CaptainHowdy.com The #1 Exorcist Fansite Since 1999
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Yes FB I think your right. It was really the moment when Karras’ snapped, and right after his faith has been restored. Its a gratifying moment of course, becuase its a decisive choice to avenge Merrin’s death and Regan’s torment and challenge the demon with his own faith. But by beating her??? I know it was Pazuzu he was mad at, but it was her body. I just thought the idea of beating her was gratuitous, and the book handled it so much more intelligently.
Kokomu I think you maybe onto something. I always took that line as Kinderman sort of flirting with the priests. Perhaps he was on the downlow…
I prefer the version of the Heretic that I saw in the 70s, and on VHS in the 80s. Apparently the DVD is the very original version, prior to the harsh reviews that caused Boorman to recut it within a week of its release. But when I finally saw the very original (DVD) version, it was very clear why he NEEDED to cut it. It is much worse than the version that we saw in the 70s and 80s. All that stuff with Sharon dying in the blanket at the end, oh my that was hard to sit through. Please cut out as much of that as you can. Also, cut out as much of Richard Burton’s bad acting when travelling to Washington. And although the soundtrack is interesting, some of the vocalizations could be toned down a bit.
On the positive, I always loved the scene where the house crumbles and he plucks out Regan’s heart.Fatherbowden, with all due respect that was pretty rude. I never professed to know ‘everything’, and I resent your implication. I do know a lot about this film, and I know that there are no ‘subliminal edits’ in it, and I’ve explained how the word has been misused and the surrounding sensationalism created much hype. This sensationalistic article proves nothing, except that the word was used incorrectly in describing the quick scary edits. Love it if you must, for what reason I can’t even imagine. I just ask that people not be so easily led, there is so much silliness about this film that people still buy into and its just not necessary.
I think Granville and Kokumu got it right. “Howdy” was the name Regan used for the demon in the early stages of the possesion. When Karras did his investigation into the cases authenticity he considered possible psychological theories about the possesion, one being the similarity of Howdy and Howard. The demon was often confusing, trying to convince Karras that it wasn’t “authentic”. I believe this was Blatty’s way of throwing a wrench into the story, to raise questions. Like when Regan reacted violently to the holy water, though she must have known it wasn’t actually blessed.
If you read the Exorcist, you may remember that Karras did an exhaustive and skeptical investigation into the possesions “authenticity”. One of the possible psychological explanations for Regan’s behavior was that it was caused by “hysteria”. It is entirely possible that’s what happened in the original case. It doesnt mean that he was “faking” necessarily, because he likely believed it in a certain way. Hysteria is a powerful psychological phenomenon, and has people believing all kinds of things.
An original ‘one-sheet’ poster of “The Exorcist”, in excellent condition, goes for about $300. The price ranges depending on the quality. You can still find them on Ebay.
Nightboi, Capt. Howdy and the rest are correct. No such scene was ever shot. Since the day the movie came out I have read every related book and most major articles regarding this film, including “the Story Behind The Exorcist”, and the original screenplays by Blatty. The scene was never shot, nor was it in the book. The very idea of it would have ruined the entire plot, which pivoted on the murder/mystery being revealed later. In the book the scene was described by the demon (using Burkes voice) to Karras,but it was well after the fact.
Somebody is confused about what they saw.I remember a movie being advertised shortly after the Exorcist craze began. It was called “Daughter of Exorcism”, though I never did see it. And just earlier this evening I was a movie in which Keanu Reeves was performing an exorcism, though I didn’t catch the title.
Yes, that was a stupid review. I will say however that I always did object to the violent scene in which Karras “beats the devil” out of Regan. I mean just a few minutes earlier he was checking her heartbeat and worried about her battered body going into a coma, and then he goes off and beats her ass. Even in 74 I thought it was cheap and sensationalistic, and completely different from the book. One of the changes Friedkin made that I never liked. In the book its much more psychological. Karras challenges the demon to take on something “bigger and stronger than a little girl”, without ever laying a hand on her.
Wow, thanks Justin it was in there, you found it! In the film it is garbled, hard to understand though.
Wow, thanks Justin it was in there, you found it! In the film it is garbled, hard to understand though.
