CaptainHowdy.com The #1 Exorcist Fansite Since 1999
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30% of Possesed: the true story of an exorcism… 80% of the novel. I may be completely off and change my mind later.
I don’t believe in “the real thing” except theoretically. If a case, after stringent analysis, indicates a truly supernatural ivasion by a discarnate malevolent spirit, I’d look into it. But in all my admittedly limited reading I have never come across anything faintly resembling “the real thing”.
Blatty’s genius was to indicate, mostly thru Regan’s possessed dialogue, a supernatural being. He took the most sensational aspects of possession cases, fitted them onto the Regan character… then gave the demon lines that indicated a personality so different from Regan’s that the reader is strongly propelled to consider demonic possession a reality.
That this has not occurred in a single case of possession is suggestive that, to date, there is proof of the supernatural in any reported case of possession. A peculiar mental illness that goes by the name “possession”? Sure. Occasional paranormal events during said “possession”? Okay. A truly supernatural, superhuman, preternaturally intelligent, fallen angelic possessing entity? Zero evidence for that – at least, thus far – although, as I mentioned, I’m willing to accept persuasive evidence to the contrary.
Correction – should read:
That this has not occurred in a single case is suggestive that, to date, there is NO proff of the supernatural…
Sorry.
I think I missed that mistake anyway. 😉 I haven’t as much “Scientist” in me as you, I believe. I go with my intuition/gut and what seems logical. I’m often very sympathetic with those who experience the “Paranormal”. Therefore, perhaps I’m a bit lapse in the need for pure evidence department. Aside from that, I just gotta say, I enjoy having these kinds of discussions with you guys. It’s so fascinating to hear everyone’s ideas about this stuff.
Now after all you have seen, read, and discussed… how much of the Exorcist (film and novel) do you believe resembles “the real thing”?
Good to hear from you, Blizzi.
magus – yes, both novel and film terrified me, but especially tne novel, cuz I was raised in the Catholic church, and I could tell after reading the first twenty or so pages that Blatty knew his Catholic stuff – he was obviously writing as an insider. And the stuff he wrote about resonated with the Catholic world as I experienced it, from his descriptions of priests, to the theological issues, to the humor, etc., there was a colossal documentary “feel” that was utterly convincing.
His descriptions of the initial poltergeist activity on thru the ultimate stages of possession were absolutely shocking and dread-inspiring.
The movie, somewhat less so. I wish Regan had been red-headed and slender, as in the book. Blair was fantastic in the part, but she didn’t look much like Regan as I had imagined her. Her apple-cheeked round face was not able to suggest the extreme emaciation that the book describes. Also, her voice was not the “booming deep male bass” as portrayed in the novel – granted, when Merrin arrives toward the end of the film, we finally hear a montrously loud voice (“MMMMEEEERRRRRIIIINNNN!”), but before that, the demonic voice was too feminine. Sly and nasty, yes, but not the “basso profundo” that would have suggested a powerful “male” demon. As when the nightstand drawer opens by itself and Karras asks, “Did you do that?” – the “demon” answers, “Un-huhhhh” in a way that’s always struck me as just too cutesy-coy.
Also I think the film had some misplaced dialogue. In the novel, Karl asks – in context – if “she (Regan) is going to be well?” In the film this line has been transposed to the stairs scene when Chris is asking where the crucifix came from. As a reply to Chris’s query, “She is going to be well?” is weak at best, and incongruous at worse. Same for the line, again spoken by Karl, “It wants no straps”, which is incongruous for the reason that the audience does not yet know that Regan has been strapped to the bed for her own safety. People I’ve watched with are baffled by the line and they keep asking, “What did he say?”
But those are relatively trivial complaints. The film remains one of my all-time favorites.
What leaves me feeling uneasy about that line is that Karl says, “IT wants no staps” not “SHE wants no straps”!
Think about it… (enter sinister laughter)
Spooks me… I saw this movie too young. It upset me… It was too possible. I had always been drawn to the supernatural. I can’t remember if I owned my Ouija before I saw the film or after, but after seeing this, I’ve always been a little afraid of it. Whether it is powered by my unconscious or an outside force, I take it seriously. I never use it “just for fun”. Never have, never will. Either way, it’s a spiritual tool. It’s the closest I’ve ever been to screaming during a movie. When her head goes allll the way around, and that smile… The book scared me. Not such a great move reading it before bed tho. Her chasing Sharon creeped me out. I had trouble sleeping that night, I’ll tell you! I was awed by the book. The movie (I’ve only had the opportunity to see TVYNS) was cut to the Devil, cut to screaming, cut to horror and hopelessness. The end shocked my spiratuality awake. “Pay attention, you dip! This means something!” Not just a horror flick. It means something. I read the book after the movie and it changed my life. I realized that I want to write. Good or bad, it’s what I’m here for. Thank you Jason and Bill.
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