In this article, you will encounter the film that had one of the most famous gross-out scenes in the history of horror movies. It caused some people in the movie theater to vomit, as well as sent them home with nightmares. In The Exorcist, topics such as religion, faith, and demon possession were brought together into one horrific and disturbing plotline.
2. The Exorcist (1973)
Adjusted Gross: $747,541,800
Unadjusted Gross: $232,671,011
Main Subject: Demonic possession.
In Washington, DC, an actress is set up in temporary digs with her adolescent daughter, as she is filming a movie in the city. When the actress’s daughter begins to transform into a violent, unrecognizable child, her mother must seek the help of the church. Father Karras, a priest and a psychiatrist (who happens to be losing his faith) and the elderly Father Merrin (who has just returned from Iraq with forebodings of evil) will help to perform and exorcism on the child.
Facts About The Exorcist
The Exorcist was nominated for several different awards, but took home two statuettes: for Best Sound and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (William Peter Blatty).
Ellen Burstyn, who played the mother of the possessed young girl, agreed to star in the movie only if her character did not have to say the scripted line: “I believe in the Devil.” Producers agreed to remove this line.
The archaeological dig site that takes place in the beginning scenes of the movie is of the actual site of ancient Nineveh in Hatra, Iraq.
Mercedes McCambridge, who provided the voice of the demon in the move, had to sue Warner Brothers for credit that she participated in the movie.
Filming the Exorcist was a real nightmare for Ellen Burstyn, who walked away with a permanent spinal injury that occurred during the filming of the movie. Her injury took place during the scene that shows her being thrown away from her possessed daughter. At the time, a harness jerked her too hard away from the bed and she fell on her coccyx. The scream in pain that you hear in the movie is real.
Burstyn was not the only person who had a conflict with the movie, John Boorman was given the opportunity to direct the film, but turned down the chance because he felt the storyline was “cruel towards children”. He suddenly had a change of heart the next time around when he had the offer to direct the sequel, Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977), because he did accept that offer.
A lot of big names were called to take on the role of Chris MacNeil. Jane Fonda and Shirley MacLaine were both approached with an offer. Audrey Hepburn was also asked if she wanted the role, but only wanted the part if it could be filmed in Rome. Anne Bancroft was also given the chance, but she was in her first month of pregnancy and was dropped.
