’s a great supplement to the film. The scene where the demon rapes her with the crucifix is more disturbing in the book if you can even imagine.
*The demon's motivation for possessing Regan is twofold: Battling Father Merrin again, and destroying Father Karras' faith. Another reason was the demon enjoying the physical sensations, mostly sexual, only possible in a body. For those wondering, the demon didn't kill the older priest. He died of a heart attack.*
Oh man, both of your facial expressions are priceless! Understand this is in no way an insulting or derogatory comment, guys...I just so appreciate checking out younger generations (I was born in 1971, holy crap lofl) reactions to the same films that smacked me upside the head when I saw them way back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Luv to see more horror reactions, plz
did you notice how Regan's right hand was in the air the exact same way as the demon statue at the beginning when she was being interviewed by the hypnotist? the demon also pretended the tap water burned to make the priest think Regan was faking. very cunning! great reaction! 1 vote here for "the omen" and " the shining" , both super classic movies that everyone must see if they haven't yet 👻🎃👊
When she interrupts the party and says "you're gonna die up there", it's directed at the guest they focus on briefly. He is an astronaut (noted in the book). I was 10 or so when I first saw this on VHS. I've seen it dozens of times and always find something new to appreciate each time.
The idea of Jackie Gleason and Lucille Ball as Heathcliff and Catherine was genius. To make such an idiotic statement, after what everyone had just been through, helped release so much of the tension that it was almost therapeutic. Great reaction, Guys!!!!
Unfortunately these 2 young guys probably have no idea who Jackie Gleason and Lucille Ball even are so that point would have been lost on them as it would have been with most people their age.
@@hak4890 OMG!!! You're right!!!! I didn't know that. That turns it into an inside joke and makes it even more hilarious. I tip my hat to William Peter Blatty ... what a writer!!!!!!!!!
The thing that scares me the most about this movie was Burke Dennings' death. All the layers of what and why and how. The detective parsing out his murder is basically what proves Regan is possessed.
Considering that this film is a Half Century old, I think the effects and makeup were astounding. I saw it in 1973 when I was 14. ..... And let me tell you, that for the time, it was probably the most freakishly hellish film ever produced. Really enjoyed your reactions to this! I subscribed!
This is the first of its kind in terms of a movie dealing with possession--that story to my awareness had not been told before. The director really uses the sound design and mixing to its greatest extent to basically assault the viewer. There are stories of the actress who voiced possessed Reagan being tied to a chair, fed raw eggs and milk, and other extremes to get the most out of her voice. A lot of bad things happened on the set of this film, including a fire and I think one or two people dying and getting injured, including the actress who plays the mom (I think she wrenched her back when being thrown to the floor in the, um, crucifix scene. This is one year shy of being 50 years old and its ability to affect audiences to this day is a testament.
Notation, fellas, extra "cut-scenes" during the credits wasn't really a thing back in the 70s. That's more of a modern filmmakers practices, especially with those MCU films. They did start doing it in the 80s with films like The Thing, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off", etc., but such things were few and far between. When a movie ended in the 80s and prior, they just ended, lol.
I am 63, saw this in 1974, and it is a BRILLIANT Film. I am SO happy both of you make the intelligent comments you did. It's good to know there are two younger people that saw exactly HOW great it is, the underlying meaning, and the developments of the characters. Great Job.
Everything was calculated by the demon to draw Merin back to it for a final confrontation: inhabiting a child of a famous actress; knowing Karras had to meet the criteria to have an exorcism approved by speaking different languages and acting like the tap water hurt it; allowing the words "help me" surface on her abdomen; preying on Karras' guilt about his mother through dreams and personal interaction. All of this was to prompt the church to draw Merin into the fray. Ultimately, it was his ailing heart that sapped his strength and ultimately, his life, which first left the demon dumbfounded and then giddy. Remember, the senior priests discussed the fact Merin had done an exorcism in Africa that lasted MONTHS and "damned near killed him." And the silhouette of the demon statute he saw in Iraq next to the silhouette of the girl tells the viewers, it is the same demon he encountered in Africa. When Merin successfully exorcised the demon in Africa, the demon took it personally. This was a revenge match. The movie freaked people out because the film seemed to portray evil as being so much more powerful than good, and that it cost the lives of three people, including two of God's messengers, while the demon still escaped. And in the 1970s, movies did not really use violence involving children in films, so that alone, shocked many.
Subscribed Love how you two immersed yourself in the story and characters. This has the reputation of “the thinking man’s movie” it has so many levels and repeated viewings I had, I discovered more. Probably one of the best movies directed and acted and well crafted. It’s ironic that a mother who has “no religious beliefs” begs for help from a priest who has guilt and “lost” his faith. He saved himself by sacrificing himself to save a little girl’s life. A little girl he never really met. Nominated for 10 Oscars including best picture. Yes and Linda Blair won a golden globe for her iconic performance.
It’s not the relic the Detective finds at the bottom of the steps, it’s a model that Regan made. That’s how he knows Burke was in her bedroom. He asks her mother “ your daughter is the artist?” Her artist materials were also used in the church vandalism. Nor question no one ever asks, her mother takes the crucifix away, but Regan has it again later. So she must’ve crept downstairs while her mother was talking to the detective.
These are the things I love about this movie, the subtle details you miss at first viewing. Like in the very beginning, when Chris enters Regan's bedroom and hits her foot on something. Regan's furniture was already out of place, just like the things moving in the attic. Or when Regan asks her mother if she likes Burke and says "I heard differently...", you almost miss the fact "Captain Howdy" was already telling her things.
THANK YOU for including the scene on the stairs where they talk about "why this girl": one of the most important scenes in the movie that takes it beyond just a horror movie.
It's not all that important, as it wasn't even in the original version. The viewer was meant to figure that out just by paying attention. Personally, when I saw this version, that was one of the scenes I really disliked.
Interesting fact: Your reaction when you saw the Ouija board is _because_ of this movie. Like Cam's father, I too was born in 1961. We had a Ouija board when I was a kid because before this movie, it was considered just another fun board game. This movie is what gave it its reputation for evil.
I think in reality Ouija boards are dangerous. When I was a teen in the 80's I bought one and used it alone. I started experiencing strange things that I could not explain along with disturbing dreams and at times felt like something was touching me when no one was there. As you can imagine, this started to frighten me. I eventually did a prayer session and stopped all communication with the supposed spirit I had been talking to through the Ouija board and suddenly everything weird stopped and life was back to normal. I never used a Ouija board again. I have talked to a few people who have had strange or scary things happen when using a Ouija board. I think it's just not worth it to find out.
@@BlackavarWD ...I don't see my reply to you, so I am repeating it again...There is no evidence either way of a god, but does not mean a Ouija board is totally harmless. I am agnostic. I bought it and used it because I too thought it was just a toy and harmless. Nothing bad happened right away, it wasn't until after I was using it a few months that negative things started happening. I have also talked to a few people who had negative experiences with it. You can argue with me that what happened to me was in my mind, but that's the thing...Whether it's real or not, psychological experiences feel VERY real to the person experiencing it, and so it can be harmful, especially to children who can't handle that. There are children out there who will use a Quija board who may believe in god, may believe in spirits, or who believe in Santa Claus. Do you really think they are equipped to handle such a psychological mind test? No, they are not. There is a reason why parents do not let children see violent movies, horror movies, etc., because doesn't matter if you tell them it's not real, it will still affect them in a very real way.
@@BlackavarWD ...You still suggested it though because you said there is no God therefore nothing is happening, and it's just a toy. You were replying directly to what I experienced, suggesting it was not real.
This is definitely the best horror movie, IMO. Because it’s psychological horror, it stays frightening upon repeated viewings, even decades later. I hate jump scares in modern movies. Yes, I jump, but they’re easy and cheap (“like a two-bit hooker”), and I never jump on re-viewing.
My grandmother and great aunt went to see this in theaters in 1973 when they were 26 and 27. They only lasted between 30 and 45 minutes before they ran out terrified. My aunt actually cried and she’s never been an emotional woman in the very least. To this day, they’ve never seen the rest of it and ABSOLUTELY refuse to. Very cutting edge and terrifying for it’s time and, in some parts, still is.
I went into the original completely blind....because I was going thru Marine Corps boot camp when the film was released. Had NO idea the movie was even out there & it had received all the hype & notoriety. I saw it in the summer of 1974....and it traumatized & scared the $#!t out of me. The BEST movie-going experience of my life. Definitely got my money's worth. There was NO backing music, so it really seemed real. More intense.
Linda Blair as “Regan” won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar for this role. I was 10 yrs old and my mom took me to the movie theater. Trust me this movie had lines going around the corners people waiting too see it. She became a big teen star and was a regular in all the teen mags. As a teen I enjoyed some of her tv movies such as “Born Innocent “(1974), “Sweet Hostage”(1975) and “Sarah T Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic”(1975). I recall her movie choices were criticized due to her age. I loved them, I was a big fan.🔥
I've seen it MULTIPLE times! There's much to praise about this, but for me it comes down to the writing (the screenplay did win the BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY Oscar after all, RARE for a horror film)!
Imagine the trailer for this coming on TV when you’re 9 years old. It scared the life out of me. And living in DC , the house used for filming, although smaller in real life, and those creepy ass stairs are still there. The stairs are an official DC tourist attraction now and are known as “The Exorcist” stairs. I wasn’t able to watch it until 1979 when I was 15 , edited for TV and it still scared me to the point I slept with the lights on that night. Also that was not the relic the detective found at the bottom of the stairs, it was one of the clay figurines Regan had made that was in her room.
When I was 8 years old, our next door neighbors had a little boy who was 4 years old. He was very proud of his special gift of being able to vomit at will, and equally eager to show off that talent. That was in the 1960's, and to this day my mother thinks he was the cutest thing ever. He also threw rocks at me and my friends, and one of them drew blood.
A scary part that most people overlook is when the mom puts the crucifix down on the small table before speaking to Lt. Kinderman. She speaks to Kinderman, but then afterwards the crucifix is no longer there. This means Reagan must have come downstairs while they were talking to pick up the crucifix and take it back upstairs before the masterbating scene. Freaky.
A very small but fondamental detail which is not easy to catch out is in the scene where Regan's head turns 180° while screaming: "Do you know what she did, your c*** daughter?". Actually the voice coming out from Regan's mouth is Burke Dennings' voice, the film maker and friend of Chris McNeal, who was killed from Regan and pushed out of window on the stairs, with the broken neck and the head turned 180° (this description is said in the movie, but it is such a small detail that the public can't remember and associate to the scene. Moreover, in the movie the voice of Burke it is very few heard, so it's difficult to understand). So it's Burke, with the broken neck and the head turned 180°, saying Chris this about her daughter! I think that this detail makes the scene, already powerful, even stronger!
One thing the movie doesn't make as clear as the book is that Regan's mother is an atheist. They mention it in passing in the doctor's office when he asks her if she has any religious beliefs but it is easy to miss. Also Karras was the real target of the demon all along. The demon used Regan as a way to get to Karras. Remember the comment the demon made about an exorcism bringing him and Karras together.
About the denial - you’re coming from a perspective that exorcism movies & stories are more common & known about. But they are only known about because of this movie. At that time they were pretty much unheard of. Like he answers the mother “ you need a time machine because they’re just not done anymore “
You guys are great. 👍🏼 without a doubt... the best line of the entire reaction... of a 1973 film: "Is there a post credit scene?" 🤣🤣🤣🤣 priceless!!!! LOL KEEP BEING AWESOME, GUYS! 👍🏼
I saw this movie when it came out, I was 14. OMG, the scariest movie ever made. I can’t watch it again, forget that. The Omen is so suspenseful, it’s a must. 💀
I humbly recommend The Omen, Rosemary's Baby, The Others, The Sixth Sense, The Others, 28 Days Later, Poltergeist, Shaun of the Dead, Frankenstein (original), Dracula (original), Bram Stoker's Dracula, Young Frankenstein, Beetlejuice, Carrie, The Conjuring, The Lost Boys, Zodiac, and Carrie.
I've always been impressed with the flat top grill in the kitchen like many restaurants use. Some things never change. I was in 9th grade when this released and it got a lot of press because no other movie had displayed many of the situations presented here. Add to that the typical rumor and urban legend and there it is. If no one else tried to explain about the inspector: The events of this story result in some deaths. By having the police involved it grounds the story, uses a detective whom understands 'you can't believe in coincidence anymore' which brings him to the home of a woman who now starts to realize her daughter could be responsible. It adds weight to the main issue and also allows the story to breath in between episodes.
The actor who played the elderly priest exorcist is Max Von Sydow. He, believe it or not, was in his mid-40's when he did this movie. The make-up artist for the movie won an award for best prostetic make-up. It was ground breaking at the time in 1974. Only five years earlier, Max Von Sydow played Christ in another movie. He was in his late 30's at the time!
48:37 - For this scene, the director, William Friedkin, slapped the ish out of the actor, William O'Malley ("Father Dyer") right before the take to get the emotion that he wanted out of him for the scene. Those tears were real tears.
Wow! You guys didn't disappoint, and your intro was hilarious. Glad to know you guys are freaked out by horror. I will now be eagerly awaiting all your future horror reactions. Couple of things. Why Regan kissed the priest at the end: I think this was to give us a final quasi-jump scare as we see her impulsively moving toward him. It make us wonder if she's going to attack him. Then the kiss itself was to give some degree of confirmation that the demon had indeed been exorcised. At the very end when the detective is trying to get the priest to go to a movie with him he suggests "Wuthering Heights" starring Jackie Gleason and Lucille Ball. The latter 2 were of course famous comedic actors and the very idea of them acting in Charlotte Bronte's Wuthering Heights is ridiculous. They probably could have done a spoof of it though - "Withering Heights" or something of that sort.
I've seen about 9or10 of your reactions so far and this is by far the best one yet.I was starting to think that no reactors had the courage to leave in the most shocking scenes.Well done.
October suggestion: The Witch; The Others; but definitely The Shining, which is extra disturbing when you know that Shelly Duvall was pushed to the point of an emotional breakdown
The only reason I got through this was watching you two. You managed to make me laugh out loud during a movie that was called the scariest movie of all time back in the day and still is rated #1 scariest movie to this day on Rotton Tomatoes. Great job guys. 😄
Saw it in the theater when it came out. It shocked the American public, going way past anything we had seen before. Have vague memories of some people passing out, others getting sick in the theater. So many issues, some theaters had a nurse in the lobby during showings. Mainly for those that rushed out, into the lobby!! 😱
there are only two movies in history that had a psychological cultural effect that frightened the entire nation, The exorcist and Jaws. The exorcist, people are passing out in the theaters afraid to sleep at night and Jaws and tire country was afraid to go in the ocean. I was in my late teens at early twenties when these movies came out I seen it first hand.
01:07:15 " I think this movie is probably better understood by more artistic people" after lots of reactions/opinions about of this movies, this is it! That comment made me feel satisfied
In case someone else hasn't mentioned it, the inspector was needed to confirm that Burke was killed by the little girl. No one knew his head was backwards but the cops. It was the inspector that told the priest AND the mom what really happened. His parts were drawn out tho.
Ragans character was actually physically hurt doing the bed scene where she was flopping up and down really fast Damn movie traumatized me as a kid You got a new sub great reaction
The scene where Chris and Regan played with the Oujia board. Regan didn’t properly opened and closed the board. Therefore, Pazuzu ( aka Captain Howdy ) was able to take possession of Regan.
Now watch Repossessed. With Leslie Nielsen playing a priest who is called back to do an exorcism on a young woman who was possessed as a child. That woman? A grown up Linda Blair. It's a comedy film and I remember watching it a lot as a kid. Hilarious. I didn't see The Exorcist until I was about 17 tho. Scared the shit out of me. I've only seen it again via reaction channels.
You bring up a good point about how there was too much denial from the doctors and Father Karras. At the time when this movie was being made, faith/religion was in decline and science/medicine was becoming more prevalent, thus, all of the denials. It was right after the movie's release that faith/religion started being popular again. This wasn't a horror movie, but a film about faith and spiritualization that dwells within all of humanity, the good/evil that we all struggle with. Some of the priests within the movie were actual priests in real life, William O'Malley (Father Dyer) was a Jesuit priest, R.I.P.
The statue was of the demon of the SW wind, called Pazuzu, which is named in the novel but not in the film. The coin (I believe) was a St Christopher medal, given to folks from Catholic clergy to people, who travel. St Christopher is the patron saint of travelers. Merrin excavated the mini idol in Iraq, which depicted what the ancients thought Pazuzu/Captain Howdy looked like. When Pazuzu befriended Regan in her solitude in the basement/rec room, he influenced her "art sculptures", and she had a vision to recreate the mini idol Merrin had found in the rubble in Iraq. In the novel Kinderman finds some of Regan's sculptures' remnants at the bottom of the Hitchcock stairs, which means Burke likely was holding one of her art pieces, when she pushed him out of the window, thus it traveled to the site of the investigation. That type of clay was unique to her rec room art, so that's how Kinderman could pin the murder of Dennings on a pre-teen girl. Kinderman was there not because Regan was sick and he was concerned. He was there to solve the murder. Read the sequel: Legion: Exorcist 3 by William Peter Blatty for more about Kinderman's investigation and see the film: Exorcist III. Kinderman and Karl had a lot more back stories in the novel, but they had to edit for time.
I'd have to say the most disconcerting thing in your review was when you kept telling Regan's mother to get out, stay away from her, etc. and calling Regan "it". But that's just because of your age. Parents stand by and protect their kids no matter what.
I love watching the younger generation today watch this movie ,,it’s awesome,,I was born in 73,,it does an old man heart good to see this movie still rockin today 👍🏻
The directors cut - or "Version You've Never Seen" are great versions - but the original theatrical version released in the theaters in late 1973 should be seen also - the editing & pacing of the original cut is brilliant and it's the reason why this film is such an all-time classic ..
Convincing the church is a LOT harder than you’d ever imagine. One of my best friends is a Roman Catholic priest, they have enough trained Exorcists even today, but each has to be approved by The Vatican. Which by the time that happens, most of the subjects are dead. Sounds horrible, but it is the truth. It allows them to say no Exorcisms have occurred in however long.
Great review guys......I can't stress to you more that this was the 70's, a time that people spooked easier, people as a whole we're in my opinion more religious, and I myself snuck to a friends house who had the VHS movie and we watched (we we're 11 years old 😳).......SCARED THE S#it out of us for weeks 🤣
This was filmed on and around my college campus a few years before I went there. Those steps are pretty scary enough but knowing the movie they were terrifying. And walking up them late at night after drinking was something else. Thanks for these extended cut, is never seen it before.
During the crucifix scene Regan (Pazuzu Demon) spun her head and spoke in Burke’s voice…mocking Burke’s death and hinting to the viewer that Regan killed Burke by twisting his head and defenestrating him. This is why she says “Do you know what she did? You’re kunt1ng daughter?”
Love the reaction guys. I first saw this at age six and it instantly became my favorite movie. I had a list of questions for the demon lol. My dad and I used to watch scary movies and I always understood they were just movies so I never had nightmares. This is still my favorite movie. An interesting fact is that the demon in this movie, Pazuzu, is a demon that was actually worshipped in ancient Mesopotamian societies. In that sense Pazuzu is a real part of our human history. I suggest you wikipedia him. This movie is also a book if you are interested. It explains a lot more in the book but you can see how the movie was adapted from it. Its a damn good read. Its also based on a true story although its a boy who's possessed instead of a young girl. The voice of Pazuzu was actress Mercedes McCambridge. You should listen to an interview with her on how she achieved the voice.
The book actually details a lot more than the movie and to me this is just my honest opinion I think the book is more scarier than the movie because the way it details what Reagan really really went through and etc that book had me on edge seriously when I read it and that was decade ago LOL and I haven't forgot it
@@vivianalvarez5827lol😂...I was raised by good parents who married in their early twenties and are still married into their 70s. They had me and always rescued animals. I grew up with 4 dogs and several cats. They still rescue and fix all the neighborhood cats and their special needs pitbull just passed away a couple years ago from old age. Her name was Lilly. She was all white with a big black patch on her bum that looked like a lilly-pad. My dad is a 6'1, 200lb, two-tour vietnam veteran and survivor, never drank, rode a Harley Davidson, worked for Harley Davidson, had a pitbull named Harley and is a lifetime Veteran and Biker. Before he worked for Harley he worked security and he taught me how to correctly carry and beat the 💩 out of someone with a mag-lite. He gave me his machete as an heirloom. He taught me to help animals give birth to their young and how to give them a loving home. My mom is a tiny Irish woman who scares my father when she's angry. Otherwise she's an angel with strawberry-blonde hair and pale blue eyes who has never actually had a tan in her life lol. The most important thing he/they taught me is that the only monsters in this world are bad people, not fictional characters. In fact, most bad fictional characters are based on actual bad people. Js. He/they taught me reality. I am now 46, my husband and I have three rescue dogs and I will always be grateful to my father and mother for raising me in the real world. There's your answer and best of luck to you.
The answers to your questions are all addressed in the novel. The film makers had to make some considerations in how much detail and background to insert before the timing and dialog became laborious. They gave "Just Enough" for the average viewer to put two and two together for themselves.
The novel goes with your preferred route of making the early symptoms less dramatic, but the director of the movie decided to amp things up, so it does seem bizarre that some of the manifestations are brushed aside. The novel also makes it clear that Merrin has faced this particular demon before, and defeated it, and that the discovery of its totem in Iraq causes him to realise that a rematch is on the horizon; and that the target of the possession is Merrin himself. One of the subsequent movies (Exorcist III : Legion) is a genuine sequel (written and directed by the original author of The Exorcist) and is a very good movie in its own right; but the other movies are dumbed-down cash-grabs and should be avoided.
Movies almost always over dramatize events, its called "artistic license". We who are true cinephiles accept this as part of the movie watching experience. Also what works on the page doesn't always translate well to film.
@@blkluv100 Yes, I know what it's called, but these reactors seemed to find that it undermined the credibility of the story, so it's worth pointing out that this was a creative decision on the part of the director.
@@D-Cameron The comment was more so directed to the reactors, who don't seem that knowledgeable of novel to film adoptions. Something is almost always lost in translation because of the difference in media. Films have a shorter period of time to relay information so some things have to be combined, deleted or speeded up to fit the time restrictions.
I watched this when it came out from the balcony of a local theatre. Had to sidestep vomit when we walked down the stairs to leave. I've never heard more screams at a movie than I did that day.
I'm a old guy. Watched this in 73 at a Japanese theater while in the Navy. It was even scarier. No cuts at all. There are different versions of this. Some of the Japanese actually ran out screaming. When it was over and I was walking out, the woman had smeared make up on their face where they had been crying etc.
I love that you young guys take these old movies seriously and appreciate their value! This is one of my favorite movies horror or otherwise because of the story telling and acting!
I'd already watched the Exorcist this halloween (including sequels) but saw you guys were watching this, so I had to watch. Good on you both for watching it.
The most overlooked effect in this movie is the fact that Max Von Sydow, who played Father Marrin, was only 44 when he made this movie. His elderly appearance is due entirely to the artistry of the makeup artists.
I honestly think that's some of the best make up artistry ever
@@WoodysPickle Without question!
One of the best old-age performances in movie history. But nobody beats the Emperor in Return of the Jedi...dude was under 40 at the time.
Makeup artist was the late, legendary Dick Smith.
@@antknee6 an absolute master craftsman.
Its been 50 years and The Exorcist is still the most shocking horror film ever made. They defined what demon possession looks and feels like on film
In the book the demon and Father Merin had battled before in a weeks long exorcism in Africa that almost killed him but the demon escaped. it then entered Reagan because of the Ouija board, that's really the only reason given. the stuff that happened in Iraq was just a premonition to Merin that he would be battling the demon again. Also the kiss at the end is because even though, on a conscious level Reagan didn't remember anything on some level she knew a priest had saved her life and she was basically just saying thankyou.
See part 3 to see what happened to the priest.
Merrin released Pazuzu in Iraq when he broke the relic. True,he exorcised pazuzu from an African boy 10 years or 20 yrs earlier. Pazuzu got revenge and entered Reagan.
@@globextradingsystemsllc1740 He didn’t break the relic. He found it at the site and it was encased in dried mud. He cracked the mud away from the amulet. But I suppose it foretold his battle with the demon again upon discovery of this relic.
@@globextradingsystemsllc1740 He didn't release the demon, Regan opened the portal with the ouija board. Trying to contact spirits itself opens you up to their influence.
Bob: Did you remember (from the book) how the demon also was relentless in its attack on the sexuality of Father Karras? That was completely left out of the movie.
Almost 50 years after being released, "The Exorcist" to this day still remains the measuring stick to which all other horror films are compared.
That is legendary.
had this movie long time as my number 1 ultimo - but lately i actually think "the Thing" is actually the best. Nevertheless both movies are legendaries from a time a many legendary movies
@@danielp8433
I understand your reasoning. I love both films for different reasons. The Thing works on the complete fear and paranoia of the unknown in a very claustrophobic environment. The Exorcist works on our ethical/moral uncertainties and thus fears between the good and evil in life. Two astonishingly realised films that I think are both brilliantly executed. I couldn't rate one above the other, albeit The Exorcist (film/book) is so impactful to me on a visceral level that it will remain my ultimate film
It's a stunningly well made movie. "Rosemary's Baby" is not exactly shabby, though it appears notably more dated.
"The Omen" (1976) is excellent as well. I think the quality of The Exorcist enabled The Omen to attract top stars like Gregory Peck.
I AGREE! Scariest movie I've seen to date!
I have always preferred The Exorcist 3.
F off! the "outdated" effects in THIS flick are AWSOME! I'll take them over those stupid computer simulations, like you see in every other movie made nowadays, any time.
The actor who played Father Merrin is Max von Sydow. One of his last roles was the three eyed Raven in Game of Thrones.
I was 14 when this came out. It was a traumatizing experience to sit in that dark theater, loud sound system, huge screen, no talking, etc. Director William Friedkin did an amazing job.
me as well. I was 13 and saw it at 13. probably not a great idea.🤣🤣
I was 8! Slept with a bible and a hammer for 20 freaking years…
LOL yeah you forgot to mention about the people passing out too when
the ushers had to come in with those smelling salts just to bring people back no joke and people crying having nervous breakdowns all kind of wild s*** when that movie came out and it still holds up to this very day that's the trippy part about it wow
Extremely traumatizing as a young boy...I went running out after 15 mins.
geez i cannot relate sadly i watched it now recently for the first time (im 13) and all i really did was laugh or say "literally me" my mom and cousin said id be terrified but like i wasn't and im just dissapointed cuz i havent been that scared by horror movies in a while ☹️
Max von Siddow (Father Merrin) is a storied actor. He was much younger than the character he portrays here. If you are a SKYRIM fan, he lends his voice to the character Esbern of the Blades. Mr von Siddow is no longer with us, though. Rest in Peace.
Max von Sydow also played the antagonist in the 1993 movie Needful Things which was obviously 20 years after The Exorcist. In The Exorcist he played the title character and actually the main protagonist. The actor that played Karras was I think the secondary protagonist, or was it the other way around. Anyway we are introduced to The Exorcist (Father Merrin) almost immediately at the beginning on the movie at the archeological site in Northern Iraq before we see or are introduced to any other character.
I think he really did his homework for this role. You ever noticed the moments where he bowed his head when he said the name of Jesus? That's an old custom that some priests follow to this day. Compare this with almost every other movie with a priest character. It's almost never this well researched and acted.
The movie making, acting, cinematography, sound design, etc, everything is on point in this movie.
The sound effects were so creepy
@John-il2fy Like you know.
@John-il2fy Like you do. (That's Seinfeld for you.) So: "Frog is wrong." So you do NOT know everything. Je vois tout - Like: JVN 728 If you know all - what's that?
Mediocre at best? That’s hilarious😝
The perfect storm
The actress who played the mother, Ellen Burstyn, got hurt doing a stunt when she hit the floor. They kept it in the movie, but she suffered back problems the rest of her life. That pain in her face is 100% real.
She didn’t Just hurt her back, it was at the hand of the Director, who she has scolded for pulling her back too hard. However, the Director ignored it and pulled her back even harder for more extreme reaction.
I think she's still alive. And working.
Same happened to Shelley Winters on "The Poseidon adventure"
@@Theomite Yes, Ellen Burstyn is still alive, she is 90.
Linda Blair " Regan " was also injured from all the flopping on the bed.
This was inspired by a true story about a boy in the late 1940s. The boy was from Georgetown (in northwest Washington D.C.). He was brought to his aunt's house in suburban St. Louis area to get treated / exorcised. Initially. he was possibly brought to St. Vincent's Asylum run by the Daughters of Charity in nearby Normandy, MO (I worked there many years later and this is what I heard, but could not confirm). He transferred to Alexian Brothers Hospital in south St. Louis city, but the exorcism was performed by priests from Saint Louis University Hospital (a Jesuit institution in mid-town St. Louis). The exorcism was reported to be successful. The boy grew up and eventually died in his 80s in 2020.
Recently read somewhere that he ended up working for NASA in the 60s as an engineer. So a fairly successful career.
There was a good, long online investigative article that pretty much debunked all that nonsense. He was a disturbed kid who played a prank and it got out of hand.
@@tophers3756 You're probably referring to Mark Opsasnick's investigation. To be fair, what Scott Tedford posted is mostly correct--the boy was from MD and did go to the St. Louis area for treatment, which included exorcisms. What's debatable was whether he was actually possessed, or just a disturbed kid. The evidence suggests the latter. As an adult, the guy himself say that he was just a bad kid. Also, although he worked for NASA and may have had a successful career, from what I've read he wasn't terribly successful in his relationships. When he died, he had long been estranged from his three children and they did not attend his funeral. I don't know anything about their mother, but I know that they had been apart for quite some time.
@@tophers3756 There really was not enough information given by the church to debunk it. It is easier to claim he was disturbed but as we know there are exorcists who operate within the Catholic church and they require certain evidence before even considering an Exorcism. Those people are also required to see more than one psychologist as well as medical doctors to determine it is not mental or has a logical physical cause. Other determinations are the ability to speak an unknown language to the sufferer and to be able to "know" things that a normal person could not know etc.... The Catholic church has always been strict in determining if someone needs an exorcism.
It actually took place in 1949 William Peter blatty read about it in the paper and that's what inspired him to write this movie but from what I understand the head turning part didn't really happen to the boy in real life they just added that in
Really good reactions, this is nearly 50 years old and still one of the best horror movies of all time. Some scenes will never be repeated in today’s world.
The only horror film that left me genuinely freaked, especially when I lived alone. They captured something in this that no amount of gore, zombies, jump scares or blue filters could ever achieve. BTW great work, guys. Enjoyed both your reactions and the constructive review afterwards.
The book also freaked me out. I was reading it at home alone I started to hear the house moving. The movie was the only one I saw that made people flee the theater in terror. Literally.
If you've not seen the old early 60's B&W movie 'The Haunting' I recommend it for using atmosphere to tell a compelling ghost story.
@@scottodonnell7121I'm reading the book
@@scottodonnell7121
The book scared me so much more than the movie.
Couldn't sleep right for weeks after reading.
@@peterwilliamskelhorn6675
The book was amazing!!.
I’m impressed with this reaction. I normally don’t subscribe to Reaction Channels where the hosts are QUITE so young (let’s be honest...neither one of you looks 18) but I really like your mature thoughtfulness, your insights, and the proper respect you paid to this classic. It’s too easy for Gen Z Reactors to be completely over the top and obnoxious (hell, even older Reactors can be friggin’ obnoxious) but you 2 didn’t do that. SUBSCRIBED!
Me either I was browsing reaction channels came across a group of young boys called raggedy pack & they called this movie trash and not scary
*THIS* is horror, gentlemen 😈🎬🍿
Cannot put into words how much I love this film!!! Unparalleled if you ask me.
Legit, no other horror film is as well written, acted, filmed, or scored. The tension, dread, and horror are top notch. Some may do certain things better but as a whole it’s unbeatable.
💯 this is in my top 5 favorite films of ALL-TIME!
I consider it one of the greatest comedies of all time.
@@firebird7479
When I saw it, it scared the hell outta me
When my older brother saw it, he could barely contain his laughter.
Movies like "SAW" and "THE PURGE" and "HALLOWEEN 2018" are what make me laugh.
I think horror's subjective, like comedy.
As a Gen Xer I love watching Gen Z watching this for the first time.
No CGI. Brutal practical effects , no cheap jumps scares, slow deliberate pacing and shocks that are not even seen today in horror. A masterpiece.
"I'll take my chances, I'll take my chances yo!" Out the window, I literally laughed out loud. Love you guys.
The inspector was key. You will grow to appreciate it more and more after many viewings. He’s very vital… Grand performance. Trust me.
--- they obviously didn't take it seriously on this viewing. I don't think kids making jokes every 10 seconds, can take it seriously and appreciate it.
@@2SanJunipero you are so wrong. I’ve watched hundreds of reactors watch countless films. They are very thoughtful and did well on a first viewing with as little knowledge going in as they had. I’ve watched Exorcist too many times to count. Very happy with their treatment of this.
@@paulklenknyc Instead of WATCHING how they reacted, listen to what they say after the movie. People react in real time in various ways. They took it serious, but watching the movie is a personal thing, some people talk a lot, some don't.
@@2SanJunipero honestly seems like a Gen z thing. They are ultra critical of everything and think they know better, even when they are out of depth and things are going over their head. These dudes were pretty mild that way compared to so many others.
@@2SanJunipero Its really impossible to truly immerse yourself in a movie while given commentary. Your missing parts of the dialogue and subtle plot elements.
The Demon's name was Pazuzu and we know this because Father Merrin (The Exorcist) was looking at the statue of Pazuzu (at the beginning of the movie in the scenes that were shot in Northern Iraq) and is a real demon and the statue was probably real also. The relic Father Merrin found at the acheological dig was a representation of Pazuzu. The thing that the inspector found at the foot of the stairs facing M street and 36th street in Georgetown (a small suburb of Washington DC) was one of Reagan's clay figures that she made before Pazuzu started the process of possessing her. Reagan became possessed because she played with the Spirit Board or Ouija Board in an area where one or more demons were located at that time and playing with a Ouija Board where demonic, unclean spirits are present or close is openning the door and giving them permission. Reagan's resistence and defences were weak probably do to the family situation with her parents seperation. Reagan was vulnerable which made her more easily a target for Pazuzu to possess her and almost kill her. I hope this helps clear some things up in the movie that didn't make sense to you. I enjoyed your reaction Cam&Zay.
I was always pissed that the director never once mentioned that the demon was named Pazuzu. If you didn't read the book you wouldn't know that. Otherwise it's still one of the greatest movies ever made.
This is a good explanation
How did the demon travel all the way from Iraq to George Town though?
@@vickyfountain5094 Good question, unlike God (Yahweh), demons are NOT omnipresent (God is) because they were angels created by God, the fallen angels that God kicked out of heaven after they joined Lucifer (Satan) in a revolt against God. Anyway it is my personal belief that because of the corruption in Washington DC that there is an incredible amount of demonic activity in and around that city. I can't definitively say how Pazuzu got from Iraq to Washington DC maybe some one else can but they do have the ability to travel according to the Bible.
The Mesopotamian history is fascinating as hell as well. Good details in this film. Although Pazuzu was actually not quite always evil as depicted here.
I just read the book for the first time after loving the film since I first saw it as a kid in the 80’s. The author William Blatty also wrote the screenplay and it’s basically the book just lifted to the screen. Most scenes follow the book word for word. One result of that is some things that are explained in detail in the book are left out of the movie for time. The book spends a ton of time explaining why they’re so unsure about the possession. For instance the book tells you that there was a book in the house that mentions exorcism and they were afraid that she had read it and convinced herself she was possessed. That’s why the mom reacts so strongly to finding the crucifix in Regan’s room. She thinks someone put it there enforcing Regan’s delusion that she’s possessed. But you don’t get that from the film. Also the book explains that she often speaks in Burke Denning’s voice after he’s killed. That’s why she says “Do you know what she did? Your cunting daughter” That’s his voice. And her head then turns around in order to mimic what she did to Burke when she killed him. I never realized that until I read the book. I’d recommend reading it to anyone who is a fan of the movie. It’s a great supplement to the film. The scene where the demon rapes her with the crucifix is more disturbing in the book if you can even imagine.
If you haven't read it, check out "The Exorcist (BFI Classics)" by Mark Kermode.
Thank you! if I had known there was a book. . .
I read the book when I was living alone and it made me freeze out of fear for hours. Just couldnt move. I had to hide the book afterwards. 😅
*The demon's motivation for possessing Regan is twofold: Battling Father Merrin again, and destroying Father Karras' faith. Another reason was the demon enjoying the physical sensations, mostly sexual, only possible in a body. For those wondering, the demon didn't kill the older priest. He died of a heart attack.*
Oh man, both of your facial expressions are priceless! Understand this is in no way an insulting or derogatory comment, guys...I just so appreciate checking out younger generations (I was born in 1971, holy crap lofl) reactions to the same films that smacked me upside the head when I saw them way back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Luv to see more horror reactions, plz
did you notice how Regan's right hand was in the air the exact same way as the demon statue at the beginning when she was being interviewed by the hypnotist? the demon also pretended the tap water burned to make the priest think Regan was faking. very cunning! great reaction! 1 vote here for "the omen" and " the shining" , both super classic movies that everyone must see if they haven't yet 👻🎃👊
When she interrupts the party and says "you're gonna die up there", it's directed at the guest they focus on briefly. He is an astronaut (noted in the book).
I was 10 or so when I first saw this on VHS. I've seen it dozens of times and always find something new to appreciate each time.
And isn't he the same astronaut that appears in The Ninth Configuration?
The idea of Jackie Gleason and Lucille Ball as Heathcliff and Catherine was genius. To make such an idiotic statement, after what everyone had just been through, helped release so much of the tension that it was almost therapeutic. Great reaction, Guys!!!!
Unfortunately these 2 young guys probably have no idea who Jackie Gleason and Lucille Ball even are so that point would have been lost on them as it would have been with most people their age.
And Jason Miller (Father Karras) was married to Jackie Gleason’s daughter…
@@hak4890 OMG!!! You're right!!!! I didn't know that. That turns it into an inside joke and makes it even more hilarious. I tip my hat to William Peter Blatty ... what a writer!!!!!!!!!
@@hak4890 And Jason Miller and Jackie Gleason's daughter is the father and mother of Jason Patric, the actor... yes, Jackie Gleason's grandson.
@@hak4890 what??? lol that's perfect
The thing that scares me the most about this movie was Burke Dennings' death. All the layers of what and why and how. The detective parsing out his murder is basically what proves Regan is possessed.
I suspect it's the "nothing is scarier then what's not shown" trope.
Considering that this film is a Half Century old, I think the effects and makeup were astounding. I saw it in 1973 when I was 14. ..... And let me tell you, that for the time, it was probably the most freakishly hellish film ever produced. Really enjoyed your reactions to this! I subscribed!
Same.. I was about 15 when I saw this in a theater at the midnight showing.. I was traumatized
This is the first of its kind in terms of a movie dealing with possession--that story to my awareness had not been told before. The director really uses the sound design and mixing to its greatest extent to basically assault the viewer. There are stories of the actress who voiced possessed Reagan being tied to a chair, fed raw eggs and milk, and other extremes to get the most out of her voice. A lot of bad things happened on the set of this film, including a fire and I think one or two people dying and getting injured, including the actress who plays the mom (I think she wrenched her back when being thrown to the floor in the, um, crucifix scene. This is one year shy of being 50 years old and its ability to affect audiences to this day is a testament.
Notation, fellas, extra "cut-scenes" during the credits wasn't really a thing back in the 70s. That's more of a modern filmmakers practices, especially with those MCU films. They did start doing it in the 80s with films like The Thing, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off", etc., but such things were few and far between. When a movie ended in the 80s and prior, they just ended, lol.
Every detail doesn't always need laid out, it let's you use your imagination
I am 63, saw this in 1974, and it is a BRILLIANT Film. I am SO happy both of you make the intelligent comments you did. It's good to know there are two younger people that saw exactly HOW great it is, the underlying meaning, and the developments of the characters. Great Job.
This movie was such a blockbuster when it came out in 1973 that it ran in the theaters for two years solid!
Everything was calculated by the demon to draw Merin back to it for a final confrontation: inhabiting a child of a famous actress; knowing Karras had to meet the criteria to have an exorcism approved by speaking different languages and acting like the tap water hurt it; allowing the words "help me" surface on her abdomen; preying on Karras' guilt about his mother through dreams and personal interaction. All of this was to prompt the church to draw Merin into the fray. Ultimately, it was his ailing heart that sapped his strength and ultimately, his life, which first left the demon dumbfounded and then giddy. Remember, the senior priests discussed the fact Merin had done an exorcism in Africa that lasted MONTHS and "damned near killed him." And the silhouette of the demon statute he saw in Iraq next to the silhouette of the girl tells the viewers, it is the same demon he encountered in Africa. When Merin successfully exorcised the demon in Africa, the demon took it personally. This was a revenge match. The movie freaked people out because the film seemed to portray evil as being so much more powerful than good, and that it cost the lives of three people, including two of God's messengers, while the demon still escaped. And in the 1970s, movies did not really use violence involving children in films, so that alone, shocked many.
LOL, my brother took me to see this in the theater when I was 12 years old. It's awesome. Max Von Sydow was only 44 during this movie.
In my opinion, I think having the detective was a good idea; it helped give the movie a nice balance of calm and crazy.
50:21 That Police Detective REALLY wants to start a Movie Reaction Channel. First with father Karras and then with Father Dyer 🙂
Subscribed
Love how you two immersed yourself in the story and characters. This has the reputation of “the thinking man’s movie” it has so many levels and repeated viewings I had, I discovered more. Probably one of the best movies directed and acted and well crafted.
It’s ironic that a mother who has “no religious beliefs” begs for help from a priest who has guilt and “lost” his faith. He saved himself by sacrificing himself to save a little girl’s life. A little girl he never really met.
Nominated for 10 Oscars including best picture. Yes and Linda Blair won a golden globe for her iconic performance.
It’s not the relic the Detective finds at the bottom of the steps, it’s a model that Regan made. That’s how he knows Burke was in her bedroom. He asks her mother “ your daughter is the artist?” Her artist materials were also used in the church vandalism. Nor question no one ever asks, her mother takes the crucifix away, but Regan has it again later. So she must’ve crept downstairs while her mother was talking to the detective.
These are the things I love about this movie, the subtle details you miss at first viewing. Like in the very beginning, when Chris enters Regan's bedroom and hits her foot on something. Regan's furniture was already out of place, just like the things moving in the attic. Or when Regan asks her mother if she likes Burke and says "I heard differently...", you almost miss the fact "Captain Howdy" was already telling her things.
@@alexmoreira876 yes exactly. And the model that Regan shows Chris that she has made has a resemblance to the demon statue.
THANK YOU for including the scene on the stairs where they talk about "why this girl": one of the most important scenes in the movie that takes it beyond just a horror movie.
It's not all that important, as it wasn't even in the original version. The viewer was meant to figure that out just by paying attention. Personally, when I saw this version, that was one of the scenes I really disliked.
"My daughter turned into an owl. She turned her head like a fucking owl" 😂
Interesting fact: Your reaction when you saw the Ouija board is _because_ of this movie. Like Cam's father, I too was born in 1961. We had a Ouija board when I was a kid because before this movie, it was considered just another fun board game. This movie is what gave it its reputation for evil.
I think in reality Ouija boards are dangerous. When I was a teen in the 80's I bought one and used it alone. I started experiencing strange things that I could not explain along with disturbing dreams and at times felt like something was touching me when no one was there. As you can imagine, this started to frighten me. I eventually did a prayer session and stopped all communication with the supposed spirit I had been talking to through the Ouija board and suddenly everything weird stopped and life was back to normal. I never used a Ouija board again. I have talked to a few people who have had strange or scary things happen when using a Ouija board. I think it's just not worth it to find out.
@@BlackavarWD ...I don't see my reply to you, so I am repeating it again...There is no evidence either way of a god, but does not mean a Ouija board is totally harmless. I am agnostic. I bought it and used it because I too thought it was just a toy and harmless. Nothing bad happened right away, it wasn't until after I was using it a few months that negative things started happening. I have also talked to a few people who had negative experiences with it. You can argue with me that what happened to me was in my mind, but that's the thing...Whether it's real or not, psychological experiences feel VERY real to the person experiencing it, and so it can be harmful, especially to children who can't handle that. There are children out there who will use a Quija board who may believe in god, may believe in spirits, or who believe in Santa Claus. Do you really think they are equipped to handle such a psychological mind test? No, they are not. There is a reason why parents do not let children see violent movies, horror movies, etc., because doesn't matter if you tell them it's not real, it will still affect them in a very real way.
@@BlackavarWD ...You still suggested it though because you said there is no God therefore nothing is happening, and it's just a toy. You were replying directly to what I experienced, suggesting it was not real.
I have had one in my house for thirty years. I'm am still waiting for the evil to visit.
This is definitely the best horror movie, IMO. Because it’s psychological horror, it stays frightening upon repeated viewings, even decades later. I hate jump scares in modern movies. Yes, I jump, but they’re easy and cheap (“like a two-bit hooker”), and I never jump on re-viewing.
If you watch it by yourself in the dark you’ll have a very different take. You’ll come away more scared than any other movie you ever watched.
Don't do it
My grandmother and great aunt went to see this in theaters in 1973 when they were 26 and 27. They only lasted between 30 and 45 minutes before they ran out terrified. My aunt actually cried and she’s never been an emotional woman in the very least. To this day, they’ve never seen the rest of it and ABSOLUTELY refuse to. Very cutting edge and terrifying for it’s time and, in some parts, still is.
I went into the original completely blind....because I was going thru Marine Corps boot camp when the film was released. Had NO idea the movie was even out there & it had received all the hype & notoriety. I saw it in the summer of 1974....and it traumatized & scared the $#!t out of me. The BEST movie-going experience of my life. Definitely got my money's worth. There was NO backing music, so it really seemed real. More intense.
The actor who played Father Dyer, Father Karras' friend, is a real priest. He was also a technical advisor on the film.
Linda Blair as “Regan” won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar for this role. I was 10 yrs old and my mom took me to the movie theater. Trust me this movie had lines going around the corners people waiting too see it. She became a big teen star and was a regular in all the teen mags. As a teen I enjoyed some of her tv movies such as “Born Innocent “(1974), “Sweet Hostage”(1975) and “Sarah T Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic”(1975). I recall her movie choices were criticized due to her age. I loved them, I was a big fan.🔥
Sounds crazy but this is such a rewatchable film for me. Just amazing 👍
Agreed. Seen it many times and always find something new to appreciate.
I've seen it MULTIPLE times!
There's much to praise about this, but for me it comes down to the writing (the screenplay did win the BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY Oscar after all, RARE for a horror film)!
The power of Christ compels you!
That was the best reaction so far. You talked less than most which is always good.Didn't cut it to bits. Good job!
Imagine the trailer for this coming on TV when you’re 9 years old. It scared the life out of me. And living in DC , the house used for filming, although smaller in real life, and those creepy ass stairs are still there. The stairs are an official DC tourist attraction now and are known as “The Exorcist” stairs. I wasn’t able to watch it until 1979 when I was 15 , edited for TV and it still scared me to the point I slept with the lights on that night. Also that was not the relic the detective found at the bottom of the stairs, it was one of the clay figurines Regan had made that was in her room.
I saw this when I was 18. I had to sleep with my mom that night. Terrifying 😂
31:37, "my daughter turned into an owl."
😆😆 I! Lost! It!!!😂🤣🤣
When I was 8 years old, our next door neighbors had a little boy who was 4 years old. He was very proud of his special gift of being able to vomit at will, and equally eager to show off that talent. That was in the 1960's, and to this day my mother thinks he was the cutest thing ever. He also threw rocks at me and my friends, and one of them drew blood.
A scary part that most people overlook is when the mom puts the crucifix down on the small table before speaking to Lt. Kinderman. She speaks to Kinderman, but then afterwards the crucifix is no longer there. This means Reagan must have come downstairs while they were talking to pick up the crucifix and take it back upstairs before the masterbating scene. Freaky.
In the book it is made clear Karl put it in her room both times, since he is Catholic.
A very small but fondamental detail which is not easy to catch out is in the scene where Regan's head turns 180° while screaming: "Do you know what she did, your c*** daughter?". Actually the voice coming out from Regan's mouth is Burke Dennings' voice, the film maker and friend of Chris McNeal, who was killed from Regan and pushed out of window on the stairs, with the broken neck and the head turned 180° (this description is said in the movie, but it is such a small detail that the public can't remember and associate to the scene. Moreover, in the movie the voice of Burke it is very few heard, so it's difficult to understand). So it's Burke, with the broken neck and the head turned 180°, saying Chris this about her daughter! I think that this detail makes the scene, already powerful, even stronger!
Greetings from England. Enjoyed your reaction guys. The effect this film had when it was
released here in 1974 was indescribable.
One thing the movie doesn't make as clear as the book is that Regan's mother is an atheist. They mention it in passing in the doctor's office when he asks her if she has any religious beliefs but it is easy to miss. Also Karras was the real target of the demon all along. The demon used Regan as a way to get to Karras. Remember the comment the demon made about an exorcism bringing him and Karras together.
l read the book and you are right
This was one of the BEST reaction videos to this film on here. Loved watching you experience this classic for the first time.
"Your mother sews socks that smell!" was the parody of that line on SNL back in the day.
I've also heard the version "your mother sets clocks in hell."
About the denial - you’re coming from a perspective that exorcism movies & stories are more common & known about. But they are only known about because of this movie. At that time they were pretty much unheard of. Like he answers the mother “ you need a time machine because they’re just not done anymore “
You guys are great. 👍🏼 without a doubt... the best line of the entire reaction... of a 1973 film:
"Is there a post credit scene?"
🤣🤣🤣🤣 priceless!!!! LOL
KEEP BEING AWESOME, GUYS! 👍🏼
That coming down the stairs upsidedown, gave me the most chills and jumpscares I had ever had in my life.
I saw this movie when it came out, I was 14. OMG, the scariest movie ever made. I can’t watch it again, forget that. The Omen is so suspenseful, it’s a must. 💀
I humbly recommend The Omen, Rosemary's Baby, The Others, The Sixth Sense, The Others, 28 Days Later, Poltergeist, Shaun of the Dead, Frankenstein (original), Dracula (original), Bram Stoker's Dracula, Young Frankenstein, Beetlejuice, Carrie, The Conjuring, The Lost Boys, Zodiac, and Carrie.
I think the guys would have fun with "The Lost Boys". Good tip.
For The Omen, please review the 1976 version, not so much the 2006 version.
I've always been impressed with the flat top grill in the kitchen like many restaurants use.
Some things never change. I was in 9th grade when this released and it got a lot of press because no other movie had displayed many of the situations presented here. Add to that the typical rumor and urban legend and there it is.
If no one else tried to explain about the inspector: The events of this story result in some deaths. By having the police involved it grounds the story, uses a detective whom understands 'you can't believe in coincidence anymore' which brings him to the home of a woman who now starts to realize her daughter could be responsible. It adds weight to the main issue and also allows the story to breath in between episodes.
The actor who played the elderly priest exorcist is Max Von Sydow. He, believe it or not, was in his mid-40's when he did this movie. The make-up artist for the movie won an award for best prostetic make-up. It was ground breaking at the time in 1974. Only five years earlier, Max Von Sydow played Christ in another movie. He was in his late 30's at the time!
You guys need to check out The Exorcist III. It’s an amazing sequel and directed by the writer who wrote the novel and the script of the first film.
It also contains one of the funniest lines ever. George C. Scott: "My God!! The Grammar!!"
I agree Phil it was good and I just told them about exorcist 3 hopefully they’ll watch it
Also one of my favorites George C Scott was my main reason for liking this film but the fun itself was done really well
And definitely skip Exorcist 2!!!
3 is the best sequel. But the other sequels are so bad that the bar isn't that high. I think people overrate 3 a little.
48:37 - For this scene, the director, William Friedkin, slapped the ish out of the actor, William O'Malley ("Father Dyer") right before the take to get the emotion that he wanted out of him for the scene. Those tears were real tears.
Wow! You guys didn't disappoint, and your intro was hilarious. Glad to know you guys are freaked out by horror. I will now be eagerly awaiting all your future horror reactions.
Couple of things. Why Regan kissed the priest at the end: I think this was to give us a final quasi-jump scare as we see her impulsively moving toward him. It make us wonder if she's going to attack him. Then the kiss itself was to give some degree of confirmation that the demon had indeed been exorcised.
At the very end when the detective is trying to get the priest to go to a movie with him he suggests "Wuthering Heights" starring Jackie Gleason and Lucille Ball. The latter 2 were of course famous comedic actors and the very idea of them acting in Charlotte Bronte's Wuthering Heights is ridiculous. They probably could have done a spoof of it though - "Withering Heights" or something of that sort.
I've seen about 9or10 of your reactions so far and this is by far the best one yet.I was starting to think that no reactors had the courage to leave in the most shocking scenes.Well done.
October suggestion: The Witch; The Others; but definitely The Shining, which is extra disturbing when you know that Shelly Duvall was pushed to the point of an emotional breakdown
The only reason I got through this was watching you two. You managed to make me laugh out loud during a movie that was called the scariest movie of all time back in the day and still is rated #1 scariest movie to this day on Rotton Tomatoes. Great job guys. 😄
Saw it in the theater when it came out. It shocked the American public, going way past anything we had seen before. Have vague memories of some people passing out, others getting sick in the theater. So many issues, some theaters had a nurse in the lobby during showings.
Mainly for those that rushed out, into the lobby!! 😱
there are only two movies in history that had a psychological cultural effect that frightened the entire nation, The exorcist and Jaws. The exorcist, people are passing out in the theaters afraid to sleep at night and Jaws and tire country was afraid to go in the ocean. I was in my late teens at early twenties when these movies came out I seen it first hand.
01:07:15 " I think this movie is probably better understood by more artistic people" after lots of reactions/opinions about of this movies, this is it!
That comment made me feel satisfied
In case someone else hasn't mentioned it, the inspector was needed to confirm that Burke was killed by the little girl. No one knew his head was backwards but the cops. It was the inspector that told the priest AND the mom what really happened. His parts were drawn out tho.
Ragans character was actually physically hurt doing the bed scene where she was flopping up and down really fast
Damn movie traumatized me as a kid
You got a new sub great reaction
The scene where Chris and Regan played with the Oujia board. Regan didn’t properly opened and closed the board. Therefore, Pazuzu ( aka Captain Howdy ) was able to take possession of Regan.
Now watch Repossessed. With Leslie Nielsen playing a priest who is called back to do an exorcism on a young woman who was possessed as a child. That woman? A grown up Linda Blair. It's a comedy film and I remember watching it a lot as a kid. Hilarious. I didn't see The Exorcist until I was about 17 tho. Scared the shit out of me. I've only seen it again via reaction channels.
You bring up a good point about how there was too much denial from the doctors and Father Karras.
At the time when this movie was being made, faith/religion was in decline and science/medicine was becoming more prevalent, thus, all of the denials. It was right after the movie's release that faith/religion started being popular again.
This wasn't a horror movie, but a film about faith and spiritualization that dwells within all of humanity, the good/evil that we all struggle with. Some of the priests within the movie were actual priests in real life, William O'Malley (Father Dyer) was a Jesuit priest, R.I.P.
Before we begin.. I just want to tell you both good luck, we're all counting on you. Mwa ha ha ha
The statue was of the demon of the SW wind, called Pazuzu, which is named in the novel but not in the film. The coin (I believe) was a St Christopher medal, given to folks from Catholic clergy to people, who travel. St Christopher is the patron saint of travelers. Merrin excavated the mini idol in Iraq, which depicted what the ancients thought Pazuzu/Captain Howdy looked like. When Pazuzu befriended Regan in her solitude in the basement/rec room, he influenced her "art sculptures", and she had a vision to recreate the mini idol Merrin had found in the rubble in Iraq. In the novel Kinderman finds some of Regan's sculptures' remnants at the bottom of the Hitchcock stairs, which means Burke likely was holding one of her art pieces, when she pushed him out of the window, thus it traveled to the site of the investigation. That type of clay was unique to her rec room art, so that's how Kinderman could pin the murder of Dennings on a pre-teen girl. Kinderman was there not because Regan was sick and he was concerned. He was there to solve the murder. Read the sequel: Legion: Exorcist 3 by William Peter Blatty for more about Kinderman's investigation and see the film: Exorcist III. Kinderman and Karl had a lot more back stories in the novel, but they had to edit for time.
I'd have to say the most disconcerting thing in your review was when you kept telling Regan's mother to get out, stay away from her, etc. and calling Regan "it". But that's just because of your age. Parents stand by and protect their kids no matter what.
I love watching the younger generation today watch this movie ,,it’s awesome,,I was born in 73,,it does an old man heart good to see this movie still rockin today 👍🏻
I was born in Jan of 73 myself. Always bothered me that it came out in the year I was born lol😂
Lol 😂
The directors cut - or "Version You've Never Seen" are great versions - but the original theatrical version released in the theaters in late 1973 should be seen also - the editing & pacing of the original cut is brilliant and it's the reason why this film is such an all-time classic ..
Convincing the church is a LOT harder than you’d ever imagine. One of my best friends is a Roman Catholic priest, they have enough trained Exorcists even today, but each has to be approved by The Vatican. Which by the time that happens, most of the subjects are dead. Sounds horrible, but it is the truth. It allows them to say no Exorcisms have occurred in however long.
Great review guys......I can't stress to you more that this was the 70's, a time that people spooked easier, people as a whole we're in my opinion more religious, and I myself snuck to a friends house who had the VHS movie and we watched (we we're 11 years old 😳).......SCARED THE S#it out of us for weeks 🤣
This was filmed on and around my college campus a few years before I went there. Those steps are pretty scary enough but knowing the movie they were terrifying. And walking up them late at night after drinking was something else.
Thanks for these extended cut, is never seen it before.
The Exorcist...still the G.O.A.T. horror flick.
During the crucifix scene Regan (Pazuzu Demon) spun her head and spoke in Burke’s voice…mocking Burke’s death and hinting to the viewer that Regan killed Burke by twisting his head and defenestrating him. This is why she says “Do you know what she did? You’re kunt1ng daughter?”
The Exorcist is one of the greatest horror movies of all time!! Even though it was in 1973, it was so ahead of its time!
You can't imagine what it was like seeing this over 50 yrs ago !
Love the reaction guys. I first saw this at age six and it instantly became my favorite movie. I had a list of questions for the demon lol. My dad and I used to watch scary movies and I always understood they were just movies so I never had nightmares. This is still my favorite movie.
An interesting fact is that the demon in this movie, Pazuzu, is a demon that was actually worshipped in ancient Mesopotamian societies. In that sense Pazuzu is a real part of our human history. I suggest you wikipedia him.
This movie is also a book if you are interested. It explains a lot more in the book but you can see how the movie was adapted from it. Its a damn good read. Its also based on a true story although its a boy who's possessed instead of a young girl.
The voice of Pazuzu was actress Mercedes McCambridge. You should listen to an interview with her on how she achieved the voice.
Is it just me or does anybody else have a problem with the fact that a 6 year old was allowed to watch this film?
The book actually details a lot more than the movie and to me this is just my honest opinion I think the book is more scarier than the movie because the way it details what Reagan really really went through and etc that book had me on edge seriously when I read it and that was decade ago LOL and I haven't forgot it
At age six! Age six ?? What kind of parents did you have that let you watch this movie at age six? It didn't traumatized you ?
Michael
@@vivianalvarez5827lol😂...I was raised by good parents who married in their early twenties and are still married into their 70s. They had me and always rescued animals. I grew up with 4 dogs and several cats. They still rescue and fix all the neighborhood cats and their special needs pitbull just passed away a couple years ago from old age. Her name was Lilly. She was all white with a big black patch on her bum that looked like a lilly-pad.
My dad is a 6'1, 200lb, two-tour vietnam veteran and survivor, never drank, rode a Harley Davidson, worked for Harley Davidson, had a pitbull named Harley and is a lifetime Veteran and Biker. Before he worked for Harley he worked security and he taught me how to correctly carry and beat the 💩 out of someone with a mag-lite. He gave me his machete as an heirloom. He taught me to help animals give birth to their young and how to give them a loving home. My mom is a tiny Irish woman who scares my father when she's angry. Otherwise she's an angel with strawberry-blonde hair and pale blue eyes who has never actually had a tan in her life lol.
The most important thing he/they taught me is that the only monsters in this world are bad people, not fictional characters. In fact, most bad fictional characters are based on actual bad people. Js. He/they taught me reality. I am now 46, my husband and I have three rescue dogs and I will always be grateful to my father and mother for raising me in the real world. There's your answer and best of luck to you.
The answers to your questions are all addressed in the novel. The film makers had to make some considerations in how much detail and background to insert before the timing and dialog became laborious. They gave "Just Enough" for the average viewer to put two and two together for themselves.
The novel goes with your preferred route of making the early symptoms less dramatic, but the director of the movie decided to amp things up, so it does seem bizarre that some of the manifestations are brushed aside. The novel also makes it clear that Merrin has faced this particular demon before, and defeated it, and that the discovery of its totem in Iraq causes him to realise that a rematch is on the horizon; and that the target of the possession is Merrin himself.
One of the subsequent movies (Exorcist III : Legion) is a genuine sequel (written and directed by the original author of The Exorcist) and is a very good movie in its own right; but the other movies are dumbed-down cash-grabs and should be avoided.
Movies almost always over dramatize events, its called "artistic license". We who are true cinephiles accept this as part of the movie watching experience. Also what works on the page doesn't always translate well to film.
@@blkluv100 Yes, I know what it's called, but these reactors seemed to find that it undermined the credibility of the story, so it's worth pointing out that this was a creative decision on the part of the director.
@@D-Cameron The comment was more so directed to the reactors, who don't seem that knowledgeable of novel to film adoptions. Something is almost always lost in translation because of the difference in media. Films have a shorter period of time to relay information so some things have to be combined, deleted or speeded up to fit the time restrictions.
I watched this when it came out from the balcony of a local theatre. Had to sidestep vomit when we walked down the stairs to leave. I've never heard more screams at a movie than I did that day.
46:43 😂
It's because of reactions like this that I can't wait to see what you guys watch next ~ 💕
I'm a old guy. Watched this in 73 at a Japanese theater while in the Navy. It was even scarier. No cuts at all. There are different versions of this. Some of the Japanese actually ran out screaming. When it was over and I was walking out, the woman had smeared make up on their face where they had been crying etc.
Another trivia: when Regan levitates with that tranced-state while possessed, the demon was also mocking the crucifixion symbol.
I love that you young guys take these old movies seriously and appreciate their value! This is one of my favorite movies horror or otherwise because of the story telling and acting!
I'd already watched the Exorcist this halloween (including sequels) but saw you guys were watching this, so I had to watch. Good on you both for watching it.