CaptainHowdy.com The #1 Exorcist Fansite Since 1999
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Okay, dumb question … what on Earth will a HD version of gives us terms of quality? Wouldn’t we still be seeing a film shot on a 70mm film with old equipment? The DVD restoration removing the blotches and threads is great. But, what happens when you convert a DVD to HD?
Help … don’t know.
The Saint Christopher medallion is different from the one that Merrin found at the dig in Innevi, Iraq. The medallion is seen in three specific spots in the film: Northern Iraq, Karras’ dream sequence, and the final exorcism scene when Regan pulls it from Karras’ neck. I may have missed one or confused the medallion (yet I think they are all the same being that of Saint Christopher). I think it’s a wonderful way that Blatty and Friedkin reached out to us in a religious metaphoric-type way throughout the movie … plus it was another eerie thing to add to the pulse of the movie. I always think of the medallion as having a writer’s true beginning (discovery in Iraq), middle (forthcoming of evil in Karras’ dream sequence), and ending (the demon needing to rid Karras of anything holy before entering his body).
Just thoughts … anybody else?
Justin … Hooray! You are incredible at finding this and letting us in on the “secret!” I see the wires so clearly and I’m little embarrassed that I didn’t notice them before. I guess you’re right Justin, I’ll be looking for the wires every time I see the film again and again. 🙂 Congrats and keep up the good work!
Captain: I agree. I refuse to comment to the likes of SLAM234 any more because it is too personal. Now, let’s all enjoy your website and thanks for bringing it to us! 🙂
In the second image, isn’t “the wire” really the corner of wall? If you look at the picture as a whole, the top part you have circled is parallel with the bottom portion of the wall. In the first picture (even at the highest resolution), I could say, “Yes, I ‘think’ I see the wire.” But, I really don’t. I know you tried to point them out, but I can’t see the “man in the moon” either … never could. 🙂
“There is nothing,” makes sense because lunuso knows the book like the back of his/her hand! THANKS! I’ll listen more carefully next time. (You’d think Blatty could have told me that!). 😉
You’ll get the music excerpts from The Exorcist: Music Excerpts From (1973 Film) [SOUNDTRACK] [IMPORT] Jack Nitzsche. I think you are referring to either “Polymorphia,” or “Night of the Electric Insects.” Search Amazon.com or somewhere similar and you may find 30 sec. freebie intros to see if that’s what your thinking of.
I hope that helps.Actually, Jagged the definition does include “operating”, but at a different level in terms of psychology. The “subliminal” images we are all blogging back and forth about can be seen to the naked eye (the quick flashes). However, I am really referring to my post above about true subliminal images/sounds by the nature in which they are “operating” below the conscious level. Example: For years groceries stores use “canned smells” that are entice buyers to purchase certain items; e.g., breads, fruits, cakes, etc. These are real in terms of “operating” below the level of consciousness even though you use one of your five senses to fill your cart with three dozen loaves of French bread that you don’t need! 🙂
Slam234 … you’re not being “bullied.” They’ve been called “subliminal images” for decades now and you should know that since you are also a “longstanding” fan yourself. I split my answer in two parts: “What you see ‘subliminals'” and “What you don’t see ‘subliminals.'” I truly believe what I heard in the past that Friedkin put other images (see my post above) in the film as you suggested (see your post above). Of course they could have been added a myriad of things to the film that we’re just not aware of, but plays in our subconscious. I see all the “subliminal” images including the one Justin mentions right before this post about the close-up of CH super-imposed on to Reagan’s face. It’s hard to see, but it’s there.
I guess Slam234 you had a negative starting post that really didn’t induce an “intelligent conversation,” but rather gave “simple replies.” Emails and blogs can just suck when someone reads them and I’m sure you meant them better than they read.
As far as hype? Not sure at this stage of the game. But “silly hysteria” worked to bring in the bucks and still ranks up there on top-grossing horror films (and rightfully so).
Good! When you were asking: “Unless any one has any other suggestions? Demon Flashes or something?”, I thought, “Oh, no don’t even ask!” 🙂
Psychological term (adjective) for Subliminal: Existing or operating below the threshold of consciousness; being or employing stimuli insufficiently intense to produce a discrete sensation but often being or designed to be intense enough to influence the mental processes or the behavior of the individual: a subliminal stimulus; subliminal advertising.
When I first saw the film at age 13, and many time after that, I would agree that the “flashes” that Friedkin used were of course intentional. After all, it’s a psychological / horror / dramatic film. I read and heard many times that Friedkin did put “other” real “subliminal” images in the film; e.g., skulls, people lying in caskets, bloody car accident death scenes, and the list goes on. Friedkin was brilliant at directing his sound engineers to work with common sounds that makes individual uneasy; e.g., the sound of a dentist’s drill on a tooth, pigs being slaughtered, hornets being angered, etc.
So, my point … “subliminal” in the eyes of many individuals for this film is exactly what the Captain is saying. Friedkin used the term and probably combined the terms of both “flashes” and real “subliminal” images into the same term.
Unless we can ask one of the editors (there were six minimum) or Friedkin who tenaciously watched his film being cut, we won’t know. That is unless someone is willing to look at the old 70mm film frame by frame.
Other than that, did it get the hype? You bet, we’re still talking about it aren’t we? 🙂
Bottom line Captain: Don’t change it. You are on target by using “Subliminal Imagery” even though we know we can see them on screen.
Justin,
Yes! 🙂 And, thanks CH! Can you fill us in on the wires? Also, does anyone know about the Ouji board screw up? I still cannot find it.
Hey Justin … this is kinda of good news to me about seeing the wires in the levitation scene. The first time I saw this movie on the big scene I was about 13 years old (yep, I’m an old fart) and my father took me. I can’t remember seeing the wires then or in the TVYNS version, but if you say that you can see them, I’ll try to look again (for about the 1,000 time) in both versions. I know that I can see the larger wire that pulls Chris to the wall during the masturbation scene (it actually moves the curtains behind before she falls). And, you are right about the difference in wiring in the levitation and spiderwalk scenes … the former using alternating black and white painted piano wires and the latter done with a sailfish fishing pole and heavy-gauge fishing line. I clearly remember this from various interviews back in the 70’s with Friedkin, Blair, McCambridge, etc. I was hooked on the film and watched anything and everything on television about the “behind-the-scenes” filming. (And, I’ll tell you that McCambridge was on Mike Douglas’ show and scared the shit out of me when she read her backward lines using her talents of what she interpreted as a demonic voice!) I have the book about the behind-the-scenes stuff, but it’s so weak in comparison to what could have been done to make an impact on the special effects arena.
Also, please … somebody tell me exactly where the Ouji board error occurs. I’ve looked at that scene a trillion times and I can’t find it. Help me! 🙂
