CaptainHowdy.com The #1 Exorcist Fansite Since 1999
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This footage is really awesome. You can see poor Linda crying and instantly Billy going to her to help her. Despite some of Friedkin's on set antics, you can see he has a huge heart. And Jason Miller took that shot in the face like a trooper. Great footage.
I too, loved the second version of this radio adaptation. Totally faithful to the novel…it simply delivers. If you are a fan of Karras, you will definitely enjoy the second part. I love the part where they are doing the Exorcism and Regan “turns on” the record player and it starts playing “Spirit in the Sky” amidst all the chaos. However, the priests ignore all she throws at them and they maintain till the end. I have always loved radio (studied it in college). One must have to IMAGINE in their heads what is going on. Very different medium than television or film where everything is handed to you. Radio production takes talent, and these guys know their stuff. On a final note, I will simply say, as the Captain said, there is the novel and then their is the film. For me, it will always be Friedkin's darkest vision.
I have been waiting for this adaptation for months. So, at 5 pm American time, I was eagerly awaiting the toll of the bell. Unfortunately, for me, my upstairs neighbor took this whole hour to decide to listen to his new rap album. Immediately I was angered, but trudged on with the incessant boom of some God awful “music”. Anyway, now to the broadcast itself. I found it to be of excellent quality. They really set the mood. The acting was great, especially Kinderman. I was totally waiting to hear that “demonic” voice out of Reagan. However, I quickly accepted her “normal” voice and found it to be a nice change for her character. It makes her no less creepy. An all around great performance and I cannot wait till the next one (hopefully my neighbor will have finished his thumping boom by then). The ONE thing I missed was at the end when Karras is talking to Dyer and he is about to go to sleep (the way they did the nightmare sequence was brilliant). I couldn't tell if Dyer was alluding that he was homosexual in some way. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE Dyer's character, however, even in the film version it really picks up on how he can be a little effeminate (the piano playing camp). Nevertheless, this was an excellent and well done radio drama and left me on the edge of my seat waiting for more.
Does anybody know if the 11 pm time is British time or American? I can't wait to hear this adaptation!
Anybody who has spent time in mental institutions or jails and believes in Christ, like I have, should have no doubt in his or her mind about the existence of demons. Hell…I can see them when I go to the grocery store. One should read the great book about possession called “Hostage to the Devil” by the late great Malachi Martin. Evil is all around us every day. We must be vigilant and look towards Christ every day or one CAN face the possibility of full infestation. Don't ever get too deep into the underworld. I think Friedkin did this just by the production of this masterful film…and has felt the ramifications of it every day. YES. Christ exists and YES demons and demonic possession is very very real and something NOT to be toyed with. Peace be with you all.
If you are talking about The Exorcist, what made me smile was when Kinderman shoots Karras the line, “I was wrong. You look like Sal Mineo.” And that smile on Karras's face. Makes me grin every time I see it.
I think the biggest bullet this movie dodged was in the casting of Father Karras. I cannot even imagine another actor that could play his brilliant part…except perhaps for a young Robert De Niro. Friedkin was right on the money by hiring him and firing the other actor set to play him (I believe it was Stacy Keach…but I might be wrong). Jason Miller is the glue that holds this brilliant film together. Without him, I believe the film would not have worked so strongly.
I love the way you describe the priests. Just like ordinary people. My sentiments exactly. It really makes you feel for them. And that last shot of Dyer looking down the steps looking like he wants to cry…that hooked me.
I know this may sound crazy, but I would love to see like a TV miniseries about Father Karras in his younger days. Maybe focus on his early life as a medical student and his life as a boxer. Then there is always the picture of his supposed girlfriend he may have once had. I just find his character to be so incredible that I would love to see more about his background.
I am absolutely partial to Friedkin's original version. Freidkin only did the new version on behalf of Blatty and his original vision. All the new subliminal's don't add anything. To me, they are just hokey gimmicks. The only scene I would have kept is the stairwell scene between Karras and Merrin (a beautiful scene). I hate the ending of the new version as well. To me, the Exorcist will always end with Dyer looking down those steps, remembering and praying for his best friend and then walking away. I don't think the new scene with Kinderman adds anything. But then again, I grew up with the original version all my life. It was a perfect masterpiece and Friedkin should have stood his ground and let it be.
The subplot about Karl the housekeeper and his drug addict daughter. I always thought that would have been interesting to see in the film.
I happen to have really liked Legion. It is basically a detective story with supernatural elements. I like how it shows how intelligent a think Detective Kinderman is. I suspect Blatty puts a lot of himself in that character. I definite page turner like the Exorcist. After reading the book, I thought the film could have been much better. I just read it and that's my take.
