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[Lan Dong Mik]

Best make up effects?

You bet.

http://www.creaturebuzz.com/the-exorcist-the-transformation-of-fr-merrin/

That is totally insane. I never realized that. Wow.

This movie actually never scared me too bad watching it as a kid, because I don't think I really understood why it was scary aside from a few scenes. I didn't appreciate it until just recently like 5 or so years ago. Shit is terrifying.

 

[diamount]

I know the effects were groundbreaking for the day, but they are just comical now. If they were a bit more subtle, it would have aged much better.

 

[brandonh83]

Did you do that?
Mmmhm

 

[Imperial Bishop]

Wow, that's insane. I was wondering how the actor was still alive after watching the movie

That surprised me as well when I looked him up. I fully appreciate how great the make-up and special effects team was for this movie.

 

[Vilix]

Agreed.

I was not expecting that last image OP.

It's been a while sense I've see the movie. When did this appear?

 

[Valjean Lafitte]

It's been a while sense I've see the movie. When did this appear?

I don't remember the exact scenes, but it's usually well hidden and only appears in dark scenes. It's supposedly the true face of Captain Howdy/Pazuzu.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

did someone say

PAZUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUZUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

 

[afternoon delight]

It's been a while sense I've see the movie. When did this appear?

Depending on the one of many cuts you saw, certain flashes may or may not have even been included- but there's always a few, even in the original.

 

[mattiewheels]

I just read about Exorcist II out of curiosity, and holy crap does it sound like a real mistake. The strange thing is that Scorsese apparently likes it more than the first one.

 

[nkarafo]

I always thought the most unsettling scenes were the ones in the hospital. They looked so cold, depressing and realistic. Like, you know, a hospital.

 

[swoon]

I just read about Exorcist II out of curiosity, and holy crap does it sound like a real mistake. The strange thing is that Scorsese apparently likes it more than the first one.

it's a real mess of the film - but it has a certain look/surrealism aspect to it that's going to appeal to some people.

 

[kinn]

Traumatized me since I saw bits of it when I was a kid. That face...

scariest film ever for me.

The sequel was an utter joke. Could not believe how bad it was. I read on IMDB about how people chased the creators out of the cinema on the premier.


Still cannot believe this hasn't been toppled as the scariest film ever.
And stop quoting that picture!

 

[ColdLasagna]

One of the best movie ever made. Can't really say enough about it.
Love the build, the tension and then the pea soup circus that followed.


Evil wins.

 

[-shadow-]

Best make up effects?

You bet.

I remember seeing him in the first couple of minutes of Episoce VII and being really surprised he still acts. I knew he was aged for the film, but man!

Oh, and having seen that infamous spider walk scene, I'm glad it was cut. It looks creepy, but it feels Iike one of those fast jarring shock scares that I'm glad the movie didn't have. Plus, it seems totally inconsistent with how Regan acted throughout the film.

http://youtu.be/gnxAnDcysvk

The scene as is is pretty good, as it was planned it looks outright hilarious.

 

[Guevara]

Really love this movie.

Pretty crazy that the Pazuzu idol is a real thing:

1. It's really called "Pazuzu"
2. You can see it in the Louvre.

I also love that this possession specifically isn't Satan. It's just a minor obscure demon. I think that's really important because it makes the horror more street-level.

 

[kavanf1]

Quite simply one of the greatest horror films of all time. "Your mother knits socks in hell."

You must have watched a version edited for TV. The actual line is "your mother sucks cocks in hell".

 

[Melchiah]

You must have watched a version edited for TV. The actual line is "your mother sucks cocks in hell".

I have a T-shirt, where that's printed on the back with capital letters. An English friend of my former in-laws didn't really appreciate it. =)

 

[D_prOdigy]

I also love that this possession specifically isn't Satan. It's just a minor obscure demon. I think that's really important because it makes the horror more street-level.

Agree with this.

Think the movie's a masterpiece.

Exorcist 2 one of the few films I genuinely fell asleep during.

Think Exorcist 3 is cool and underrated.

 

[Melchiah]

I also love that this possession specifically isn't Satan. It's just a minor obscure demon. I think that's really important because it makes the horror more street-level.

I wouldn't call it a minor demon.

In Assyrian and Babylonian mythology, Pazuzu was the king of the demons of the wind, brother of Humbaba and son of the god Hanbi. He also represented the southwestern wind, the bearer of storms and drought.

Mythology
Pazuzu is the demon of the southwest wind known for bringing famine during dry seasons, and locusts during rainy seasons. Pazuzu was invoked in apotropaic amulets, which combat the powers of his rival, the malicious goddess Lamashtu, who was believed to cause harm to mother and child during childbirth. Although Pazuzu is, himself, considered to be an evil spirit, he drives and frightens away other evil spirits, therefore protecting humans against plagues and misfortunes.

Interestingly, the last aspect was ignored in the film.

 

[mario_O]

Watched it again a few moths ago, and I didn't find it scary anymore.I don't think it has aged very well. Some scenes are ridiculous, like the girl crawling down the stairs like a spider. Or the whole bed scenes, they look incredible naive nowadays.

 

[Melchiah]

Watched it again a few moths ago, and I didn't find it scary anymore.I don't think it has aged very well. Some scenes are ridiculous, like the girl crawling down the stairs like a spider. Or the whole bed scenes, they look incredible naive nowadays.

That scene, which was removed from the original version, is a bit out of place.

 

[CadetMahoney]

1973!

Quite simply one of the greatest horror films of all time. "Your mother knits socks in hell."

 

[mariachi507]

I know the effects were groundbreaking for the day, but they are just comical now. If they were a bit more subtle, it would have aged much better.

Which effects do you have problems with?

It's been a while sense I've see the movie. When did this appear?

I believe in the theatrical cut (superior cut!), it only appears during the exorcism when Reagan is writhing on the bed.

The director's cut added a few other shots where the face appears on kitchen appliances and doors, it looks completely goofy too.

 

[Yautja_Warrior]

The third one is also worth a watch. You can definitely skip the second one.

Yeah the first is a classic, the second one is pretty poor but the third is a very good horror movie, well worth a watch.

Also with all the talk about jump scares, Exorcist 3 has one of the best jump scares in a horror movie. The combination of sound and the fact its totally unexpected is a great example of a jump scare done right.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7Yu8jCrJeg

 

[Melchiah]

I thought I'd share this interesting piece from Lucifer Rising book, which sheds some light on the unorthodox acting methods of Mercedes McCambridge, who voiced the possessed Regan.

Personally, I find Rosemary's Baby a more interesting film about the Devil, particularly for its moral ambiguity.

Here's what Illeana Douglas said about it.
https://www.criterion.com/explore/296-illeana-douglas-s-top-10

“What have you done to its eyes?”

How does a movie become a classic? Is it timing? Was it the dream-team collaboration of Paramount, Polanski, and Robert Evans? Was it producer William Castle, the mastermind who purchased the Ira Levin novel with plans to make it himself? Was it Mia Farrow, who had been painted with the brush of scandal after marrying Frank Sinatra? Did the devil himself have a hand in it? Whatever the reasons, my fascination with this film has never waned. There’s an enjoyment in watching Rosemary’s Baby that is similar to another gothic horror film, The Shining. It’s like listening to an album you love. Seeing the repetition of familiar scenes and faces. Shaking your head at Rosemary’s innocence as she tries to convince people that her neighbors might just be in a cult with Satan!

Another highlight is the production design and cinematography. Not a frame is out of place, and it’s beautiful to look at. It captures a kind of sixties avant-garde vibe. I get the feeling Warhol would have liked this film. There are all sorts of great exterior location shots of New York, and the Dakota building on Seventy-Second Street adds the right spookiness.

Does anyone remember or talk about what an amazing actress Mia Farrow is? Watch Broadway Danny Rose, and then watch Rosemary’s Baby. There’s some range there! Farrow as Rosemary has a beautiful, waifish glamour, enhanced by short dresses that make her seem more fragile and doll-like. John Cassavetes playing the “actor.” I love that he’s an “actor.” I love that his name is Guy! He makes a great prince of darkness. With his dark eyes and leering smile, well, you know he’s guilty of something the minute you see him. Then we have Ruth Gordon, who almost steals the film. Her caftan-wearing, mousse-making devil worshipper is the perfect amount of comic relief. I also love Charles Grodin as the fink doctor who squeals on Rosemary. Ralph Bellamy: terrifying! Every woman’s nightmare! Maybe that’s why I love it: Rosemary’s Baby plays on every woman’s fears. The man I married is different. Oh wait—maybe he’s sold his soul to the devil!

 

[Discotheque]

it's a real mess of the film - but it has a certain look/surrealism aspect to it that's going to appeal to some people.

Seeing a cool ass shot like this and knowing john boorman made it definitely has me interested. But I've heard from practically everyone that it sucked

But still I didn't know it had such an interesting look to it.

Anyways the first is an excellent horror movie and probably the only one that truly scares the shit out of me. Friedkin has done some great work even so far as this century

 

[Melchiah]

Yeah the first is a classic, the second one is pretty poor but the third is a very good horror movie, well worth a watch.

Also with all the talk about jump scares, Exorcist 3 has one of the best jump scares in a horror movie. The combination of sound and the fact its totally unexpected is a great example of a jump scare done right.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7Yu8jCrJeg

To my recollection, there was an article about the 3rd film in Fangoria back in the early 90's, that claimed the inclusion of the exorcism scene was forced upon the director by the studio.

There's a director's cut coming, and it's going to be interesting to see how it differs from the original. Unfortunately, some of the footage has been lost during the years.

http://bloody-disgusting.com/home-video/3406510/shout-factorys-exorcist-iii-directors-cut-detailed/

In speaking to the process of creating the director’s cut for this release, Blu-ray producer Cliff MacMillan stated: “We conducted an exhaustive search through a pallet of film assets from the original shoot to re-create William Peter Blatty’s intended vision. Unfortunately, that footage has been lost to time. To that end, we turned to VHS tapes of the film’s dailies to assemble the director’s cut. However, even some of that footage was incomplete, so scenes from the theatrical re-shoot were used to fill in the gaps. This director’s cut is a composite of varying footage quality from the best available sources.”

 

[nkarafo]

Which effects do you have problems with?

Other than the slime-green, fake looking vomit, everything else looks fine IMO.

If it was blood, it would have been much better (and scarier).

 

[Venture]

Kind of like the OP I realized I'd never sat down and watched the whole movie before so I watched it tonight. Not as scary as I was expecting but a really well crafted movie with excellent performances. The effects still look good to me too. I think the fact that things like the vomiting and head spinning are so iconic, and have been parodied for so long is what might make it appear comical to some.

One thing that stuck out to me though. The storyline with Burke's death and the detective investigating it seemed pretty much pointless to me. I could imagine it being completely cut from the movie without any effect. I guess there's some meaning to it but it was lost on me.