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The Exorcist (1973) Director's Cut watch along
🕑 Added 2024-10-12 18:00:09 +0000 UTCDisclaimer: The Exorcist (1973) contains intense horror elements, disturbing imagery and strong language. An FYI if this isn't your jam. xx.
I can totally see why The Exorcist is known as 'the scariest movie ever made.' It’s haunting in a way that really digs into your psyche. The heavy emotion, the slow, methodical cinematography, and that chilling score keep the tension high and leave a visceral impact.
What truly sells this movie are the performances, especially Ellen Burstyn. She’s phenomenal—a mother at the end of her rope, desperate to save her child. You can feel every ounce of her pain and love for Regan in every scene. It's so rich and raw, that you believe her completely. Linda Blair was also exceptional. I can’t imagine how intense this movie must have been to film at such a young age. I noticed some CGI updates, which were done tastefully (though, I have to say, the vomit could’ve been a bit runnier for my taste). The special effects makeup was disturbing in the best way—it stays with you. There’s so much I could say about the disturbing nature of this film, it’s honestly hard to process it all—like I’ve already blocked parts out. LOL.
This was my first William Friedkin film, and I’m blown away by the artistry. The slow pacing, the way he framed those wide and long shots, and how he pushed in on the action—it was all so deliberate and added to the tension. You could feel the creepiness of the house and the characters’ emotions build, making you dread what was coming next.
The possession scenes? Absolutely burned into my brain. The actions and vulgarities were sickening, but essential to making it all believable. Looking back, everything felt so intentionally done. Sure, I might find a few things to nitpick while editing for YouTube, but overall, this is an exceptional film. I can only imagine how shocking it must’ve been for audiences in 1973. I’ve seen those original reaction videos outside the theatres—people were terrified, especially women, likely because they connected with Regan as a young girl.
This really scratched my itch for something scary and supernatural. I loved it! Let me know your thoughts below—I can’t wait to hear your first-time experiences and insights!
Thanks for being here, love your GUTS!
xx
ames
Comments
Neil Gross
I watched this movie in theaters. It was only in theaters. Before YouTube and smartphones existed. People exiting the theaters looked shell shocked like they had just witnessed a murder/suicide. Watching it in a FULL theater was an emotional train-wreck. Every showing was sold out. We waited over two hours to get into the theater and every seat was taken. A blockbuster horror film. None had seen anything like this. Couldn’t look at a bowl of split pea soup the same way ever again. Tubular Bells soundtrack added to the suspense.
JM63
Hope you're feeling better after your treatment 👍
Clay F
That's good to know. Last week, I bought The Extended Director's Cut at US Amazon Prime Video.
Samuraibry1
Can't do it folks, sorry. I know it's all fiction but there are some very disturbing things in and around this film that, as a Christian I can't watch; and I'm not normally sensitive to religions iconography in a horror/thriller setting but there really is something demonic about "Poltergeist' that doe don';t sit well with me
Bill Maurer
“Ben-Hur” and “The Exorcist “ all within a month of each other? That should be some sort of re-action record.
Clay F
I liked watching the movie along with you. Good reaction. The movie was a big deal and part of our culture. Agree that Ellen Burstyn is awesome. Linda Blair did well. Lee. J. Cobb will always be that guy in 12 Angry Men (1957) to me. The movie did well with an authentic/genuine feel. Yet, when I watched the movie as a teenager in the 1970s, didn't really scare me because I didn't believe it.
Samuraibry1
Truly one of the most disturbing films I've seen; true psychological horror film as opposed to all the 'Gore Porn' that passes for entertainment now a days! Great pick not 'psyched' to re watch it but I have an adult beverage in hand and here we go, 3,2,1, PLAY1
RFK Fan
Agreed Catcher! The 70s and 30’s really were the golden era of films. The big 5 of 70s directors who left their mark in my opinion (besides the usual giants of Coppola, Scorsese and Spielberg) were Pakula, Lumet, Friedkin, Bogdanovich and Altman.
RFK Fan
I was 8 when this came out and only knew about it via the neighborhood teenagers talking about. Their description was so horrifying that merely mentioning the word EXORCIST terrified us. Thank GOD my neighbors never smuggled me into the theatre to see it I would have been traumatized for life. That said? A masterful effort by Friedkin. This film will continue to horrify audiences for generations…
ded cowbowee
Hi Ames, really enjoyed watching this with you! I was 9 or so when this came out and my 16yo brother and 17yo uncle sneaked me into the Van Nuys Drive-In to see it because they loved to scare me, lol. It was really disappointing for them because I didn't "freak out", lol. It was a little beyond my comprehension to be honest so I just sort of mocked it. Over the years I've watched it probably at least ten times and I become a bigger fan of it every time. Lee J. Cobb (Juror#whatever😆) was just great and I'm glad you saw him shine in two of the best films ever made, and that you actually acknowledged his performance in both.👍Linda Blair gave a performance that will probably never be surpassed by anyone that young and Ellen Burstyn was stellar. Thanks for an amazing reaction and a cool evening!😋
Catchermag
Just finished the watchalong. As usual, thank you Ames. The gritty realism of 1970’s mainstream filmmaking is a huge factor in this movies longevity. It benefits from the shock value that became the norm. The 1970’s is, from my viewpoint, the best decade of film, ushered in by films like Midnight Cowboy to The Wild Bunch in the late 1960’s. I love the glossiness of films prior to and after the 1970’s, but this decade was filled with artisans who grew up watching films……really for the first time ever. It was the 1930’s and 1940’s that movies became the main entertainment method. Finally the children raised on them were the filmmakers. Friedkin, Scorsese, Coppola, Spielberg, Romero, Lucas. The fans are in charge and we were the beneficiaries.
Reggie
FYI - There is an option to buy the director's cut of this movie at VUDU.com.
Frankie H
My dad went to college where this was filmed in Washington DC, and he would always point out places that were in the movie. Multiple times he pointed out the steps from the end of the movie where the guy sacrifices himself. At the end I was like, "Those are the steps!!!"
