Posted on 08/12/2004 5:59:12 PM PDT by missyme
Did the Classic Horror Flick Haunt More Than Just the Audience?
When The Exorcist was released late in 1973, it sparked a visceral reaction from the public--literally. There were reports of people vomiting from the fright of a story about a young girl possessed by a demon.
The movie went on to become a massive hit, but few of those who flocked to the film knew about its grueling, nearly yearlong shoot or the tragedies that befell some of the cast and crew. Misfortune also followed the movie's sequels, leading some to wonder: Was there a curse on The Exorcist?
As its prequel, Exorcist: The Beginning, makes its way to theaters, E! delves into the mystery with a new E! True Hollywood Story, premiering Aug. 15 at 8 p.m. We go behind the scenes of the controversial film and reveal just why some believe the movie was cursed.
Whether you buy into curses or not, one thing is indisputable: The filming of The Exorcist was tough on all concerned. From a director who liked to startle his cast to a 12-year-old actress spouting some truly disturbing dialogue to the infamous "pea soup" scene, few escaped the production unscathed.
Subsequent Exorcist films had their share of bad luck as well--although many critics believe that's a result of questionable filmmaking more than any curse. Still, the mystery surrounding the films remains.
Think you can turn heads with your Exorcist knowledge? Then take our devilishly designed quiz, and watch the the Story to find out more about The Exorcist.
I am not ashamed to say that, as a horror-movie wuss, I haven't seen it. :) I did see the original HALLOWEEN, which is the scariest film -I've- ever seen!
Actually, the opposite is generally true. He'd love for us to believe that he doesn't exist. It seems that he can't help himself sometimes, especially when he's being "outed."
"Stay away from anything dealing with the occult, including Ouija boards."
You're right. Years ago, at work, we had a lull. One of the girls brought in a Ouija board. We were fooling around with it just for fun. A co-worker came in into our office (by the way, she was a Republican and conservative, the last person on the face of the earth who you would ever think knew anything about the occult). She told us that we had to call on a spirit. Our spirit was "J" from "Hel" and he was nine years old.
We ditched the board. Don't mess with it.
Terry Kerry?
I saw the original Exorcist when it came out and was scared out of my wits. The next week, I decided to go see it again...what a difference! When you know what is coming, it changes everything -- the film was so awful that I laughed at myself for ever being scared by it. It reminded me of the time I was in Disneyland as a kid riding the Peter Pan ride (do they even still have it anymore or has it gone the way of the rocketship to the moon?) The ride got stuck for a while and I was up in the air, hovering over a beautiful nighttime scene of 19th century London. Then the "work lights" came on as they attempted to get the ride back on-line. The harsh lights revealed that quaint London was a crappy, paint-blistered collection of propped-up cardboard. I had the same reaction when seeing The Exorcist a second time -- all the seams were showing.
What's this Hill House movie? What's it about? Is it also based on actual events?
I saw the original Exorcist when it came out and was scared out of my wits. The next week, I decided to go see it again...what a difference! When you know what is coming, it changes everything -- the film was so awful that I laughed at myself for ever being scared by it. It reminded me of the time I was in Disneyland as a kid riding the Peter Pan ride (do they even still have it anymore or has it gone the way of the rocketship to the moon?) The ride got stuck for a while and I was up in the air, hovering over a beautiful nighttime scene of 19th century London. Then the "work lights" came on as they attempted to get the ride back on-line. The harsh lights revealed that quaint London was a crappy, paint-blistered collection of propped-up cardboard. I had the same reaction when seeing The Exorcist a second time -- all the seams were showing.
You have to burn it, you know. Check your local fire regs first, of course.
If you like these types of movies, you should check out "Lost Souls," starring Wynona Ryder. Not quite up to the level of the others we've touched upon, but one "hell" of a good movie, nonetheless.
Aunt died from being possessed?
Fr. Lebar, the exorcist for the archdiocese of NY, stated in an interview on Catholic Answers that the movie portrayal is accurate, but it represents a conflation of all of the phenomena that he's experienced when performing exorcisms.
He's seen the posessed levitate. He's heard people speak in dead languages. He's even seen the head-spinning thing. He said it's an illusion, similar to the way ice skaters and ballerinas pirouette. The head doesn't actually rotate 180 degrees. The body rotates as well.
Um, no. Postulation is that her death is what led to the possession of the boy. Go back and re-read my original posting. Slowly.
ping
I remember some stupid thing in high school where you looked in the mirror and said some evil ladies name 3 times and she was suppose to appear in the mirror I never did but I had friends that did and saw her oh well..I am pretty much a chicken when it comes to scarry stuff....
Do you know if Lebar involved in any of the investigations of the Amityville house? I thought I remember hearing the Church did look into that but don't know if any of it was ever substantiated as satanic.
I agree Halloween, Freddie none of the Horror movies compare to the Excorcist...The Music is awful when there in Africa it is freaky the whole movie leaves you in a frozen state of fear....
We gave it to Jimmy, one of the maintenance men at work. He said he chucked it in the furnace.
Boy in Maryland, yes, but closer to Washington. Cottage City or Mt. Rainier, Maryland (Washington, DC suburbs) depending on which version of the story is followed. He was examined by a Lutheran pastor before being referred to the Catholic Church. A Fr. Hughes attempted the first exorcism in Maryland, but suffered a serious injury (lacerated arm). The boy was taken to Georgetown University hospital and then to St. Louis University. Fr. William Bowdern, SJ, of St. Louis, performed the exorcism.
This was in 1949.
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