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Exorcist,
The
(1973) |
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The special effects from 1974 may not quite match up to the digital age, but apart from that this film is a total stunner in every way. Brilliantly directed and acted, it is a powerhouse of a horror movie.
Sensational, memorable and enormously frightening. Could have been laughable, but is in fact relentlessly terrifying. Based on William Peter Blatty's novel about demonic possession, the film was lauded with no less then ten Academy Award nominations the year of its release, all thoroughly deserved. This has been one of the most influential films over the last 30 years or so and it went miles towards giving horror films some respect as serious cinema. The opening scenes set in an Arab country are as unnerving as any seen by this critic. Mike Oldfield's score spawned the hit "Tubular Bells" but the rest of the soundtrack is all chilling off key drones and whines. Friedkin manipulated colors very effectively as well, deliberately omitting warm, glowing shades for a bleaker look based on gray, green, blue and naturally, black. Great acting all around but especially by Ellen Burstyn as the tormented mother. A taut, tense and utterly compelling film.
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