CaptainHowdy.com The #1 Exorcist Fansite Since 1999
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Yes, we all had quite a discussion regarding this article.
Ager offers some intriguing thoughts about The Exorcist and other films. However, I don’t see his analysis too beneficial because he targets this film as a sexual abuse case only. It’s overkill. Even Ager admits, “Some of these sexual abuse interpretations I have offered may seem like clutching at straws, but they do make sense of seemingly random parts of the story.” It is “clutching at straws” in my opinion and I don’t see “the even darker underbelly” of the plot from Ager’s viewpoint.
Father Bowdern
Sof, I have your well-written email. I’m busy on another dig, but will write back soon.
Father Bowdern
I vote for casting all unknown actors. When thinking about this, Friedkin cast some roles with very new, relatively new, or unknown actors with a smattering of heavy hitters like Lee J. Cobb and Max von Sydow (who was aged through makeup). Perhaps it’s important to dissociate with these kind of roles.
Father Bowdern
Hmmm … so who will be cast? Let’s just follow Ridley Scott’s lead for Alien and choose a cast of very talented actors who no one can relate to from other filmings.
Father Bowdern
Aw shucks, Sof … there you go again making me blush!
You actually bring up a very good point about the exorcism lasting for days on end in the novel. You've probably read the actual diary of “R's” exorcism, and you know it lasted for days (that is, compressed days over several weeks, really).
The film represents the “condensed evening edition” of an exorcism. Speaking of compressing things, I believe only 20 minutes are devoted to Regan's exorcism. I believe the film would drag on with any kind of pauses other than the break Merrin and Karras took on the stairwell (unfortunately only in TVNS).
I wonder … would it be better to show that an exorcism lasts longer than a few hours – or – a few days, weeks? Of course, this could cripple fake exorcists like Bob Larson who extol thousands of dollars based on old voodoo tactics. I have posted this before, but here’s the link again about the Reverend Larson who can’t remember if he was a millionaire or not.
Enjoy … here.
Father Bowdern
It looks the Captain fixed this. I can't remember if I mentioned it to him or not in an email. I made the mistake of updating my displayed user name while uploading my animated avatar. Now … no animated avatar … no Life Member.
 Uh, can we say I'm computer illiterate all together now?Sof, I'll try to post some things over the holidays here in the U.S. to see what happens. I do notice that your previous images are now compressed. Are you seeing the same thing on your end?
Father Bowdern
Well, folks, I would love to read the entire part of your entries, but I keep getting the right-hand side cut off.
Maybe me, maybe devil?
Father Bowdern
Okay … too much work to pull up the different versions of The Exorcist to “hear” or not “hear” the airplane sound effect in the segue between Iraq and the MacNeil household on the different releases and TYVNS. I'm sure it will come back again for the blu-ray edition to elude to the fact that the demon boarded a plane from Northern Iraq to Washington, D.C.
What are my thoughts on the blu-ray? Everything you've listed would be wonderful. Let's really hope Friedkin doesn't tinker with CGI this time around (it's definitely not his forte as witnessed through TVYNS).
I do like the subliminal idea (or even a flashback) of Regan/Demon killing Dennings. It could be something quick like the hurling Dennings through the bedroom window. I'm sure they have enough audio of Jack McGowren and Mercedes McCambridge to pull it off successfully. Timing should probably occur in the ending scene to egg on the theory that someone else did it (like Karl). Perhaps at the ending when Regan is looking up at Father Dyer's priest collar, a vague memory hits her (the flashback) just before she kisses him on the cheek.
Please … keep the original spiderwalk and ditch the CGI blood. Add the Washington, D.C. sightseeing filming to build a more bonded relationship between Chris and Regan.
Amen,
Father Bowdern
GhettoExorcist said:WOW!! I remember reading about this ending. The studios seemed unhappy with the ending that Friedkin had given them and wanted to re-shoot a much happier and ending. Interesting read but feel that oddly enough the 73' ending feels the most complete. This “New” ending feels exactly what it is, a tacked on ending that is simply put there to reassure the audience that good has triumphed. The ending in TVYNS feels like it's going somewhere but suddenly the movie ends. The 73' ending continues the same tone of the rest of the film where as the other two feel like a pat on the back saying “don't worry, evil's punished”. In other words, I don't like it, but an interesting read.
How true, Ghetto. Blatty and Friedkin have both said the execs at WB kept pushing them to get the film done early AND to make sure it was no more two hours. This may explain a lot of the slicing and dicing regarding the story.
Father Bownder
Ok. Yep. I believe Merrin's reaction is based on his physical health and it's nothing more than choking. I'm guessing at this because we hear Regan's demonic laughter and then a closeup shot of Regan's face. We already know that Merrin is in terrible shape based due to his age (mentioned in the film earlier). Plus, we see Merrin taking a dose of nitroglycerin under his tongue. The demon is getting to Merrin by tearing him down physically. [Of course, farting sounds would send everyone into hysterics!]
Father Bowdern
Sof … where have you been? Aren't you excited about the entirely new site? What and excellent for an exorcism!
Father Bowern
See … this is what makes The Exorcist (no matter its format) such a wonderful endeavor on the part of Blatty's brilliance as a writer …Â spinning a small molecule into breathing, pulsing organism.
Father Bowdern
