Is the Exorcist still as powerful a film as it once was or has it become a relic?

Question

I found it extremely effective to say the least when I saw it in 1973, but many young people I have asked seem to find it a laugh riot.

What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

The special effects take away from the psychology of the film. The priests go through real spiritual torment as the demon tricks their mind. That is far more interesting after the shock value wears off.
There is a book called Hostage to the Devil by Malachi Martin. He was an exorcist for years and wrote about five cases. I'm not even into the Christian supernatural and found it creepy as all hell. What made is spooky is the psychological unravelling by both the priest and the possessed. Hollywood had been trying to get their mitts on the rights to the book for years. He would never let them have it in case they turned it into a special effects horror show.
I see it's chapters online and been re-released.
http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/vatica…
A priest who studied demonology as a few words too:
http://reasontobelieve.blogspot.com/2007…

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Something to consider here. Thanks everybody.

Answer 2

Great film. Today's youth are morons.

Answer 3

I think the premise of the exorcist is still as powerful but with the special effects of today, most people wouldn't find the movie scary much less effective. Still spooks me though.

Answer 4

Riot

Answer 5

not scary at all nowadays because there's so many other newer mivies with better effects, and yeah. I happen to find possession mivoes kinda traumitizing, though... Couldn't sleep for months after Excorsism of Emily Rose. Just cuz of the 3 o'clock thing.

Answer 6

It's a cult classic..

Answer 7

Its a good movie but not as scary as 'Cannibal Holocaust' or 'The house on the left' or even 'I spit on your grave'. These movies released around the same time exorcist came out.

Answer 8

Laugh riot indeed.

Answer 9

I thought the book was much scarier than the movie.

Answer 10

It scared the living daylights out of me. Then I got saved and I know no evil thing can touch me.

Answer 11

i find it hilarious, but i don't believe that stuff.


so if you saw a film that was supposed to be serious, and it was about another religion's beliefs that you thought were a bit ridiculous, and then it was a poorly made film, wouldn't you laugh?

Answer 12

It was based on fact - although over-dramatised. The house in which it happened was raised to the ground.

Answer 13

It's a good movie, but Emily's scenes in the "Exorcism of Emily Rose" are scarier. You could also read "Hostage to the Devil".

Answer 14

SCARY! *hides*

Answer 15

I find it a powerful film, but I understand that it was based on a real story.

It, also, reminds me of the horrors of actual "exorcisms" where people were tied to the bed without food or water for days. Very frightening!

Source(s):

Non-Abrahamic Theist

Answer 16

I personally think that a lot of people who say it's funny are actually trying to hide their fear by laughing it off. The last time I saw 'The Exorcist' was when they re released it in theaters several years ago and it scared me all over again.

Answer 17

I was about 20.

I almost broke my friend's fingers, when I held his hand so TIGHT!
I didn't let go until that winch's head STOP TURNING!
I screamed so loud!

MY HEART WAS POUNDING HARD!
It took a long time for me to get rid of that image.

It' a Classic at its best!

Answer 18

It is still the true story taken from a true case. The case was one known by Malachi Martin, S.J. r.i.p. In his book, similar other cases are shown, because possession is so varied that people would not take them for diabolicalism had not excorcist Fr. Martin explained them for what they were.

Source(s):

Five Cases of Possession, HOSTAGE TO THE DEVIL.