CaptainHowdy.com The #1 Exorcist Fansite Since 1999
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I think this “GODFATHER” idea is wonderful. Great ideas here, you guys.
Just one thing: Use spellcheck on what is otherwise AMAZING box artwork — no offense. 🙂
Seriously, fantastic design there, Father Merrin. Impressive.
M.I.K.E.
Hatty, have you got the higher-res “head morph” trailer? It’s not too shabby.
One of us can probably share it with you. Let us know.
M.I.K.E.
Since the film/novel/story is from the point of view of Christian theology, I firmly believe “Captain Howdy” is literally nothing more than a name the Demon — known as “Pazuzu” to Middle Easterners — adopts for setting up the invasion and possession of young westerner girl Regan MacNeil. She and the audience know the Captain Howdy face when we see it, but that’s only part of the puzzle; we’re actually looking at the truest form of the demon (formerly a beautiful heavenly Angel of God). Captain Howdy and Pazuzu are one and the same, but more accurately, Captain Howdy is to Pazuzu what Superman is to Clark Kent. Superman is the ideal; and thus to Regan MacNeil, Captain Howdy is a fun imaginary friend… initially, until Pazuzu shows her his true appearance with the fleeting daydream; she’s frightened… Captain Howdy isn’t “very nice” after all. Pazuzu knows how to get things done; with kids, a name-change is a must; “Captain Howdy” is more enticing than “Pazuzu”.
Who’s with me? 😛
M.I.K.E.
No worries, Cap… And what’s this about a successor? A little Captain Howdy…? 😮
CONGRATS, my friend (and to Mrs. Howdy)! 🙂
All the best,
M.I.K.E.
“Evil against evil.”
Whatever that means, I still don’t know. 😐
But the two dogs’ gnashing of teeth reminds me of this quote from later in the prelude.
M.I.K.E.
Good ideas.
Mine has always been that (actual demon) Pazuzu (alter ego: “Captain Howdy”) knows not only of its eventual showdown with Merrin, but arguably the other two most important figures or targets it will have a brush with imminently — Pazuzu invades the day-dream of the impressionable, young child, Regan, the “piglet”. And, the demon drops into the night-dream of the despairing, burned-out, weary middle-aged priest, Karras.
I never had the thought that these two human beings — or even just one of them — had visions (or, more accurately, premonitions), but instead that they were invaded (perhaps to see who would make for a better possession…?) by the demon, a sudden, fleeting invasion; again, maybe that’s all the time the demon needed to choose its victim.
Just some thoughts. Great topic, guys. 🙂
M.I.K.E.
Good point. Regarding the “You! They sent you?!” line, however, I might suggest the demon was merely being sarcastic as ever. I mean, Karras’ faith crisis should have been easy for the demon to detect supernaturally from the get-go; he may have been strong in the faith in months or years past, but now he’s growing weak and is on shakey ground, not quite the formidable opponent of godliness Merrin ultimately is considered to have become. If it’s not meant as sarcasm by the demon, that line just makes me think of… the demon opening a door to a house and finding someone they fear on the other side.
Since the demon is supernatural, though, “opening a door” is beneath it — it traverses the spiritual realm and should be able to see things almost instantly; the person’s physical exterior, and how they live their life, not necessarily what can be “read” on the heart, soul, or conscience. So, I don’t see why this line wouldn’t be sarcasm; Karras is facing tough times and accordingly wouldn’t be as much of a threat than had he been more trusting in God and willing to perserve in lieu of throwin in the towel — or cloth, as it were.
But if my “dream search” theory above is accurate — even if just for the movie (who knows?) — maybe that’s explained by the idea of Satanic forces sneaking into someone’s “core” to get the full view of the individual’s spiritual status, beyond the “are they sinful?”; demons and Satan already know Man from birth is in bondage to sin — hence the literal inquest into the would-be victim’s soul or core, which is off-limits aside from getting a visual on where the person stands with Christ or doesn’t stand with Him.
Just some casual conjecture. 🙂
M.I.K.E.
Interesting topic. I would just like to add that, as in life, Blatty’s piece of art here — the novel — is full of evidence, non-evidence, and anti-evidence to there being a reality consisting of the spiritual. This is what makes the novel and the film so scary and believeable; it’s realistic, three-dimensional — not simply a 1 or 2-D characature/cartoon. And Friedkin’s documentary style, and the unique tone/voice/style Blatty breathes into the novel help crystalize this.
M.I.K.E.
DOMINION-Merrin’s cantine is also on auction, last I checked. Plus, the slain soldier’s knife.
I still have yet to see something from any of the films that compels me to buy it. Maybe the Paz idol; one of the GOOD reproductions that pop up. Or, yes: the pre-vandalized* Dominion Church interior and exterior sets. Those are amazing to behold, watching the film. Oh yeah, and I’d need a billion dollars first, and a time machine. Sigh.
M.I.K.E.
* They were muddied-up and packed with black bird corpses for “purposes” of filming the remake: EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING. Like I said, VANDALISM.
Devil’s Backbone is excellent. Very much in the same tone of Dominion, indeed. He was one of the first directors associated with the project, which I find just fascinating. Dominion scarier with him directing? Not if he shot the same script Schrader contractually shot. Even so, The Exorcist saga is right up his alley. And/or if a remake ever happens, he’d be the guy to hire, if I were in charge of things. He and Schrader have a wonderful way with actors; creating the horror of real-life tragedy, people at odds with another. Intense and unforgettable.
Pan’s Labyrinth was good, as well. Best fairy tale flick in ages.
Hellboy, underwhelming given its source material.
Did Mike Mignola work on Pan’s Labyrinth at all? I thought I saw his handiwork in places.
M.I.K.E.
