[granville1]

Let me add my own contribution to the history of bad ideas 🙂

Diehard fans such as myself are always imagining ways of continuing the Blatty/Exorcist narrative, whether in book or screen form. The only criterion would be adhering to a standard of excellence – and there, of course, is the rub. How to do a new Exorcist tale and/or film without degrading the franchise any more than it’s already been,  not going over old ground, while, at the same time, not going all New Age/comic book sci-fi Kooky-Lunatic, etc. …?

One idea might be a narrative told through the eyes, and/or utilizing the character, of Fr. Paul Morning. Yes: I realize that he was a last-minute add-on as an exorcist, because the studio demanded Blatty write-in an exorcism scene. Yes: I realize that Morning has only two lines of personal dialogue (“… my life …” in the chapel, and his exhortation to Damien in the hospital cell), the rest of it consisting of recitation from the Roman Ritual during the exorcism. But still, for the film, he is a key character.

Most of us assume that Morning died after drawing Karras’ attention to the crucifix and encouraging the possessed priest to “Fight … Fight him, Damien …”. Morning does not appear again as a living or dead character for the rest of the movie; unlike the case with Karras, we do not see a new grave being prepared for Morning. However, the film does not definitely or definitively state that Morning has, with certitude, died.

A new Exorcist tale might possibly be evolved from a scenario in which Morning survives his ordeal. Obviously, he was roughed up, tossed against a wall, pinned to the ceiling, suffered blood loss from mutilation, and was finally dropped back down to the floor. But, he could have survived. What possible value is there in having Morning survive?

Well, obviously, Morning’s survival would keep alive a key character from the film, who is moreover, and deliciously, an experienced exorcist.

It would give the narrative a chance to restore the “detective-priest friendship” theme from the original film/novel and from the Legion novel. Kinderman has lost both Karras and Dyer, but now he may be gaining Morning – as a new priestly friend, visiting Morning during his recovery (recalling his hospital visit to Dyer), later on going for restorative walks, going to movies, etc. I’d enjoy watching this new friendship as it develops – plenty of playing space for Kinderman’s Jewish humor-cynicism and for Morning’s intellectual-Jesuitical rapier-like repostes.

Then, of course, a new intrusion of demonism. This time, Kinderman and Morning could be pleasingly-contrasted, odd-bedfellow type partners bound together in combating the vengeful demon whose work – as long as its enemies Kinderman and Dyer still live – is infuriatingly unfinished. The demon still has a connection to Georgetown, and a final score to settle with Kinderman and Dyer.

Call me a dreamer (or crazy), but I think such a scenario just might work. Obviously, since Lee J. Cobb, George C. Scott, and Nicol Williamson are dead, other actors would be playing these characters. And, just as obviously, the timeline would have to be convincingly dealt with. The events of the Legion film took place in what? 1990? whle Dyer and Kinderman were still alive and kicking. So any new version would either need to be a period piece, taking place within a reasonable time frame post-1990, where Kinderman and Morning would not be octogenarians running around trying to down demons. But a sufficiently thoughtful and imaginative time structure could probably be worked out, if the writer-producer loved the material, and – like so many fans – wanted to see one final, respectful, profound Exorcist film cap off the franchise.

For those who say, “Enough is enough”, fine, I sympathise, but Blatty has delivered such a complex body of material and ideas, I do believe, if correctly handled, the Exorcist universe just may have one more good novel and/or film to offer, as part of its vast potential.

[ReganMacNeilfan]

This all sounds good to me. 🙂

[granville1]

Thank you … you can tell I'm an Exorcist addict. Of course, I could quit tomorrow if I wanted.

No, that's a lie.

[jguthrie]

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.

[ReganMacNeilfan]

The same goes for Burke. I know he was a drunk but still want to learn more. 🙂 Probably would not mind seeing some parts of Regan covered in the book and not the film. Even showing what happened between Chris and her husband. And many other things too.

[ChristCompels]

Well I just learned from this blog right here, right now, that Nicol Williamson has passed into the spirit world. God rest his soul. 

 

Even though the Father Morning character was a late addition to the film, I found his few minutes of screen time to be pivotal and full of atmosphere, and quite moving. The name itself “Morning” of course implies salvation and redemption. In a sense, and well, quite literally, he became the hero of the movie…saving Father Karras's soul. I always thought the exorcism scene performed by Father Morning was neglected, rushed, and very weak against the demon. For a movie studio wanting an exorcism scene, the least they could have done was make it formidable against the antagonist. As it was written, the priest didn't stand a chance. I'm glad he survived long enough to finish the job with the aid of God's Light, however I think the character was highly disrespected by those involved with the film. 

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