The Exorcist (1973)
Average Rating: 7.9/10
Reviews Counted: 53
Fresh: 46 | Rotten: 7
The Exorcist rides its supernatural theme to magical effect, with remarkable special effects and an eerie atmosphere, resulting in one of the scariest films of all time.
Average Rating: 7.3/10
Critic Reviews: 10
Fresh: 8 | Rotten: 2
The Exorcist rides its supernatural theme to magical effect, with remarkable special effects and an eerie atmosphere, resulting in one of the scariest films of all time.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 380,690
My Rating
Movie Info
Novelist William Peter Blatty based his best-seller on the last known Catholic-sanctioned exorcism in the United States. Blatty transformed the little boy in the 1949 incident into a little girl named Regan, played by 14-year-old Linda Blair. Suddenly prone to fits and bizarre behavior, Regan proves quite a handful for her actress-mother, Chris MacNeil (played by Ellen Burstyn, although Blatty reportedly based the character on his next-door neighbor Shirley MacLaine). When Regan gets completely
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Cast
-
Ellen Burstyn
Chris MacNeil -
Linda Blair
Regan MacNeil -
Max von Sydow
Father Merrin -
Jason Miller
Father Damien Karras -
Kitty Winn
Sharon -
Lee J Cobb
Lt. Kinderman -
Jack MacGowran
Burke Dennings -
Ron Faber
Assistant Director -
Barton Heyman
Dr. Klein -
Vasiliki Maliaros
Karras' Mother -
Mercedes McCambridge
The Demon -
Donna Mitchell
Mary Jo Perrin -
Rev. William O'Malley
Father Dyer -
Wallace Rooney
Bishop -
Robert Symonds
Dr. Tanney -
Titos Vandis
Karras' Uncle -
Peter Masterson
Clinic Director -
Rudolf Schündler
Karl -
Roy Cooper
Jesuit Dean -
Robert Gerringer
Senator -
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All Critics (53) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (52) | Rotten (7) | DVD (10)
I loved it.
Top CriticIt's good stuff but, basically, The Exorcist is a museum piece, something to be enjoyed for its historical value, its datedness and its almost quaint shock value.
Some movies aren't just movies. They're closer to voodoo -- they channel currents larger and more powerful than themselves.
Friedkin and Blatty seem to care nothing for their characters as people, only as victims-props to be abused, hurled about the room, beaten and, in one case, brutally murdered.
The Exorcist is not an unintelligently put-together film, which makes one all the more impatient with it.
If movies are, among other things, opportunities for escapism, then The Exorcist is one of the most powerful ever made.
Friedkin's Exorcist holds up remarkably well.
This notorious battle between good and evil, nominated for eight Oscars when it was originally released in 1973, is both a hysteric scream and an intentional as well as unintentional hoot.
Essential viewing for anyone who loves cinema. If you can endure it...
succeeds best in developing its characters
There's something new to be discovered in every viewing of The Exorcist.
The Exorcist is likely just as disturbing today as it was 25 years ago.
But, is it just me, or is Karras's the only story that's really compelling?
It just never gets un-scary. That's the best part.
Trendsetting shocker about a possessed child.
An unforgettable horror film that doesn't just get under my skin - it stays there.
Its power lies in the slow and gradual way it pulls us in, coupled with director William Friedkin's ability to render every aspect utterly plausible.
The behind the scenes documentary is great and reveals how the use of practical, on set effects added to the success of the film.
The Blu-ray transfers look and sound better than ever, and a good, scary movie remains a good, scary movie no matter what the edition. (Blu-ray Book)
...the movie is right up there with the cinema's better chillers.
If it failed on all other levels (which it doesn't), The Exorcist would nevertheless be an excellent family horror story.
From the day of its first release in 1973, "The Exorcist: was the greatest horror film ever made, and it remains so to this day.
Audience Reviews for The Exorcist
Super Reviewer
Super Reviewer
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- Father Dyer: My idea of Heaven is a solid white nightclub with me as a headliner for all eternity, and they LOVE me!
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- Father Merrin: THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELS YOU!
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- The Demon: What an excellent day for an exorcism.
- Father Damien Karras: Really? You would like that?
- The Demon: Intensely.
- Father Damien Karras: But won't that drive you out of Regan?
- The Demon: It would bring us together.
- Father Damien Karras: You and Regan?
- The Demon: You and us.
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- Regan MacNeil: I got a lot of problems. I need help.
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- The Demon: Do you know what she did? Your cunting daughter...
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- Regan MacNeil: Mo-ther...Make it stop!
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Foreign Titles
- Der Exorzist (DE)
- L'Exorciste (FR)
