CaptainHowdy.com The #1 Exorcist Fansite Since 1999
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Steve,
Stephen King was very unhappy about Kubrick's adaptation. The King mini-series version was a King production from every angle ($25,000,000 production from WB no less).
Of course, the British version of AFI is referring to the Kubrick film … still can't see how it surpassed The Exorcist. Hell, even Psycho or Jaws could have done better.
Father B
Yes, thanks for sharing this. British audiences certainly have different tastes than American ones.
The Shining was such an incredible book that a lot of filmgoers, like me, anticipated an equally great film. This was especially true because of the medianand studio build-up that the film received prior to its release mainly due in part
to Nicholson’s and Kubrick’s interpretations of King's brilliant novel. It couldn’t be a better dream team.It flopped. Audiences were in tears of laughter. The gimmick of placing the time/day on the screen created pauses of senseless silliness in which viewer's would look at one another in bewilderment … nothing significant happened for the intentional tension-increasing breakaways that never worked. Duvall's screen presence was as thrilling as dirty dishwater. The rotting and naked elderly woman rising from the bath and lunging after Nicholson was a gross-out factor on completely different level. It was like watching your own grandmother in some sick, twisted porn scene.
The “Here's Johnny” line was so infamous from Carson's show that the connection to scariness was lost in translation. Ed McMahon was a far cry from being anything but scary. It's really too bad. Yet Nicholson’s delivery certainly created the highlight of the film and Kubrick's edit was on target.
I do enjoy the film based on certain merits, but to surpass The Exorcist?
In my best British accent, I say: “Rubbish!”
Father Bowdern
Sofia said:
I wasn't trying to be hard on Ellen but she isn't Shirley MacLaine. The role of Chris was written especially for Shirley, I wish she had played her so much.
Sof, certainly you are not being hard on Burstyn. You're just making an analysis. I see your point from a writer's standpoint. However, there is another route to think about:
Did Blatty intentionally influence Burstyn (directly and via Friedkin) to mimic MacLaine? This is the put the shoe on the other foot analogy that sometimes doesn't cross our minds because we focus too directly on one particular piece of knowledge.
Now, would you ever get any of them to admit that Shirley was the goal in any capacity? Hmmm …
Father BÂ
But then again, we never know how MacLaine would have played the part of Chris either. The lines and direction would not have changed and I can definitely see Shirley making Chris into the same kind of character. MacLaine is a strong and powerful actress … no likely she could have won the Academy Award that Burstyn was robbed of due to her lack of notoriety.
Father B
ugotugotugotwhatiwant said:
Father O'Malley might say the slap came from Billy Friedkin!
That's even better! LOL!
Father BÂ
GhettoExorcist said:
From what I remember from the book the demon makes her slap herself.
Â
So that's why it's better in the film to not show something so direct as it coming from Regan! (Perhaps Willie came in very quickly and slapped the shit out of her!)
Father B
It's a good question. IMO it has always been the demon and goes right along with the prior part of that scene with Regan being “demon handled.” :) If you get really particular, you can actually wonder why the demon is left-handed or whether he is right-handed and back hands her face?
Father Bowdern
Sofia said:
How does she look naked! LOL Father!
Sof, you know you'll probably tinker with that on the Sims!  Â
 (Plus, I'm wondering if the Sims program is that explicit or just offers Barbie doll look!)Love,
FatherB
PS: Sof, have you read one of Shirley's life philosophies:
“I see life as a creation each of us paints for ourselves. We do create our own reality in order to be aligned with our destiny.”
Sofia said:
In the novel it's suggested that Regan picked up the bad language from Burke.
Shirley as Chris of the novel didn't shout at the telephone operator like that. Ellen Burstyn portrays her with such a temperamental, agressive nature.
Sof,
Good information. I really need to read and listen to the novel again. When you mention “Shirley,” you are referring to MacLaine who could have acted out the Terms of Endearment, “Give my daughter the shot!,” type of performance with the line that Burstyn was supplied with in that scene. Perhaps you can do a Sims with Shirley in the doctor's office using that line or just add the voiceover in that actual scene …
Father B
You can buy it on Amazon for 99 cents:
http://www.amazon.com/Chiller-Thriller-Movie-Themes-Effects/dp/B00008FI2Y
Father B
I agree and have written about the stupidity of editing that scene. It lost its oomph without Chris's last line. Another rationale is that Blatty/Friedkin wanted to tone down Chris's aggressive nature with her use of peppery language. (Had it been a man, such as Howard, I don't doubt the line would have stood the test of time.)
Father B
Blair is wrapped up in the blanket. I'm sure Friedkin used the makeup for alternate shots. Which means there is a LOT of extras wee haven't seen … in time, in time.
Father B
