Cast: Linda Blair, Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Jason Miller, Lee J. Cobb, Kitty Winn, Jack MacGowran
Director: William Friedkin
U.S. Distribution: Warner Bros.
U.S. Release Date: 12/26/73, 9/22/00 (revised release)
Running Time: 2:02 / 2:12 (revised)
MPAA Rating: R
Widely considered one of the best horror films ever made, The Exorcist boasts an Oscar-winning script by William Peter Blatty, skillful direction by William Friedkin and an incredible performance by 13-year-old Linda Blair (in a role originally offered to Dana Plato).
Blair is exceptional as the possessed child Regan MacNeil in bad need of an exorcism. Two priests (Max von Sydow and Jason Miller) come forward to battle the devil for Regan's life, even if it means losing their own.
Almost 27 years after its debut, a new version is in theaters ("The Version You've Never Seen") allowing a whole new generation of horror fans to experience it for the first time. As for the new cut, there are some subtle computer enhancements and the addition of Regan's "spider-walk" which was left out of the original version.
Today, the film remains a certified shockfest, retaining every bit of the terrifying drama that scared and sickened moviegoers all those years ago. About the only thing missing is the barf bags which were handed out at theater entrances during the film's initial release.
© 2000, Delton Perrodin