What Makes "The Exorcist" Great.

Cited as by many as the scariest film ever made at the time of it's release, The Exorcist may not hold on to that title today, but looking at how well it still holds up over 45 years later is a true testament to the quality of the film. It showed audiences and the industry that the horror genre can be more than just cheap thrills. That it can be taken seriously as high art in its own right, it's success at the Oscars is proof of that.

Based on the novel and adapted to the screen by William Peter Blatty, the film follows Regan Mcneil (Linda Blair) daughter of a famous actress Chris Mcneil (Ellen Burstyn). Regan begins to go through various psychological and disturbing chances. As doctors and psychologists prove to be ineffective in helping her, she is pointed in the direction of father Karas (Jason Miller). Karas in turn enlists the help of the more experienced Father Merin (Max Von Sydow) to expel the demon from Reagen.

While The Exorcist is first and foremost a horror film, the film explores a deeper message in examining the place of religion in the modern world. This is an interesting concept to explore given the time where things like Vietnam, Watergate, and political assassinations were dominating the country. All this darkness can cause people to forget about their spiritual side, and that idea is explored brilliantly. Chris Mcneil has chosen a very nonspiritual household for her and her daughter with their apparent dismissal of Cristian values. They don't go to church on Sundays and Chris constantly takes God and Jesus's name in vain throughout the film. Father Karas who is both a priest and a psychologist is also having conflicts regarding his faith, due to his guilt over his mother's death. He is even told he could have put her in a better hospital if he chose a full psychologist position instead of a priest position. This doubt exists even when Chris asks Karras for help with Reagen. Even after meeting Regan and seeing the strange things happening to her, he is still skeptical as to call it a case of possession. He tells Chris that Exorcisms rarely happen now due to the discovery of various psychological disorders.

Much like many great Horror films, The Exorcist is masterful in its slow-burn approach. The film draws you in thanks to the haunting atmosphere created by Director William Freidkin (who had recently won Best Director for The French Connection) and Cinematographer Owen Roizman. Let's also not forget the amazing music by Jack Nitzsche. The opening sequence in Iraq with the digging up of various demon and religious artifacts is a brilliant way of setting the audience up for the things that are about to happen. The actual possession is also handled in a similar way with Reagen's deteriorating state detailed from early signs of violent behavior to full-blown possession. This transformation is thanks in large part to Linda Blair's amazing work in her intense physical dedication to the role. This all eventually culminates in the climactic showdown in Regan's room which is the stuff of movie legends. It's a climax that the whole film has been leading up to and props to editors Evan Lottman and Norman Gray for crafting together so much tension and fear in one room. It also helps with the atmosphere that the room was actually very cold, the fact that you could see everyone's breath was genuine and not some effect. The amazing sound design that they used to bring the demon's vocals and screams to life is also quite something. Those disturbing groans and growls are terrifying.

Another thing that likely set this film apart from other horror films of the time is the amazing performances. I already mentioned how great Linda Blair is, but the rest of the cast certainly holds up too. Ellen Burstyn as Reagen's mother Chris is especially powerful in her growing desperation and fear over what's going on with her daughter and everyone giving the same no answer response. Jason Miller is also brilliant in showcasing the film's themes of religion in the modern world. His performance is effectively understated which adds to his believability. Max Von Syndox is also similarly effective as the older Father Merrin. Syndox's role is especially noteworthy when you realize the fact that Syndox is playing a character twice his age at the time. He's actually wearing more makeup than Linda Blair.

The Exorcist is one of the defining films of not just the Horror genre, but of the New Hollywood movement as well. William Friedkin has already established himself a legend of the era with The French Connection, and he brings those aspects to the horror genre brilliantly in a film that will leave you potentially with nightmares yet still have you coming back to it. It truly is one of the true Horror masterpieces that continues to haunt audiences and inspire filmmakers to this day.