CaptainHowdy.com The #1 Exorcist Fansite Since 1999
Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
You’ll get the music excerpts from The Exorcist: Music Excerpts From (1973 Film) [SOUNDTRACK] [IMPORT] Jack Nitzsche. I think you are referring to either “Polymorphia,” or “Night of the Electric Insects.” Search Amazon.com or somewhere similar and you may find 30 sec. freebie intros to see if that’s what your thinking of.
I hope that helps.Actually, Jagged the definition does include “operating”, but at a different level in terms of psychology. The “subliminal” images we are all blogging back and forth about can be seen to the naked eye (the quick flashes). However, I am really referring to my post above about true subliminal images/sounds by the nature in which they are “operating” below the conscious level. Example: For years groceries stores use “canned smells” that are entice buyers to purchase certain items; e.g., breads, fruits, cakes, etc. These are real in terms of “operating” below the level of consciousness even though you use one of your five senses to fill your cart with three dozen loaves of French bread that you don’t need! 🙂
Slam234 … you’re not being “bullied.” They’ve been called “subliminal images” for decades now and you should know that since you are also a “longstanding” fan yourself. I split my answer in two parts: “What you see ‘subliminals'” and “What you don’t see ‘subliminals.'” I truly believe what I heard in the past that Friedkin put other images (see my post above) in the film as you suggested (see your post above). Of course they could have been added a myriad of things to the film that we’re just not aware of, but plays in our subconscious. I see all the “subliminal” images including the one Justin mentions right before this post about the close-up of CH super-imposed on to Reagan’s face. It’s hard to see, but it’s there.
I guess Slam234 you had a negative starting post that really didn’t induce an “intelligent conversation,” but rather gave “simple replies.” Emails and blogs can just suck when someone reads them and I’m sure you meant them better than they read.
As far as hype? Not sure at this stage of the game. But “silly hysteria” worked to bring in the bucks and still ranks up there on top-grossing horror films (and rightfully so).
Good! When you were asking: “Unless any one has any other suggestions? Demon Flashes or something?”, I thought, “Oh, no don’t even ask!” 🙂
Psychological term (adjective) for Subliminal: Existing or operating below the threshold of consciousness; being or employing stimuli insufficiently intense to produce a discrete sensation but often being or designed to be intense enough to influence the mental processes or the behavior of the individual: a subliminal stimulus; subliminal advertising.
When I first saw the film at age 13, and many time after that, I would agree that the “flashes” that Friedkin used were of course intentional. After all, it’s a psychological / horror / dramatic film. I read and heard many times that Friedkin did put “other” real “subliminal” images in the film; e.g., skulls, people lying in caskets, bloody car accident death scenes, and the list goes on. Friedkin was brilliant at directing his sound engineers to work with common sounds that makes individual uneasy; e.g., the sound of a dentist’s drill on a tooth, pigs being slaughtered, hornets being angered, etc.
So, my point … “subliminal” in the eyes of many individuals for this film is exactly what the Captain is saying. Friedkin used the term and probably combined the terms of both “flashes” and real “subliminal” images into the same term.
Unless we can ask one of the editors (there were six minimum) or Friedkin who tenaciously watched his film being cut, we won’t know. That is unless someone is willing to look at the old 70mm film frame by frame.
Other than that, did it get the hype? You bet, we’re still talking about it aren’t we? 🙂
Bottom line Captain: Don’t change it. You are on target by using “Subliminal Imagery” even though we know we can see them on screen.
Justin,
Yes! 🙂 And, thanks CH! Can you fill us in on the wires? Also, does anyone know about the Ouji board screw up? I still cannot find it.
Hey Justin … this is kinda of good news to me about seeing the wires in the levitation scene. The first time I saw this movie on the big scene I was about 13 years old (yep, I’m an old fart) and my father took me. I can’t remember seeing the wires then or in the TVYNS version, but if you say that you can see them, I’ll try to look again (for about the 1,000 time) in both versions. I know that I can see the larger wire that pulls Chris to the wall during the masturbation scene (it actually moves the curtains behind before she falls). And, you are right about the difference in wiring in the levitation and spiderwalk scenes … the former using alternating black and white painted piano wires and the latter done with a sailfish fishing pole and heavy-gauge fishing line. I clearly remember this from various interviews back in the 70’s with Friedkin, Blair, McCambridge, etc. I was hooked on the film and watched anything and everything on television about the “behind-the-scenes” filming. (And, I’ll tell you that McCambridge was on Mike Douglas’ show and scared the shit out of me when she read her backward lines using her talents of what she interpreted as a demonic voice!) I have the book about the behind-the-scenes stuff, but it’s so weak in comparison to what could have been done to make an impact on the special effects arena.
Also, please … somebody tell me exactly where the Ouji board error occurs. I’ve looked at that scene a trillion times and I can’t find it. Help me! 🙂
Holy7,
Father Merrin/Father Karras:
Karras: I think I should tell you about the different personalities that have manifested …
Merrin: There is only one.
She has a 200 IQ and does not need to be taught anything that the devil didn’t already teach her. [Didn’t Blair do a nude pictorial in Penthouse or something similar? I remember the caption on the front the mag that read: “The Devil Made Me Do It!” How original.
Thank God this didn’t appear in the film! Thank God Friedkin told Schriffin to “GET OUT!” [Pun intended.]
Lunuso is right … read the book … it’s better than the movie and fills you in on the gaps you don’t about in the movie! When I was about 13, I read the book and when I finished reading a chapter or two, I stored the copy between my bed and wall (about a 12″ space). One night a heard the sound of paper tearing. I investigated. Yep, the pages were eaten down along the front. As Karl would have said to me: “Maybe rats?” I’m not sure, because we never had a mice/rat problem in my home. So, “Maybe, demon?” Scared the hell out of me as a Catholic kid.
I guess it’s just too hard to judge. When I put it together, I see the original scene with the stunt double walking and then twisting back over so that Blair could complete the tongue-forking special effect. It also occurred to me that maybe (maybe) WB had enough money to film a very brief scene like that one (lasting a mere 3-4 seconds) to try to add the bloody mouth effect. Personally, it just doesn’t add up some perspective and I guess we’ll be stumped until can get a hold of Friedkin, Blatty, or the stunt person and ask for the real answer.
As far as “removing the wires,” has anyone scene the original? I haven’t. But, if they can use wires in the levitation scene (piano wires painted in white and black alternating colors), then it could be done easily for that scene considering how far back the camera’s were positioned and the fact that they used heavy-gauge fishing wire to do it.
Okay, I’m pretty sure that colombiancannon’s assessment is in touch with reality (for the film that is). If you watch this clip http://youtube.com/watch?v=tbfnWc7vVco you will hear the original musical strings sequence. The scene was smart to remove by Friedkin because when you put it into perspective, it doesn’t add anything but sheer simplistic stereotypical horror-movie garbage that had already been played out so many times before (Oooh, look … Reagan’s a spider or a crab!). Friedkin had no desire to take a horror-film approach, yet wanted the film to give a documentary style to something that millions of folks that couldn’t understand the theological and psychological material they were viewing (read the book and you get absorbed into Blatty’s world). Also, I am not convinced that the blood from the stunt double’s mouth is either real with a CGI mix or just plain CGI (the latter my choice in beliefs). You can check it out again here and let me know what you think: http://youtube.com/watch?v=o-4f_NMUxcY&feature=related
If Spielberg’s crew can create a realistic T-rex in CGI, then the blood wouldn’t be a problem for an older film that need that extra oomph for newer audiences.Howdy,
Perfect line! I remember it too and I wish that it hadn’t been cut from the original. Father Merrin should have a little liquor in his coffee for what he’s about to take place in! 🙂 It looks like we are all zoning in on the TE:TVYNS, but I understand that WB wanted to cut the movie to two hours, so we were a little confused and gypped when the original came out I guess.
