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Thanks again Granville for the insight. There's still the possibility of what I mentioned in the first post, only that Blatty had nothing directly to do with it. Of course, also, just because something isn't thematic within the content of a story, doesn't mean it necessarily can't be implied, or hinted at. Subliminal messages/images, etc. In addition, there *is* the theme of Satanism in the book, as well as in the original Exorcist novel. So the idea of a Dark priest holding a dagger to that effect isn't completely outside the realm of plausibility. As for an allusion to the infiltration of the church, I only suspected so because it followed right after Kinderman's meeting with an authoritative priest. Overall, it's quite an ominous story. Adding to the subtext in such a way could only heighten the suspense and dread, conspiratorial overtones notwithstanding. 

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Thanks Granville! 

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With today's Hollywood climate of shallow characters played by shallow actors and overblown special effects, it probably wouldn't be a good idea with this genre of serious spiritual and existential drama. Our culture has become too decadent and depraved where most horror afficionados would most likely be rooting for the demon against the priests. 

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That's the best one I've ever seen, but they always make the hair too dark. Linda Blair's hair is a light brown. 

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Father Bowdern said:

 “Mary Jo's primary role was the introduction of the Ouija Board. This is the one that Regan stumbles upon in the basement closet. However, Mary Jo's part is more mysterious in the novel, adding yet another layer to what Regan's “condition” might be attributed to (Ouija Board and a book on witchcraft).”

 

Seems her role was too important to keep unmentioned in the film. I always thought (even when I was a kid) that extra scenes of Regan playing with the Ouija board would have been not only appropriate, but necessary to the narrative in the movie. It's one of my few, yet longstanding gripes with the film. 

 

“Incidentally”, how did the Ouija board end up in the downstairs closet? Chris MacNeil didn't know it was in there, and Regan “found” it there. So who put it there? Mary Jo herself? Hmm…. 

 

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Well I just learned from this blog right here, right now, that Nicol Williamson has passed into the spirit world. God rest his soul. 

 

Even though the Father Morning character was a late addition to the film, I found his few minutes of screen time to be pivotal and full of atmosphere, and quite moving. The name itself “Morning” of course implies salvation and redemption. In a sense, and well, quite literally, he became the hero of the movie…saving Father Karras's soul. I always thought the exorcism scene performed by Father Morning was neglected, rushed, and very weak against the demon. For a movie studio wanting an exorcism scene, the least they could have done was make it formidable against the antagonist. As it was written, the priest didn't stand a chance. I'm glad he survived long enough to finish the job with the aid of God's Light, however I think the character was highly disrespected by those involved with the film. 

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Hmm, so getting back to the topic of the thread. 

 

I just watched Heretic again not long ago, and I have to sympathize with Boorman's intentions for the film, though I still say that the “cornball” factor is through the roof throughout the movie. He simply should have just started from scratch (sorta speak) and came up with something else that would lay a better framework from which to depict the power of Goodness. He could have made a much better film even without resorting to the old tricks of the original. While I applaud him in not mimicking Friedkin's work, it is still overall a very grueling film (for me) to sit through. The soundtrack is especially tedious. 

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TEDDY HEADSPIN said:

Thanks, guys. I didn't know Friedkin had removed those visuals. Now, if he'd only get rid of that superimposed face on Regan during the hypnosis scene.

 

You mean he didn't? I always found that superimposition to be quite annoying and overdone. The original visual of that scene remains the best and quite sufficient. 

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