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I need to re-read this book ASAP! I miss it so; great discussion goin’ on here!
Oh, and here’s a what-if question for ya:
What if Blatty had written/re-written Legion as more faithful (and good) sequel than what it clearly is (a so-so faithful sequel, and only good in parts)? 🙂
Sadly, Blatty’s writing is very hit-or-miss. And Legion was largely miss. 😐
M.I.K.E.
Quote:What parts within the book that are not in the film would you have liked to seen on screen?The whole book 😉 It’s my favorite novel:
Blatty’s intention to keep it a mystery as to whether Regan was genuinely possessed or whether it was a case of mental illness,
The gradual onset of Regan’s illness, starting with the missing of her dress, books, shoes, complaining of noises, displacement of furniture and Chris thinking it was her daughter doing it all to get attention,
The subplot on a witchcraft book that Regan read prior to her acting out occult rituals,
The extensive discussions about medicine and psychiatry which were kept to a minimum in the movie…
I would have changed the ending a little, where after she kills Merrin, Regan giggles and this sets Karras off. I would have kept the novel’s dialogue:
Karras is on the floor, attempting to revive Merrin – and he fails. As he is looking down at Merrin, shocked and grief-stricken, we hear off-screen Regan saying, “Now put his cock in his hands…”
Karras looks up at Regan, a wild look coming into his eyes.
Camera now on Regan as she grins and raises one hand in a mock-sacramental gesture, explains her previous remark: “… the Last Rites!”
Then we continue, with Karras “uncoiling” in the “you son of a bitch!” attack mode.
I think Blatty’s insulting demonic dialogue works better here than the giggling because it gives Karras a more sharp, intense motivation for attacking Regan.
That would be clearer motivation. I like the giggle because it’s subtle. There might be an interpretation problem with the insults… Some may have thought he attacked her just because of the disrespect, instead of the pure evil which caused her to laugh at the tragedy… I don’t know how much sense I make, but I gave it a shot 😛
I would like to see the whole book done as a mini-series and even adding more dialogue between Karl and the demon Regean. In the movie, Karl had to watch over regean as she was tied to the bed from outside the bedroom. He even has a chair in his hand for protection. He tells Chris, “It wants no straps”. You know Burke Dennings personality came out everytime Karl was around, so you know the Regean demon was taunting him from behind the door. That’s pretty scary stuff, this could all be utilized if they ever make a mini-series.
I forgot to add that Reagan’s party dress was missing and later found in Chris’ closet, also the prayer card that was typed in Latin with obscenities is inserted in one of the prayer books at Fr. Karras’ church. If you read the book, Lt. Kinderman concludes it was typed from Chris Mcneil’s typewriter, typed by a powerful person. Does that mean Reagan typed it while she was possessed and left the house to insert it in one of the prayer books at the church? Heavy stuff. So she’s responsible for the Virgin Mary statue being descrated. I’m scared typing this stuff right now, but I’m watching Elvis in Las Vegas special right now. But it’s alright now.
If they make a mini series, please find someone to play Chris’s psychic friend, Mary Jo Perrin and add the witchcraft book subplot.
Yes. And please do what Friedkin did – cast it with relative unknowns. Anchor it with maybe a couple of knowns (e.g., like Cobb and Von Sydow). But make it fresh and disruptive of expectations.
I PICTURE JON VOIGHT IN THE FATHER MERRIN ROLE WITH OLD MAKE-UP APPLIED TO HIS FACE TO MAKE HIM OLD. COURTNEY COX AS CHRIS MCNEIL. JASON PATRIC PLAYING THE FATHER KARRAS ROLE, JASON MILLER’S REAL LIFE SON. AS FOR REAGAN, MAKE IT AN UNKNOWN, SAME WAY LINDA BLAIR WAS CAST.
WHEN THEY DO MAKE A MINI SERIES, IT SHOULD HAVE SOME CHANGES OR ADDED SCENES THAT WERE NOT IN THE BOOK. EVEN A DIFFERENT ENDING CAN BE UTILIZED LIKE THEY DID WITH THE REMAKE OF CARRIE THAT WAS MADE INTO A TV MOVIE. IN THE REMAKE CARRIE SURVIVES AND IS HELPED BY AN UNDERSTANDING FRIEND WHO BOTH RUN OFF TO ANOTHER TOWN TO START A NEW LIFE. IN MY NEW EXORCIST ENDING, REGAN IS CURED AND WE FAST FORWARD TO HER AS AN ADULT, SHE NOW HAS A DAUGHTER, THEN REGAN HEARS SCREAMS FROM HER DAUGHTER’S ROOM, SHE RUNS TO THE ROOM, DEVILISH SOUNDS ARE HEARD. FADE TO BLACK.
Not to invite extremism and overkill, but… why not bring Skarsgard back, this time as the older Merrin. That should really confuse casual Exorcist viewers – and maybe some of the fans!
I think I like that cast except Courtney Cox as Chris! I would HATE it. They should cast someone who looks like a young Shirley MacLaine.
I THINK THEY WOULD CHANGE REGAN’S APPEARANCE AS THE DEMON IN THE NEW VERSION. DIFFERENT MAKE-UP, MAYBE RED EYE CONTACTS. IF THEY USE THE HEAD TURNING EFFECT DURING THE MASTERBATION SCENE, USE IT FOR THAT SCENE ONLY. DON’T OVERKILL THE EFFECT EVEN THOUGH THEY USE IT TWICE IN THE MOVIE.IT WORKED IN THE ORIGINAL BUT JUST USE IT ONCE IN THE REMAKE. THE SPIDER WALK SHOULD BE USED AND FILM THE WAY IT WAS WRITTEN IN THE NOVEL. THAT WAS PRETTY SCARY, READING THAT SCENE. ANY THOUGHTS?
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