46 Days to Halloween- 1973 The Exorcist

Over the next 100 days, I will present one movie of significances in horror, suspense or thrillers for each year from 1919 to 2018. The next film presented here is 1973 supernatural horror "The Exorcist" starring Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, Max von Sydow, Jason Miller and directed by William Friedkin.

The Exorcist (1973)

Dir- William Friedkin

A generation before Psycho proved that a horror movie could be very serious and intense, William Peter Blatty wrote the story from which this shocking classic is based. A young girl played by Linda Blair is taken ill and when conventional treatment fails the mother turns to the church. Two priests are dispatched, one an old man of firm belief and the other a troubled young soul who have lost faith. It is up to them to combat the demonic forces that inhabit the poor girl. The film is best known for the head-spinning FX and vomiting scenes. Such a groundbreaking movie in the field of horror that it reinvented the genre by introducing the concept of Demonic possession. In effect, the Exorcist put three companies out of business, AIP, Amicus, and Hammer. A shocking film, which even to this day, still frightens the audience of all ages. Followed by two sequels, two prequels and a whole slew of quickie imitations.