CaptainHowdy.com The #1 Exorcist Fansite Since 1999
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Ben, you are so on target.
In a semi-parallel contrast to Anneliese and Regan (or Ronald Hunkeler), is the case in point provided by Blatty in both the novel and script for The Exorcist regarding Regan’s “mental-health condition.” I am referencing the first scene in which we see Regan physically manifested by the demon. The neurologist that accompanies Dr. Klein to the urgent situation at the McNeil household is the one on cue.
Blatty wrote the neurologist’s lines with the attentive detail that would cover all angles of naysayers regarding Regan’s physical and neurological condition(s); i.e., the neurologist is covering the somatic (nervous or neurological system) aspects as he should as a neurologist.
The neurologist’s lines are a solution rather than a hypothesis, which is why Blatty’s material speaks volume about his writing abilities. That entire scene is, “as good as it gets,” in my opinion (along with the Kinderman/Chris “tea party” scene.)
Neurologist to Chris McNeil: “Now I know the temptation would lead to psychiatry. But, any reasonable psychiatrist would exhaust the somatic possibilities first.”
Anneliese Michel, as you refer to in my posting Ben, was a tragedy based on the circumstances in which she lived. We must remember too, that in the 1970s, anti-psychotic medications were being tested more rampantly than ever in medical history. I do not know Anneliese’s psychiatric ailment other than being a paranoid schizophrenic probably being treated with lithium-based medications. Lithium, when used as a form of treatment can cause severe problems when overused and toxicity sets in. This toxicity ranges from the partially benign loss of appetite to the severity of convulsions. Lithium could have been the culprit causing the severe malnutrition and convulsions. However, it was supposedly taken away from her and that leaves “the mystery.”
Ben, when you say, “But I question some of the supernatural events in the case (i.e. the vision of Mary for example as this is not biblical),” what do you mean by your “that is” example? Let me in on the Marian Vision and why it’s not biblical in this sense for Anneliese. I’m unclear in her example. I guess I’m going back in my mind to the children of Our Lady of Fatima.
drexul, you’re very welcome. I finally finagled a couple of programs together to get it to play backward and it’s freaky!
drexul, I love that word, “snarky!” Consider that I’m going to steal it from you and use it from now on! 🙂
With that one sentence, there was no intention on my part to be “snarky. That reference to the word “period” in that sentence is just that. Friedkin didn’t go on any further (which surprises me). That particular sentence is intended to be read as a part of the whole paragraph where I ended it with a wink. ( 😉 )
Incidentally, although your posting led me to finding this information, it really is meant to be shared with everyone … don’t take it so personally. “Blogging,” like email, can be misinterpreted as “snarky” sometimes when there is no intention of that at all. >>>>>> 🙂
Peace Out!
To place doubt in Karras’ mind.
The only mention of the holy water is the conversation between Karras and Chris in which he explains the holy water is really tap water and that is doesn’t support a case for exorcism.
However, we can hear the message being delivered to Karras in reverse English by “all the subordinate demons.”
The actions of the holy water sprinkling (tap water) was necessary for the demon to “invite” Karras into the exorcism and get the ball rolling. While it wasn’t holy water, the demon needed something to act upon to get his message across to Karras.
I believe, like many others, that Pazuzu needed that one last fight with Merrin because Merrin won the initial bout of exorcism in Northern Iraq that “nearly killed him [Merrin].”
Pazuzu seeks revenge and, therefore, all parts of the exorcism are neatly tied to together with the possession of Regan in D.C. where Karras resides. This ultimately leads to bringing Merrin into the clutches of Pazuzu once again and he finishes him off along with the altruistic Karras.
Then, of course, there’s the case of your own beliefs. Did good win over evil? Did evil win over good? 🙂
No. Not the devil himself. A mythological demon named Pazuzu was in charge of Regan. A quick read that’s pretty succinct is here.
You know, when you think about it, maybe Stephen King did a little take on this in The Shining with the word, “REDRUM.” 🙂
Agreed, dsea! Good point on Wise. Can you imagine how much better these films would have been if the director’s had been given the time do make the film’s exactly like they wanted them? James Cameron paid his own money to finish his “Titanic” dream and look what happened to it!
I’m still not convinced that the original was ever filmed with the blood pouring from Regan’s mouth. And, yes, CGI has been in film for years, but that’s not the point here. I believe we’re discussing the fact that the scene was indeed made with CGI blood for TVYNS. It does look realistic, but so do the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park! 😉
I do believe you have a great point on the spider-walk in the intro as a premonition, but wouldn’t that kind of be overplay on dream sequences in The Exorcist? If Chris’ dream sequence includes the spider-walk scene, I think audiences would be lost just as many viewers were lost when the dialogue between Regan and Chris took place after she emptied her bladder on the floor at the party.
Regan: “Mother, what’s wrong with me?”
Chris: “It’s just like the doctor said, it’s nerves and that’s all. Okay? You just take your pills and you’ll be fine, really. Okay?”There’s nothing in the original that helped audiences know that Regan was even remotely ill. The only clue to that is the scene I mention above. But, audiences kept wondering what’s wrong with her and then the violent bed-shaking episode takes place.
The spider-walk doesn’t work, but it’s cool as shit to see it because it was in the book. I have a Regan Spider-Walk right in front of me on my desk in my office as I write this (sans the CGI blood), so I don’t hate the scene. It’s just that the scene doesn’t work either way it … with blood/without blood. However, that scene was a great way to make $$$ for WB when they released TVYNS. 🙂
