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The shot I like the best is the one where Regan spins her head around and you can see her breath as she breaths. Immediately after she does this, Karras says “Amen”. Its hard to explain actually but its perfect timing.
I have too many to mention. However, immediately I think of the levitation scene. It was indeed genuinely new in to a 1973 cinematic experience (and copied too many times in other films from then on).
I especially enjoy the very beginning of this scene when the straps tear away on there own and Regan’s eyes are completely white.
For me, this is a great transitional period in the film when the demon begins to succumb to the exorcism ritual.
FB
I agree with the head spinning/amen part, but I think mine is when the bed starts to hover and the expression on Father Karras’ face is priceless.
I love the part where Karras loses it after the demon taunts him as his mother…when he cries and his look of shame to Father Merrin….that scene just kills me every time.
Also, in reference to the poster who said that Merrin was choking….I believe he was actually gagging…..the demon either passes gas or has diarrhea…that is why she is cackling…and I believe it is straight from the book.“Also, in reference to the poster who said that Merrin was choking….I believe he was actually gagging…..the demon either passes gas or has diarrhea…that is why she is cackling…and I believe it is straight from the book.”
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FB
Still lost on the “poster” bit.
However, Merrin’s gagging is exactly as you describe it from the book. The smell would be the same as that when Regan was hypnotized and everyone in Chris’ bedroom was gagging and covering their noses and mouths.
More: Smells – Often in the presence of a demon possessed individual the surrounding air will become so horribly smelling that folks will get sick, the smell has been described as the smell of cancer or death, or even sulphur.
FB
“Happy Halloween” to all of my fellow “Exorcist” fanatics! Now that we’ve all shared what our favorite parts of the film are, what is your favorite part during the exorcism scene? Mine would have to be when Father Merrin seems to be losing his composure and starts to choke–with the curtains blowing and everything else is flying around. And just as we think the old guy has had enough of the Regan demon–he yells, “I cast you out!!!Unclean Spirit!”
Ok. Yep. I believe Merrin's reaction is based on his physical health and it's nothing more than choking. I'm guessing at this because we hear Regan's demonic laughter and then a closeup shot of Regan's face. We already know that Merrin is in terrible shape based due to his age (mentioned in the film earlier). Plus, we see Merrin taking a dose of nitroglycerin under his tongue. The demon is getting to Merrin by tearing him down physically. [Of course, farting sounds would send everyone into hysterics!]
Father Bowdern
For whatever reason (I can not explain) I've always been enthralled by the moment when Merrin reaches forward to signal the Holy Cross in the air with his hands, and Regan/Pazuzu backs down slightly, seemingly petrified.
Yes, Cap, I also like that part … so smart on Friedkin’s vision of evil afraid of good.
Father Bowdern
Wow, I am really late for the party on these posts.
I’d say immediately after the head-turning scene and Karras’ Amen, the extreme close-up shot of Regan looking directly at the viewer, with the demon’s half-superimposed face seemingly yelling “Nooo.”
I still can’t stand it when the skin on Regan’s leg splits open while she’s levitating, that disgusts me every time.Separate viewing experiences: my wife, my cousin, and an audience member when I saw TVYNS in the theater in 2000, they all flinched in shock and loudly went “Ah!!” when Regan rises up behind Karras and gives him a two-fisted thump on the back, knocking him over. I still get a kick out of that!
Love that skin ripping away from Regan’s calf. If you have the film on DVD, watch as the flesh is pulled away from top to bottom and flies off the screen.
Father Bowdern
My favorite part of the exorcism scene would have to be when possessed Regan spits at Merrin and it hits his face. The way he wipes it off is just so nonchalant (I think in the book it describes it as ‘unhurriedly’). Kind of like, “Oh, is this all you’ve got? Well, whatever.” Every time I see that scene, I want to scream, “Ahh! Get that filth off of your face!!” But he’s just so calm…it’s very eerie.
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