CaptainHowdy.com The #1 Exorcist Fansite Since 1999
- This topic has 19 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 3 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
CC your right on a couple of points here:
I was watching the new version where the very first restored scene includes what we are to assume is Regan’s bedroom. The camera-sweeping scene starts with the light going out in her upstairs bedroom and ends at M street and that’s the window where Karras leaps from. The window is located on the far right side of the house. It’s also the same window that Kinderman watches “floating-walking” Regan go by the window (right after Karras meets Regan for the first time).
The second window is the one on the front left-hand side of the house and that is the window with the light shining through when Merrin arrives.
I’m glad you brought this up because there are two windows in her room from an outside angle, but we don’t see that at any point during the film. Go figure!
The second window would be situated right in front of Reagan’s bed, which we never see. I think during the masterbation scene, you see more of the room. When I get time I will check my dvd. Also when Burke Dennings is killed and the window is open, there’s only one source of light which is from the side window, so another source of light would of shined more into the room. I think when William Freidken wanted to light the room for dramatic effect, he wanted to use less light, so he just used one window for the light source and not be distracted with trying to use more light from a second window that’s suppose to be there. So if there was a beam of light shining down at Father Merrin approaching the house, maybe it’s the devil playing mind tricks on people again. It also makes for a dramatic shot for the movie which would be later used for the movie poster. Let’s just say, the bright light is imaginary, for example Father Karras sees his mother on Regan’s bed, there’s also a bright light surrounding her. Go figure. I’m putting too much thought into this, but this is the little details you discover in this great movie.
I watched the exorcist and yes, I did notice the other window that is in Regan’s room. It’s shown in the early scenes. The drapes are shown blowing around during the exorcism scene, when the room shakes. I always thought they hid it for some reason. One problem I did notice, I’m nitpicking now about windows is the reflection of the tree branches that are shown from the hallway window, next to Regan’s room. No trees were outside to show that kind of shadow of branches. I know that they filmed on a set, so all the window stuff reflecting through the windows is processed. Didn’t matched with the exterior shots of the house.
I can’t work out the house at all, it has always confused me. The inside seems completely different to what we see on the outside.
I think the producers just built a set for the inside and used a real house for the exterior shots with little concern about whether or not they fit.
I wonder why Reagan’s window is still boarded up after the credits roll. Replacing the glass isn’t hard to do, so If they did move after 2 months, like in the novel, wouldn’t you fix the window to remove any proof that something bad happened in that room? Did Regan stay in the room after the exorcism or was she staying in another room? Why make a child stay in a room with a boarded window? Regan would’ve been asking questions about that, since she never remembered anything after her possession.
I think the boarded window is there to reinforce the exorcism and the plunge of death on the steps. As far as a timeframe, they never mention how long it’s been since the exorcism and the move out … even the weather is the same … cloudy and cold … so it looks like autumn.
The house is really confusing from the outside and the inside. I’ve watched the camera pan from far off to the up-close shot of the back of the house and a partial view of the right-hand-side (front, in other words) and I still don’t see the Hitchcock steps. Maybe there should be blueprints to figure out what’s going on and where. I know they built an additional exterior the real house to lead the steps, but it still doesn’t show up in the film very well; e.g., when Karras makes his leap, it appears that the steps are directly below Regan’s window, but in the finale the steps appear to be across the street. Confusing, ain’t it?
Columbia, I think Regan could not remember the details of her possession, not that she was completely unaware of it!
Fatherbowdern, you are absolutely right about the stairs and window. At the end of the movie, you can see the window is still far away from the stairs, unless Karras had superpowers and really flung himself towards the stairs. The movie makers tried their best to make it look that the stairs are right below. Only fans of this movie would be watching carefully about these kind of the details. What you mentioned about the stairs still far away was going to be the subject of my next post, so I’m glad you mentioned here.
Columbian, are you using Google Earth for the address at 36th and M Streets, NW,
Washington, DC 20008? If so for Google Earth, here’s a link to pan zoom for an aerial view (it reads “Exorcist House and Stairs”). Pan through it … I still don’t see much except the new roof and perhaps a large pool in the backyard. Maybe the famous steps are to the left? Let me know what you think. Also, do you remember what site you used to find a better view?http://www.gearthhacks.com/dlfile20735/Exorcist-House-and-Stairs.htm
Their is a virual map of Georgetown and you can see the Exorcist house and pan down. I did post this somewhere in the Exorcist posts. You can see the house, the way it is now and the Hitchcock stairs.
If I recall the scene correctly Karras flings himself out the window, bounces and then rolls quickly along the ground before rolling down the stairs. Its quite dramatic!
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.