The movie that launched a new era in horror films

Rating: 9/10 (19 March 2019)

One of the most profitable and controversial horror movies ever made. When young Regan (Linda Blair) starts acting odd (levitating, speaking in tongues) her worried mother (Ellen Burstyn) seeks medical help, only to hit a dead end. A local priest (Jason Miller), however, thinks the girl may be possessed by the devil. The priest makes a request to perform an exorcism, and the church sends in an expert (Max von Sydow) to help with the difficult job. There were reports of viewers fainting or vomiting in theatres when this was released in 1973, such were the reactions to scenes such as its young protagonist undergoing a realistic cerebral angiography and masturbating with a crucifix, and of course theres that head spinning showstopper. But behind the sensationalism is a strong storyline that deals with a lot of issues. The famous theme music is the piano-based melody which opens the first part of Mike Oldfields Tubular Bells.