[fatherbowdern]

Welcome PF! Take a quick tour around this site and read some of the Discussion Forums. We have some serious fans here and it fun to talk film, to critique, to discuss.

[Witch of Endor]

HI PT. I think that its various aspects of the film that make it so compelling. One of course being the fact that its one of the few films that does not shy away from the taboo. It dives head on into shocking religious topics and shows sexual images which, I kid you not, some people in the United States are in prison for less disturbing pornography! I think its the film’s bold ability to fight these taboos that makes the unbelievable seem so believable and is the whole key to what makes it so scary.

Another piece of the recipe of a good horror film that the Exorcist does well is it doesn’t reveal all its secrets. Nothing is scarier than a horror film that leaves one wondering what happened at the end and the Exorcist does this very well.

[Possessed_Fairy]

Thanks Fatherbowdern, I’ve started to look more in the discussion threads and there is some really interesting stuff!

Thanks also Witch, some thoughtful points- particularly in retrospect to the thought of the taboo within films. I definitely agree with you on the fact that films can be scarier with an open ending; nothing is more scary than your own imagination!

[etrigan69]

First of all this movie scared the crap out of me when I was 12 (When it was originally released. *Wheeze*)but upon further examination it is so much deeper. Especially when you read the book. It just gives this film so many dimensions.

[fatherbowdern]

Yikes, etrigan, we are of the same genre! I think if it scared you as much as it did me, we had some kind of understanding beyond our 12-year-old age range. I’m not saying we’re extremely smart, I’m saying we are (*&ing brilliant! 😉

[kokumo]

I became a fan of the film after reading the book which was every bit a sensational & provocative ‘event’ as seeing the movie. I didn’t know anyone who hadn’t read “The Exorcist” when the paperback hit & remember many conversations with friends & family who were blown away by the material. Most of all, I recall the doubt felt that the book could translate well to a film given the subject matter which turned out to be unjustified. As for fansites, it’s a wonderous opportunity for me to babble relentlessly. Like now.

[fatherbowdern]

I’m with you, kokumo!

[drexul]

Im with Etrigan69- everytime I read the book or watch the film, I seem to notice some new layer. Another thing that fascinates me abou the film is what a “perfect storm” (for lack of a better term) it is…the film that exsists today could never be made at any other time…it has a tone that speaks of the time it was filmed…a dread that a lot of the films of the 70s seem to have. That coupled with the perfect director, perfect cast, perfect writing…

[Witch of Endor]

Hi Drexul. As someone that didn’t experience the ’70’s can you tell me what sort of thing influenced this “dread”? Vietnam? Changes in Catholicism? The cancellation of the original Star Trek?

[Possessed_Fairy]

Hi Guys, I’m new on here but am a very big fan of The Exorcist, right back from a young age when I saw it far too young and it scared me senseless!

I’m doing a study into film fans, particularly of ones which have gained ‘cult’ status such as The Exorcist and so was just wondering if any of you would be able to tell me why you became a fan of this film? As well as how using online fansites such as this one has helped your enjoyment of the film?

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated from one intrigued fan to you others!

[fatherbowdern]

It’s always interesting to read the interpretations of both the book and film by each individual … just as both Blatty and Friedkin intended.

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