LIFE The Exorcist
LIFE: The Exorcist
Not for the Faint of Heart • From a first-overlooked book to a movie that left viewers woozy, The Exorcist has stood the test of time with its “originality, its integrity, its skill, its lack of cynicism, and its morality.”
Rooted in Evil Opener • William Peter Blatty’s best-selling novel was both a profound exploration of faith and a shocking tale of demonic possession—a horrifying combo that proved made for Hollywood.
From Page to Screen • William Peter Blatty wrote a brilliant novel inspired by a real-life exorcism, and William Friedkin was the breakout director born to bring it to film. But without a few twists of fate, The Exorcist might never have happened.
The Real Exorcists • Actual instances of believed demonic possession are part of a long world history of beating back the Devil.
Film Frights Opener • The Exorcist was plagued by an exacting director, a massive special-effects challenge, and a shoot that went wrong at seemingly every turn. In the end, the movie worked because it felt real.
The Shoot From Hell • With an intense six months of production and flawless performances both in front of and behind the camera, The Exorcist felt, above all, real—just as its director wanted it.
The Score: “Tubular Bells” • It took a few tries, but eventually William Friedkin found The Exorcist’s sound—in a most unusual place.
The Makeup: Dick Smith • Behind every scary face, there’s a special effects story. And the makeup genius who made Regan MacNeil so frightening is a one-man textbook.
Meet the Cast • Together, they sound like the start of a bad joke: two priests, an actress, and a schoolgirl. But there’s nothing funny about the stars of The Exorcist. In fact, they’re seriously scary.
A Legacy of Horror Opener • Prequels, sequels, and spin-offs on film, television, and the stage: Half a century later, The Exorcist lives on because its themes are timeless, its questions ever-haunting.
The Extended World of The Exorcist • After the original story of Regan MacNeil’s possession scared up a ton of money at the box office, one thing was clear: There would be more.
Remaking the Original • Even after all their success together, writer and director disagreed for years about how The Exorcist should wrap up. Then they went and redid it.
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The Details in the Devil