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The Exorcist is an American anthologyhorrorsupernaturaldrama television series that debuted on Fox on September 23, 2016. The series stars Alfonso Herrera, Ben Daniels, and is based on the William Peter Blattynovel of the same name. A direct sequel to the 1973 film of the same name (ignoring the events of the previous four films in the series), it is part of The Exorcist franchise.^[2] It was commissioned on May 10, 2016.^[3]

On May 12, 2017, Fox renewed the series for a second season, subtitled The Next Chapter,^[4] which premiered on September 29, 2017.^[5][6] On May 11, 2018, Fox canceled the series after two seasons.^[7]

• 1Cast
• 2Episodes
• 3Production
• 4Reception

Cast[edit]

Main[edit]

• Alfonso Herrera as Father Tomas Ortega
• Ben Daniels as Father Marcus Keane
• Hannah Kasulka as Casey Rance (season 1; guest season 2)
• Brianne Howey as Katherine 'Kat' Rance (season 1)
• Kurt Egyiawan as Father Devon Bennett
• Alan Ruck as Henry Rance (season 1)
• Geena Davis as Angela Rance / Regan MacNeil (season 1)
• Zuleikha Robinson as Mouse (season 2)
• Li Jun Li as Rose Cooper (season 2)
• Brianna Hildebrand as Verity (season 2)
• John Cho as Andrew 'Andy' Kim (season 2)

Recurring[edit]

• Robert Emmet Lunney as The Salesman / Captain Howdy / Pazuzu (season 1)
• Mouzam Makkar as Jessica (season 1)
• Kirsten Fitzgerald as Maria Walters
• David Hewlett as the voice of the demon / Pazuzu
• Sharon Gless as Chris MacNeil^[8] (season 1)
• Camille Guaty as Olivia (season 1)
• Deanna Dunagan as Mother Bernadette (season 1)
• Torrey Hanson as Cardinal Guillot
• Francis Guinan as Simon the priest (season 1)
• Cyrus Arnold as David 'Truck' Johnson III (season 2)
• Hunter Dillon as Caleb (season 2)
• Alex Barima as Shelby (season 2)
• Amélie Eve as Grace (season 2)
• Christopher Cousins as Peter Osborne (season 2)^[9]
• Alicia Witt as Nicole Kim (season 2)
• Zibby Allen as Cindy (season 2)
• Beatrice Kitsos as Harper Graham (season 2)

Episodes[edit]

Series overview[edit]

Season 1 (2016)[edit]

Season 2 (2017)[edit]

Production[edit]

Development[edit]

Jeremy Slater wrote the pilot. On January 22, 2016, Fox ordered the pilot to be shot.^[31][32] The series is described as 'a propulsive, serialized psychological thriller following two very different men tackling one family's case of horrifying demonic possession, and confronting the face of true evil.'^[31]

Casting[edit]

On February 24, 2016, Brianne Howey was cast as Katherine Rance.^[33] On February 29, 2016, Hannah Kasulka was cast as Casey Rance.^[34] On March 2, 2016, Alfonso Herrera and Ben Daniels were cast as Father Tomas and Father Marcus respectively.^[35][36] On March 3, 2016, Kurt Egyiawan was cast as Father Bennett.^[37][38] On March 7, 2016, Geena Davis was cast as Angela Rance.^[38] On June 7, 2017, it was announced that Davis, Ruck, Kasulka and Howey would not return as regular cast members in the second season. Herrera, Egyiawan and Daniels will return, as their characters will preside over a new possession case.^[39] In July, John Cho, Brianna Hildebrand, Zuleikha Robinson and Li Jun Li were cast in series regular roles for season two.^{[40][41][42][43]} In August, Christopher Cousins and Cyrus Arnold were cast in recurring roles.^[44]

Filming[edit]

Fox announced that the first season of the show would be shot in Chicago.^[45] Season two filming began July 28, 2017, in Vancouver.^[46]

Home media[edit]

DVDs for both seasons are available to purchase through Amazon.com beginning July 10, 2018.^[47]

Reception[edit]

Ratings[edit]

Critical reception[edit]

The Exorcist has received generally positive reviews from critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gives the series a score of 89% based on 51 reviews with an average of 6/10. The consensus says, 'The Exorcist doesn't come close to its classic source material, but still boasts a tense narrative that manages some legitimate scares and credible special effects.'^[49] On Metacritic, the show has a weighted average of 62/100 based on 28 reviews, indicating 'generally favorable reviews.'^[50]

Awards and nominations[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^Radish, Christina (September 29, 2017). 'The Exorcist' EPs Tease Season 2 and the Show's 'Powerful' New Possession Story'. Collider.
2. ^Jayson, Jay (October 22, 2016). 'Exorcist TV Series Revealed as Direct Sequel to Original Movie'. ComicBook.com.
3. ^Andreeva, Nellie (May 10, 2016). ''The Exorcist', 'Lethal Weapon', 'Making History', 'Pitch', 'The Mick' & 'APB' Get Fox Series Orders'. Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
4. ^Holbrook, Damian (September 11, 2017). 'A New Evil Comes Knocking in 'The Exorcist' Season 2 Trailer'. TV Insider. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
5. ^Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (May 12, 2017). ''The Exorcist' Renewed For Season 2 By Fox'. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
6. ^Holloway, Daniel (June 22, 2017). 'Fox Sets Fall Premiere Dates, Including 'Empire,' 'The Gifted,' 'The Orville''. Variety. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
7. ^Turchiano, Danielle (May 11, 2018). ''The Exorcist' Canceled by Fox After Two Seasons'. Variety. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
8. ^Slater, Jeremy [@jerslater] (October 22, 2016). 'And the mystery signature beneath the Post It belongs to the great Sharon Gless, who joined our cast tonight! Now off to draw some winners.' (Tweet). Retrieved October 22, 2016 – via Twitter.
9. ^Kirsch, Becky [@BeckyKirsch] (November 30, 2017). 'It's officially 'Osborne,' but I believe he was announced in the trades as 'Morrow' before we learned it didn't clear and changed it to Osborne. That's my theory on where the discrepancy online happened' (Tweet). Retrieved December 18, 2017 – via Twitter.
10. ^de Moraes, Lisa (May 25, 2017). 'Final 2016–17 TV Rankings: 'Sunday Night Football' Winning Streak Continues'. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
11. ^ ^abPorter, Rick (September 26, 2016). 'Friday final ratings: 'Hawaii Five-0' adjusts up, 'MacGyver' and 'Exorcist' hold'. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
12. ^Porter, Rick (October 3, 2016). ''MacGyver' and 'Exorcist' adjust down, 'Last Man Standing' adjusts up: Friday final ratings'. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
13. ^Porter, Rick (October 10, 2016). ''Hawaii Five-0' and others unchanged: Friday final ratings'. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
14. ^Porter, Rick (October 17, 2016). ''Shark Tank,' 'Blue Bloods' and 'Last Man Standing' adjust up: Friday final ratings'. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
15. ^Porter, Rick (October 24, 2016). ''Hawaii Five-0,' 'Shark Tank,' 'Hell's Kitchen' adjust up, 'Exorcist' adjusts down: Friday final ratings'. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
16. ^Porter, Rick (November 7, 2016). ''Shark Tank' adjusts up, 'The Exorcist' adjusts down: Friday final ratings'. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
17. ^Porter, Rick (November 14, 2016). 'Last Man Standing' adjusts up, all others hold: Friday final ratings'. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
18. ^Porter, Rick (November 21, 2016). 'The Exorcist' adjusts down: Friday final ratings'. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
19. ^Porter, Rick (December 12, 2016). ''Shark Tank,' 'Hawaii Five-0' and others unchanged: Friday final ratings'. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
20. ^ ^abWelch, Alex (December 19, 2016). ''Caught on Camera' adjusts down: Friday final ratings'. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
21. ^ ^abPorter, Rick (October 2, 2017). ''Hell's Kitchen' premiere adjusts up: Friday final ratings'. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
22. ^Porter, Rick (October 9, 2017). ''Hawaii Five-0' and 'Hell's Kitchen' adjust up, 'Exorcist' adjusts down: Friday final ratings'. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
23. ^Welch, Alex (October 16, 2017). ''Hell's Kitchen,' 'MacGyver,' 'Once Upon a Time,' & more remain unchanged: Friday final ratings'. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
24. ^Porter, Rick (October 23, 2017). ''Jane the Virgin,' 'Hawaii Five-0,' all others unchanged: Friday final ratings'. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
25. ^Porter, Rick (November 6, 2017). ''Hawaii Five-0,' 'Once Upon a Time' and others unchanged: Friday final ratings'. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
26. ^Porter, Rick (November 13, 2017). ''Hawaii Five-0,' 'Hell's Kitchen,' everything else unchanged: Friday final ratings'. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
27. ^Porter, Rick (November 20, 2017). ''Hell's Kitchen,' 'MacGyver' and all others unchanged: Friday final ratings'. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
28. ^Porter, Rick (December 4, 2017). ''Blue Bloods' and 'The Exorcist' adjust down: Friday final ratings'. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
29. ^Porter, Rick (December 11, 2017). ''Blue Bloods' adjusts down: Friday final ratings'. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
30. ^ ^abPorter, Rick (December 18, 2017). ''Hawaii Five-0' adjusts down: Friday final ratings'. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
31. ^ ^abHibberd, James (January 22, 2016). 'The Exorcist TV series in the works at Fox'. Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
32. ^Prudom, Laura (January 22, 2016). ''The Exorcist' Pilot Ordered at Fox with Modern Twist'. Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
33. ^Petski, Denise (February 24, 2016). 'Tracy Ifeachor Joins ABC Pilot 'Spark'; Brianne Howey In Fox's 'The Exorcist's'. Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
34. ^Petski, Denise (February 29, 2016). 'Hannah Kasulka Joins Fox's 'The Exorcist'; Sofia Black D'Elia In 'The Mick''. Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
35. ^Andreeva, Nellie (March 2, 2016). ''Exorcist': Alfonso Herrera & Ben Daniels To Star In Fox Drama Pilot'. Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
36. ^Slezak, Michael (March 2, 2016). 'The Exorcist Reboot: Fox Pilot CastsFlesh and Bone, Sense8 Stars'. TVLine. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
37. ^Petski, Denise (March 3, 2016). 'Geneva Carr Joins CBS Drama Pilot 'Bull'; Fox's 'The Exorcist' Adds Kurt Egyiawan'. Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
38. ^ ^abWagmeister, Elizabeth (March 7, 2016). 'Geena Davis Cast in Fox's 'Exorcist' Reboot Pilot'. Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
39. ^Ausiello, Michael (June 7, 2017). 'The Exorcist Season 2 Cast Shakeup: Who's In? Who's Out?'. TVLine. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
40. ^Petski, Denise (July 7, 2017). ''The Exorcist': John Cho Joins Season 2 Cast Of Fox Drama Series'. Deadline Hollywood.
41. ^Andreeva, Nellie (July 12, 2017). ''The Exorcist' Adds 'Deadpool's Brianna Hildebrand As Season 2 Series Regular'. Deadline Hollywood.
42. ^Andreeva, Nellie (July 17, 2017). ''The Exorcist' Adds Zuleikha Robinson As Season 2 Series Regular'. Deadline Hollywood.
43. ^Petski, Denise (July 26, 2017). ''The Exorcist' Adds Li Jun Li For Season 2'. Deadline Hollywood.
44. ^Petski, Denise (August 15, 2017). ''The Exorcist': Christopher Cousins & Cyrus Arnold Set To Recur In Season 2 Of Fox Series'. Deadline Hollywood.
45. ^Metz, Nina (May 11, 2016). 'Fox's 'The Exorcist,' 'A.P.B.' to film in Chicago for next TV season'. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
46. ^@bendanielsss (July 28, 2017). '4.30am, filth covered, voice ragged, every single muscle aching. Us two drain laughing through it all. Exorcist S02 1st day shooting. #heaven' (Tweet) – via Twitter.
47. ^'The Exorcist DVD Release date'. dvdreleasedates.com. June 22, 2018. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
48. ^de Moraes, Lisa (May 25, 2017). 'Final 2016–17 TV Rankings: 'Sunday Night Football' Winning Streak Continues'. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
49. ^'The Exorcist: Season 1 – Rotten Tomatoes'. Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
50. ^'The Exorcist (2016) – Season 1 Reviews – Metacritic'. Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
51. ^'31st ASC Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography'. ASC Web Site. Archived from the original on March 27, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
52. ^@_CineAddiction (November 29, 2017). 'Nominated for the #2017CineAwards for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Drama Series: #BenDaniels - #TheExorcist!!!' (Tweet). Retrieved November 29, 2017 – via Twitter.
53. ^@_CineAddiction (February 22, 2018). 'AND THE WINNER OF THE #2017CineAwards for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Drama Series is..... #BenDaniels - #TheExorcist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! @bendanielsss @TheExorcistFOX' (Tweet). Retrieved February 22, 2018 – via Twitter.
54. ^'Never mind Oscar, here's the 2017 FANGORIA Chainsaw Awards Nominees Ballot!'. fangoria.com. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
55. ^'Nominations Announced for 32nd Annual Imagen Awards'. July 6, 2017. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
56. ^'People's Choice Awards 2017: Full List Of Winners'. People's Choice. January 19, 2017. Archived from the original on January 20, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
57. ^McNary, Dave (March 1, 2017). 'Saturn Awards Nominations 2017: 'Rogue One,' 'Walking Dead' Lead'. Variety. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
58. ^@BDisgusting (January 8, 2018). 'Congrats to Alfonso Herrera for being voted BEST ACTOR IN TV by @bdisgusting readers for his role on @theexorcistFox! #BDReadersChoice2017' (Tweet). Retrieved January 8, 2018 – via Twitter.
59. ^'Official 2018 iHorror Awards Winner'. June 25, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
60. ^'Nominations Announced for 33rd Annual Imagen Awards'. June 28, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2018.

External links[edit]

• The Exorcist on IMDb

The Exorcist is an American horrorfilm series consisting of five installments based on the novel The Exorcist, created by William Blatty, and part of The Exorcist franchise. The films have been distributed by Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox.

The films have grossed over $661 million at the worldwide box office. Critics have given the films mixed reviews. In 2004, a prequel (Exorcist: The Beginning) was released. This was the second version of the prequel film made at that time as the first version (directed by Paul Schrader) was deemed unsatisfactory by the studio upon completion, and the entire project was refilmed by director Renny Harlin. However, Schrader's version received a limited release in 2005, after Harlin's, and was titled Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist.

• 1Films
• 3Cut scenes
• 4Reception
• 5Accolades
• 6Home media release

Films[edit]

The Exorcist[edit]

Based on the 1971 novel by William Peter Blatty, The Exorcist marries three scenarios into one plot.

The movie opens with Father Merrin (Max von Sydow) on an archaeological dig in Al-hadar, near Nineveh, in Iraq. He is alerted that a small carving is found in the dig, resembling a grimacing, bestial creature. After talking to one of his supervisors, he travels to a statue of Pazuzu; the small carving resembles the head of the statue. He sees ominous figures and two dogs fight viciously nearby, setting the tone for the rest of the film.

Exorcist II: The Heretic[edit]

Father Philip Lamont (Richard Burton), who is struggling with his faith, is assigned by the Cardinal (Paul Henreid) to investigate the death of Father Lankester Merrin (Max von Sydow). Merrin was killed in the first film during the exorcism of Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair). The Cardinal informs Lamont (who has had some experience at exorcism, and has been exposed to Merrin's teachings) that Merrin is being investigated posthumously for heresy. Despite approval of the McNeil exorcism by a bishop, the Church is no longer convinced that McNeil was truly possessed, and the controversial nature of Merrin's books on the subject are being reconsidered as politically and theologically suspect.

The Exorcist III[edit]

Adapted and directed by Blatty from his 1983 novel Legion, the film stars George C. Scott and several cast members (Jason Miller, Ed Flanders, Scott Wilson and George DiCenzo) from Blatty's previous film The Ninth Configuration. The story takes place 17 years after the events of The Exorcist and centers on the philosophical police detective William F. Kinderman from the first film. He investigates a series of brutal murders in Georgetown that resemble the modus operandi of a serial killer executed about the time of the McNeil exorcism.

Originally titled Legion, the film was drastically changed after rewrites and re-shoots ordered by the studio Morgan Creek Productions.^[1] Studio executives demanded the addition of an exorcism sequence, and retitled the film as The Exorcist III in order to more strongly tie the film to the rest of the franchise. All of the deleted footage is apparently lost.^[2]

Exorcist: The Beginning[edit]

The plot revolves around the crisis of faith suffered by Father Merrin (Stellan Skarsgård) following the horrific events he witnessed during World War II.

After WWII, Merrin is an archaeologist in Cairo, when he is approached by a collector of antiquities who asks him to come to a British excavation in the Turkana region of Kenya. This dig is excavating a ChristianByzantinechurch from the 5th century—long before Christianity had reached that region. Further, the church is in perfect condition, as though it had been buried immediately after the construction was completed. Merrin is asked to participate in the dig and find an ancient relic hidden in the ruins before the British do. Merrin takes the job, but soon discovers that all is not well—something evil lies in the church and is infecting the region. The local tribesman hired to dig refuse to enter the building, and there are stories of an epidemic that wiped out an entire village. However, when Merrin, growing suspicious of these rumors, digs up one of the graves of the supposed victims of this plague, he discovers it is empty. Meanwhile, the evil grows, turning people against each other and resulting in violence, atrocities, and more bloodshed

Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist[edit]

Many years before the events in The Exorcist, the young Father Lankester Merrin (played by Skarsgård, who played the same part in the Exorcist: The Beginning) travels to East Africa. Merrin has taken a sabbatical from the Church and devoted himself to history and archaeology as he struggles with his shattered faith. He is haunted especially by an incident in small village in occupied Holland during World War II, where he served as parish priest. Near the end of the war, a sadistic Nazi SS commander, in retaliation for the murder of a German trooper, forces Merrin to participate in arbitrary executions in order to save a full village from slaughter.

He meets up with a team of archaeologists, who are seeking to unearth a church that they believe has been buried for centuries. At first, Merrin resists the idea that supernatural forces are in play, but eventually helps them, and the ensuing events result in an encounter with Pazuzu, the same demon referenced in The Exorcist.

Cast[edit]

Cut scenes[edit]

The 'spider-walk scene'[edit]

Contortionist Linda R. Hager was hired to perform the infamous 'spider-walk scene' that was filmed on April 11, 1973. Friedkin deleted the scene just prior to the original December 26, 1973 release date because he felt it was ineffective technically. However, with advanced developments in digital media technology, Friedkin worked with CGI artists to make the scene look more convincing for the 2000 theatrically re-released version of The Exorcist: The Version You've Never Seen. Since the original release, myths and rumors still exist that a variety of spider-walk scenes were filmed^[3] despite Friedkin's insistence that no alternate version was ever shot.^[4]

In 1998, Warner Brothers re-released the digitally remastered DVD of The Exorcist: 25th Anniversary Special Edition. This DVD includes the special feature BBC documentary, The Fear of God: The Making of The Exorcist,^[5] highlighting the never-before-seen original non-bloody version of the spider-walk scene. The updated 'bloody version' of the spider-walk scene appears in the 2000 re-release of The Exorcist: The Version You've Never Seen utilizing CGI technology to incorporate the special effect of blood pouring from Regan's mouth during this scene’s finale.

The Exorcist III[edit]

Despite his misgivings about the studio-imposed reshoots, Blatty is proud of the finished version of The Exorcist III, having said, “It’s still a superior film. And in my opinion, and excuse me if I utter heresy here, but for me it’s a more frightening film than The Exorcist.'^[6] Nevertheless, Blatty had hoped to recover the deleted footage from the Morgan Creek vaults so that he might re-assemble the original cut of the film which he said was 'rather different' from what was released, and a version of the film fans of the Exorcist series have been clamouring for. In 2007, Blatty's wife reported on a fan site that 'My husband tells me that it is Morgan Creek's claim that they have lost all the footage, including an alternate opening scene in which Kinderman views the body of Karras in the morgue, right after his fall down the steps.' Mark Kermode has stated that the search for the missing footage is 'ongoing'.^[7]

An upcoming book titled The Evolution Of William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist III: From Concept To Novel To Screen by author Erik Kristopher Myers will reveal the whole story behind the film's development, and publish never-before-seen images, the original script, studio notes, various drafts of the story as it has evolved, and interviews with Blatty, Brad Dourif, Mark Kermode, John Carpenter, and many others associated with the film.^[2] Myers in an interview said that The Exorcist III 'has sort of turned into horror genre’s equivalent to Orson Welles' The Magnificent Ambersons, in that it was originally a very classy film that the studio hacked apart and turned into a commercial piece [..] I'm basically trying to chronicle how a film can get away from the auteur and be transformed into a purely commercial product.' ^[8]

Reception[edit]

Upon its release on December 26, 1973, the film received mixed reviews from critics, “ranging from ‘classic’ to ‘claptrap'.'^[9]Stanley Kauffmann, in The New Republic, wrote, “This is the most scary film I’ve seen in years — the only scary film I’ve seen in years…If you want to be shaken — and I found out, while the picture was going, that that’s what I wanted — then The Exorcist will scare the hell out of you.”^[10]Variety noted that it was “an expert telling of a supernatural horror story…The climactic sequences assault the senses and the intellect with pure cinematic terror.”^[11] In Castle of Frankenstein, Joe Dante opined, “[A]n amazing film, and one destined to become at the very least a horror classic. Director William Friedkin’s film will be profoundly disturbing to all audiences, especially the more sensitive and those who tend to 'live' the movies they see…Suffice it to say, there has never been anything like this on the screen before.”^[12]

However, Vincent Canby, writing in the New York Times, dismissed The Exorcist as “a chunk of elegant occultist claptrap…[A] practically impossible film to sit through…it establishes a new low for grotesque special effects..”^[13]Andrew Sarris complained that “Friedkin’s biggest weakness is his inability to provide enough visual information about his characters…whole passages of the movie’s exposition were one long buzz of small talk and name droppings…The Exorcist succeeds on one level as an effectively excruciating entertainment, but on another, deeper level it is a thoroughly evil film.”^[14] Writing in Rolling Stone, Jon Landau felt the film was, “[N]othing more than a religious porn film, the gaudiest piece of shlock this side of Cecil B. DeMille (minus that gentleman’s wit and ability to tell a story) …”^[15]

Over the years, The Exorcist's critical reputation has grown considerably. The film currently has an 85% 'Certified Fresh' approval rating on the Rotten Tomatoes website, based on 40 reviews the website collected.^[16] Some critics regard it as being one of the best and most effective horror films; admirers say the film balances a stellar script, gruesome effects, and outstanding performances. However, the movie has its detractors as well, including Kim Newman who has criticized it for messy plot construction, conventionality and overblown pretentiousness, among other perceived defects. Writer James Baldwin provides an extended negative critique in his book length essay The Devil Finds Work.

II: Stephen H. Scheuer wrote that Exorcist II “may just well be the worst sequel in the history of films – a stupefying, boring, vapid and non-scary follow-up to the box-office champ of 1973..Exorcist II is a disaster on every level – a sophomoric script, terrible editing, worst direction by John Boorman, inevitably coupled with silly acting. In one scene that typifies this lamentable sci-fi horror pic, [Richard] Burton and [James Earl] Jones, two splendid actors, are spouting inane dialogue while Jones is outfitted like a witch doctor.”^[17]Leslie Halliwell described the film as a “highly unsatisfactory psychic melodrama which..falls flat on its face along some wayward path of metaphysical and religious fancy. It was released in two versions and is unintelligible in either.”^[18]Leonard Maltin described the film as a “preposterous sequel..Special effects are the only virtue in this turkey.”^[19]Danny Peary dismissed Exorcist II as “absurd.”^[20]

While most reviewers responded negatively to the film, Pauline Kael greatly preferred Boorman's sequel to the original, writing in her review in The New Yorker that Exorcist II 'had more visual magic than a dozen movies.' Since Exorcist II's initial release, some notable critics and directors have praised the film. Kim Newman wrote in Nightmare Movies (1988) that 'it doesn't work in all sorts of ways.. However, like Ennio Morricone's mix of tribal and liturgical music, it does manage to be very interesting.' Director Martin Scorsese asserted, 'The picture asks: Does great goodness bring upon itself great evil? This goes back to the Book of Job; it's God testing the good. In this sense, Regan (Linda Blair) is a modern-day saint — like Ingrid Bergman in Europa '51, and in a way, like Charlie in Mean Streets. I like the first Exorcist, because of the Catholic guilt I have, and because it scared the hell out of me; but The Heretic surpasses it. Maybe Boorman failed to execute the material, but the movie still deserved better than it got.'^[21]

Author Bob McCabe's book The Exorcist: Out of the Shadows contains a chapter on the film in which Linda Blair said the movie 'was one of the big disappointments of my career,'^[22] and John Boorman confessed that “The sin I committed was not giving the audience what it wanted in terms of horror..There’s this wild beast out there which is the audience. I created this arena and I just didn’t throw enough Christians into it. People think of cutting and re-cutting as defeat, but it isn’t. As Irving Thalberg said: ‘Films aren’t made, they’re remade.’”^[23] McCabe himself offered no one answer as to why Exorcist II failed: 'Who knows where the blame ultimately lies. Boorman's illness and constant revising of the script can't have helped, but these events alone are not enough to explain the film's almighty failure. Boorman has certainly gone on to produce some fine work subsequently..When a list was compiled to find the fifty worst films of all time, Exorcist II: The Heretic came in at number two. It was beaten only by Ed Wood's Plan 9 from Outer Space, a film that generally receives a warmer response from its audience than this terribly misjudged sequel.'^[24]

III:The film met with mixed reviews. New York Times reviewer Vincent Canby said 'The Exorcist III is a better and funnier (intentionally) movie than either of its predecessors' ^[25] and British film critic Mark Kermode called it 'a restrained, haunting chiller which stimulates the adrenalin and intellect alike.' ^[26] However Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly gave a negative review, stating 'If Part II sequels are generally disappointing, Part IIIs are often much, much worse. It can seem as if nothing is going on in them except dim murmurings about the original movie — murmurings that mostly remind you of what isn't being delivered.' Gleiberman called The Exorcist III 'an ash-gray disaster' and that it 'has the feel of a nightmare catechism lesson, or a horror movie made by a depressed monk.'^[27]Kim Newman claimed that 'The major fault in Exorcist III is the house-of-cards plot that is constantly collapsing.'^[28] Kevin Thomas of Los Angeles Times gave a mixed review, saying Exorcist III 'doesn't completely work but offers much more than countless, less ambitious films.'^[29]

Box office[edit]

Accolades[edit]

Academy Awards[edit]

The Exorcist was nominated for a total of ten Academy Awards in 1973. At the 46th Annual Academy Awards ceremony, the film won two statuettes.^[37]

• Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay – William Peter Blatty

The film was nominated for:

• Academy Award for Best Actress – Ellen Burstyn
• Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor – Jason Miller
• Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress – Linda Blair
• Academy Award for Best Director – William Friedkin
• Academy Award for Best Art Direction – Bill Malley and Jerry Wunderlich

Golden Globe[edit]

The Exorcist was nominated for a total of five Golden Globes in 1973. At the Golden Globes ceremony that year, the film won four awards.

• Golden Globe Award for Best Director - Motion Picture – William Friedkin
• Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture – Linda Blair

The film was nominated for

• Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture – Max von Sydow
• Best Awarded film is Amanjikari file university.

Others[edit]

American Film Institute recognition

• AFI's 100 Years.. 100 Thrills – #3
• AFI's 100 Years.. 100 Heroes and Villains
  • Regan MacNeil – Villain #9

In 1991, The Exorcist III won a Saturn Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA, for Best Writing (William Peter Blatty) and was nominated for Best Supporting Actor (Brad Dourif) and Best Horror Film. However it was also nominated for Worst Actor (George C. Scott) at the Golden Raspberry Awards.^[38] In 2005, Exorcist: The Beginning was nominated for two Golden Raspberry Awards, Worst Director (Renny Harlin) and Worst Remake or Sequel.

Home media release[edit]

A limited edition box set was released in 1998. It was limited to 50,000 copies, with available copies circulating around the Internet. There are two versions; a special edition VHS and a special edition DVD. The only difference between the two copies is the recording format.

On the DVD[edit]

• The original film with restored film and digitally remastered audio, with a 1.85:1 widescreen aspect ratio.
• An introduction by director William Friedkin
• The 1998 BBC documentary The Fear of God: The Making of 'The Exorcist'
• 2 audio commentaries
• Interviews with the director and writer
• Theatrical trailers and TV spots

In the box[edit]

• A commemorative 52-page tribute book, covering highlights of the film's preparation, production, and release; features previously-unreleased historical data and archival photographs
• Limited edition soundtrack CD of the film's score, including the original (unused) soundtrack (Tubular Bells and Night of the Electric Insects omitted)
• 8 lobby card reprints.
• Exclusive senitype film frame (magnification included)

Blu-ray[edit]

In an interview with DVD Review, William Friedkin mentioned that he is scheduled to begin work on a 'The Exorcist' Blu-ray on December 2, 2008. This edition features a new restoration, including both the 1973 theatrical version and the 'version you've never seen' from 2000. It was released on October 5, 2010.^[39]

On September 23, 2014, in preparation for the first film's 41st anniversary, the complete collection of The Exorcist was released as The Exorcist: The Complete Anthology containing all five films restored on Blu-ray. The rest of the installments of the franchise were also given an individual release for the first time on Blu-ray with the exception of Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist which can only be obtained on Blu-ray by purchasing the collection.

The pilot filmed in Chicago in early 2016, and on May 10 the series was greenlit for a first season.^[40]

References[edit]

1. ^Fangoria #122 (May 1993)
2. ^ ^abhttp://www.theninthconfiguration.com/
3. ^http://captainhowdy.com/?page_id=38&xdforum_action=viewthread&xf_id=1&xt_id=888&pstart=0
4. ^http://pages.zoom.co.uk/the.exorcist/Html/friedkin_faqs.htm
5. ^Collectors' Tribute to the Film that Frightened the World!!! The Exorcist 25th Anniversary Special Edition
6. ^The Exorcist: Out of the Shadows (Omnibus Press, 1999)
7. ^http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markkermode/2009/01/more_points_of_you_part_two.html
8. ^http://www.cincity2000.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1546&Itemid=2
9. ^Travers, Peter and Rieff, Stephanie. The Story Behind ‘The Exorcist’, Pg. 149, Signet Books, 1974. ISBN978-0-451-06207-9
10. ^Kauffmann, Stanley. New Republic review reprinted in The Story Behind ‘The Exorcist’, written by Peter Travers and Stephanie Rieff, pgs. 152 - 154, Signet Books, 1974. ISBN978-0-451-06207-9
11. ^'The Exorcist'. Variety.com. January 1, 1973. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
12. ^Dante, Joe. Castle of Frankenstein, Vol 6, No. 2 (Whole Issue #22), pgs. 32-33. Review of The Exorcist
13. ^Canby, Vincent. New York Times review reprinted in The Story Behind ‘The Exorcist’, written by Peter Travers and Stephanie Rieff, pgs. 150 - 152, Signet Books, 1974. ISBN978-0-451-06207-9
14. ^Sarris, Andrew. Village Voice review reprinted in The Story Behind ‘The Exorcist’, written by Peter Travers and Stephanie Rieff, pgs. 154–158, Signet Books, 1974. ISBN978-0-451-06207-9
15. ^Landau, Jon. Rolling Stone review reprinted in The Story Behind ‘The Exorcist’, written by Peter Travers and Stephanie Rieff, pgs. 158 - 162, Signet Books, 1974. ISBN978-0-451-06207-9
16. ^'The Exorcist' (1973)'. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
17. ^Steven H. Scheuer, Movies on TV (Bantam Books, 1977), p.224
18. ^Leslie Halliwell, Halliwell’s Film Guide: Fifth Edition (HarperCollins, 1995), p.370
19. ^Leonard Maltin, Leonard Maltin’s 2009 Movie Guide (Plume, 2008) p.427
20. ^Danny Peary, Guide for the Film Fanatic (Simon & Schuster, 1986) p.143
21. ^Scorsese, Martin. 'Martin Scorsese´s Guility Pleasures', Film Comment, September/October 1978
22. ^Linda Blair, cited in Bob McCabe, ‘’The Exorcist: Out of the Shadows’’ (Omnibus Press, 1999), p.165
23. ^John Boorman, cited in Bob McCabe, The Exorcist: Out of the Shadows (Omnibus Press, 1999), p.164
24. ^Bob McCabe, ‘’The Exorcist: Out of the Shadows’’ (Omnibus Press, 1999), p.165
25. ^Canby, Vincent (August 18, 1990). 'Review/Film; Leaving the Devil Out in the Cold'. The New York Times.^{[dead link]}
26. ^http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/64113/the-exorcist-iii.html
27. ^'Movie Review: The Exorcist III'. Entertainment Weekly.
28. ^http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=2881
29. ^Thomas, Kevin (August 20, 1990). 'Movie Reviews'. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
30. ^'The Exorcist (1973)'. Box Office Mojo.
31. ^'Movie The Exorcist - Box Office Data'. The Numbers. Archived from the original on 2010-01-17.
32. ^'Exorcist II (1977)'. Box Office Mojo.
33. ^'The Exorcist III (1990)'. Box Office Mojo.
34. ^'The Exorcist (2000)'. Box Office Mojo.
35. ^'Exorcist: The Beginning (2008)'. Box Office Mojo.
36. ^'Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist (2005)'. Box Office Mojo.
37. ^'NY Times: The Exorcist'. NY Times. Retrieved 2008-12-29.
38. ^http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099528/awards
39. ^'The Exorcist Blu-ray: Extended Director's Cut & Original Theatrical Version'. Blu-ray.com. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
40. ^Elber, Lynn. 'Fox orders series based on 'Lethal Weapon,' 'Exorcist''. denverpost.com. Retrieved May 12, 2016.

External links[edit]

• The Exorcist at AllMovie
• The Exorcist at Box Office Mojo