[Jason Stringer]

Hello all,

 

Who is Regan posessed by? I know she was playing with the Quia (sp?) board. And she mentions Captain Howdy, but I'm pretty sure it's Pazuzu. Is this right?

[fatherbowdern]

Amanda,

Regan is possessed by the demon Pazuzu. “In Assyrian and Babylonian mythology, Pazuzu (sometimes Fazuzu or Pazuza) was the king of the demons of the wind, and son of the god Hanbi. He also represented the southwestern wind, the bearer of storms and drought (Wikipedia).”

At times during the film, it can be confusing about who is inside of Regan due to the various voices used. For instance, differing singular or multiple vocal entities emanate from Regan at various times. These are merely a part of the intentional mental illusions that Pazuzu exploits onto his victims in order to reach his ultimate goal of the grand showdown with Father Merrin in the film’s final exorcism scenes.

This is the very same demon in the initial scenes in Iraq when Merrin uncovers the small amulet head of Pazuzu, thus, opening something akin to Pandora’s Box. We see this same demon a few minutes later when Merrin is facing the large statue of Pazuzu at the archeological dig site. That scene is a crucial point because Pazuzu lost the battle against Merrin’s exorcism that lasted for months in Iraq. Pazuzu merely uses Regan as his instrument to find a way to even the score with Merrin.

I hope that helps.

Father Bowdern

[Ttubretep]

Ttubretep said:

Father Bowdern said:

Amanda,

Regan is possessed by the demon Pazuzu. “In Assyrian and Babylonian mythology, Pazuzu (sometimes Fazuzu or Pazuza) was the king of the demons of the wind, and son of the god Hanbi. He also represented the southwestern wind, the bearer of storms and drought (Wikipedia).”

At times during the film, it can be confusing about who is inside of Regan due to the various voices used. For instance, differing singular or multiple vocal entities emanate from Regan at various times. These are merely a part of the intentional mental illusions that Pazuzu exploits onto his victims in order to reach his ultimate goal of the grand showdown with Father Merrin in the film’s final exorcism scenes.

This is the very same demon in the initial scenes in Iraq when Merrin uncovers the small amulet head of Pazuzu, thus, opening something akin to Pandora’s Box. We see this same demon a few minutes later when Merrin is facing the large statue of Pazuzu at the archeological dig site. That scene is a crucial point because Pazuzu lost the battle against Merrin’s exorcism that lasted for months in Iraq. Pazuzu merely uses Regan as his instrument to find a way to even the score with Merrin.

I hope that helps.

Father Bowdern

---

---

Has Blatty or even Friedkin gone on record about this?  I always thought that the use of the Pazuzu imagery was meant more symbolically, as an omen of a conflict with an ancient evil.  To have Pazuzu be THE demon in question would be kind of heavy-handed, to me.

[fatherbowdern]

Hi peterbutT <<< I see what your name means in reverse, I believe you are looking in the direction of a living, breathing physical creature. That is not the case for this novel or all five films in this series, all of which relies on the demon Pazuzu as the villain. I was actually addressing Amanda about the moniker and singling out this source, Pazuzu. Often, people who view the film the first time around think there are multiple spiritual entities or, in most instances, believe it is the devil himself inside of Regan (as suggested by Pazuzu to Father Karras in their initial meeting). As far as Blatty or Friedkin going on record, it really does not matter. Based on the content of both the novel and films, it is what it is. Of course, you can always do some research and report back to us. 

Father Bowdern

[Jagged]

I'm not sure about Friedkin but Blatty is definitely on record as saying it is “the entity known as Pazuzu” hence the statue and amulet. But check the wording of that quote from Blatty.

Consequently, Pazuzu to the Babylonians maybe, but who knows what name or face it shows to other cultures.

[Jason Stringer]

Thank you father,

I have another question, do any of you see any undertones of Regan being sexually abused? I mentioned this to my mother who saw the movies in theaters when it first came out, and she said “No” But I see that she uses the same language as Burke (He said something to the butler like “You cunting hun”) And while Regan is possessed she says “Do you see what your cunting daughter did?” Also a lot of the things she does during the intense scenes is very sexual in nature, so this allows me to believe that he in some way he abused her sexually when Regan's mom left the two of them alone in the house. Or could this just be because Pazuzu is making her use vulgar language?

[fatherbowdern]

Jagged said:

I'm not sure about Friedkin but Blatty is definitely on record as saying it is “the entity known as Pazuzu” hence the statue and amulet. But check the wording of that quote from Blatty.

Consequently, Pazuzu to the Babylonians maybe, but who knows what name or face it shows to other cultures.

---

Last sentence, Jagged. Huh?

Father Bowdern

[Ttubretep]

Father Bowdern said:

Hi peterbutT <<< I see what your name means in reverse,

I believe you are looking in the direction of a living, breathing physical creature. That is not the case for this novel or all five films in this series, all of which relies on the demon Pazuzu as the villain. I was actually addressing Amanda about the moniker and singling out this source, Pazuzu. Often, people who view the film the first time around think there are multiple spiritual entities or, in most instances, believe it is the devil himself inside of Regan (as suggested by Pazuzu to Father Karras in their initial meeting).

As far as Blatty or Friedkin going on record, it really does not matter. Based on the content of both the novel and films, it is what it is. Of course, you can always do some research and report back to us. 

Father Bowdern

---

Father Bowdern said:

Hi peterbutT <<< I see what your name means in reverse, I believe you are looking in the direction of a living, breathing physical creature. That is not the case for this novel or all five films in this series, all of which relies on the demon Pazuzu as the villain. I was actually addressing Amanda about the moniker and singling out this source, Pazuzu. Often, people who view the film the first time around think there are multiple spiritual entities or, in most instances, believe it is the devil himself inside of Regan (as suggested by Pazuzu to Father Karras in their initial meeting). As far as Blatty or Friedkin going on record, it really does not matter. Based on the content of both the novel and films, it is what it is. Of course, you can always do some research and report back to us. 

Father Bowdern

---

I wasn't thinking so much of a living, breathing, creature.  I merely thought that the use of the Pazuzu imagery was meant to be more abstract -  an ill omen in the Iraq sequence, and a recurring symbol of ancient evil throughout the film;  as opposed to being a direct calling card as to the identity of the demon.  But if Blatty has more or less said, “It's Pazuzu that's possessing Regan,” then I guess that's that!

[fatherbowdern]

Amanda Autopsy said:

Thank you father,

I have another question, do any of you see any undertones of Regan being sexually abused? I mentioned this to my mother who saw the movies in theaters when it first came out, and she said “No” But I see that she uses the same language as Burke (He said something to the butler like “You cunting hun”) And while Regan is possessed she says “Do you see what your cunting daughter did?” Also a lot of the things she does during the intense scenes is very sexual in nature, so this allows me to believe that he in some way he abused her sexually when Regan's mom left the two of them alone in the house. Or could this just be because Pazuzu is making her use vulgar language?

---

 
You're welcome, Amanda.

To address your next question (above), I can speak from the film's perspective that Burke has no sexual interest in Regan. There is nothing to support that in the film. While Regan uses the vulgar language during her physical exam with Dr. Klein, this could be pinpointed to either Chris or Burke. However, you'll notice the quick flash of Pazuzu that Regan sees while lying on the examination table. That's the real indication that it is the demon speaking through Regan and nothing more. (IMO, it's one of the worst scenes to add back into the original.)

Going forward, the notorious masturbation scene does include the voice of Burke. The answer about Burke's identity coming forward relates to my original response: “At times during the film, it can be confusing about who is inside of Regan due to the various voices used. For instance, differing singular or multiple vocal entities emanate from Regan at various times. These are merely a part of the intentional mental illusions that Pazuzu exploits onto his victims in order to reach his ultimate goal of the grand showdown with Father Merrin in the film’s final exorcism scenes.”

Sexual abuse? Always listen to your mother.

Father Bowdern

[Steve Dunlap]

Another thought, in response to the OP.

Yes, Regan mentions Captain Howdy, but I believe this is Pazuzu's means of opening her up to possession.

 

Something I love about this movie  is the openness to interpretation is has, so here's my interpretation:

Regan discovered the Ouija board at some point before the Ouija scene with Chris.  Regan finds she's quite adept at using the board.  This is Pazuzu toying with Regan, tempting her to further use the board.   The demon then assumes the name of Captain Howdy, a name that would likely amuse and intrigue an innocent twelve year old girl.  (Similar to Howdy Doody, the puppet on the children's tv show from the 50s).  The demon plays a couple of seemingly innocent games with Regan, continually opening that window for the demon to take her over. 

 

During the hypnosis scene with Regan and the psychiatrist, the psychiatrist asks Regan:

“Is there someone inside you, Regan?”

“Yessss.”

“Is it Captain Howdy?”

“I don't know.”

 

So Pazuzu definitely pulled the wool over the young girl's eyes by using the guise of innocence and child play to get to her.

Again, just personal thoughts. 🙂

[fatherbowdern]

Good thoughts, Steve. I think they are on target based on the book and the film from varying aspects.

Father Bowdern

[Steve Dunlap]

Most kind, Father, thank you. 🙂

[Toetag]

I have to disagree with this.  The name Pazuzu doesn't appear until the sequels, which are abominations, in my opinion.  Pazuzu was conjured by the people that made those movies, not by Blatty or Freidkin, and is therefore untrue.  The entity that is possessing Regan in the first movie (and the only one that really matters) is Satan himself.

 

This idea is dismissed by most people and even Karras when he says, “It said he was the Devil himself.  That's the same as saying that you're Jesus Christ.”, but Karras is also sceptical that Regan is possessed at all and look how that turned out.  Also the statue in Iraq may be of a specific demon, however, it stood as symbolism of good versus evil, not Merrin VS. Pazuzu.  They only told us about his past exploits just to beef up his character a bit because he has very little screen time until the end.

 

Father Bowdern said:

Amanda,

Regan is possessed by the demon Pazuzu. “In Assyrian and Babylonian mythology, Pazuzu (sometimes Fazuzu or Pazuza) was the king of the demons of the wind, and son of the god Hanbi. He also represented the southwestern wind, the bearer of storms and drought (Wikipedia).”

At times during the film, it can be confusing about who is inside of Regan due to the various voices used. For instance, differing singular or multiple vocal entities emanate from Regan at various times. These are merely a part of the intentional mental illusions that Pazuzu exploits onto his victims in order to reach his ultimate goal of the grand showdown with Father Merrin in the film’s final exorcism scenes.

This is the very same demon in the initial scenes in Iraq when Merrin uncovers the small amulet head of Pazuzu, thus, opening something akin to Pandora’s Box. We see this same demon a few minutes later when Merrin is facing the large statue of Pazuzu at the archeological dig site. That scene is a crucial point because Pazuzu lost the battle against Merrin’s exorcism that lasted for months in Iraq. Pazuzu merely uses Regan as his instrument to find a way to even the score with Merrin.

I hope that helps.

Father Bowdern

---

[fatherbowdern]

My, my, toetag. Such a fine forensic analysis for things which you have no clue. It's not even necessary to go into details about the issues you have wrong. Perhaps the lithium has not quite built up an effective quality in your system yet. My best to you and your other asylum inmates. 

Father Bowdern

[carlamae]

My gos. I know in other religions/mythes Pazuzu was also a protector of something earthly, but i forgot what. It was actually a 'good' demon, And it wasnt a demon in the way we think of demons doin just bad things. It was kinda like you mother firbidding you certain things were you would hate her for in the beginning. but love her for when you got older and more wise. I remembered this always struck me as this knowledge puts regan in a whole other perspective. As we all like to think of her as the 'good' beeing grounded by 'evil' (*btw im  waiting for the euro blueray release b4 i get back on this forum, To save me from beeing 'spoiled'. I bet you talk about all there is to see on the new blue ray) I will look for the link on my pazuzu knowledge. Bottom line: Country/region in the world and religion decide what part pazuzu has in tellings. This touches a nerve of the bible cos the bible has been rewritten and personas have been given different meanings. I know its just a movie. But the ground for this movie can all be found in human factual culture. Ill go look for it again.

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