As Influential Now as It was Then

Rating: 9/10 (23 September 2008)

I still consider The Exorcist the most influential movie I have ever seen as it had me question, as those involved intended, what it is that I believe. I grew up in a mixed home in that my mom was a devout Christian and my father was a devout atheist, and I dated a Jewish girl through most of my high school days. I never knew what to believe. My parents always wanted me to make up my own mind, but both attempted to influence me with their individual beliefs. I viewed The Exorcist on its re-release in 1975 (or so) when I was around 12 or 13. It scared, forgive the pun, the hell out of me, but more importantly, it made me THINK! I began to both read The Bible and books on the occult. In addition, I bought many scientific books as well to see what they had to say on certain religious themes. I am thankful for such an influential film as The Exorcist which began a five year journey for me to discover what I believe in. There are very few films that make one think about such heavy issues as life and death, heaven and hell, science and God, and so forth. Some films have a way of staying influential inspite of time and some go way beyond what their genre typically entails. While this is a movie, it much more than "just a movie". In addition, this film is definitely NOT just another horror story. The Exorcist belongs right up there with other influential classics such as To Kill a Mockingbird, Natural Born Killers, Roots, The Killing Fields, and Platoon, and other such thought-provoking films that either make a statement or ask us to make one. The very fact that after 30 years this film still has the power to move us speaks volumes to its importance and influence.