Masterpiece of Horror

Rating: 8/10 (6 May 2002)

For sheer emotional and mental terror,"The Exorcist" stands alone as the single most frightening film ever made.Nearly 30 years after its premiere it still never fails to deliver.The screenplay and direction are one of the films major strengths,Friedkin knows how to build tension,he also knows how to develop realistic characters.The late, great playwright Jason Miller turns in the finest performance of the film (and of his career as an actor) as the doubting and troubled Father Karras. Miller shows us a very human and struggling priest,full of the desire to believe yet held back by his own inner demons. He was appropriately honored with an Oscar nod for this performance. Also strong is Max Von Sydow as the Un-nerving and Staunch Father Merrin,while Lee J. Cobb provides steadying support as Detective Kinderman.
Without spoiling the plot and outcome,Von Sydow and Miller provide an intense climax to the film during the exorcisim scenes, each one performance intensely showing what they are willing to give to free Regan from the possession. Overall an incredible film that has not dated or aged with the years.