"The Exorcist" (1973 - Hell yeah, it's that good, scary!!!

Rating: 10/10 (8 June 2010)

William Friedkin has a reputation in Hollywood as one of its great directors of fast-paced "chase movies." "The French Connection" (1971), the controversial "Cruising" (1980), and "To Live and Die in L.A." (1985) come to mind. "The Exorcist," his 1973 masterpiece of horror, is a chase movie in that regard, albeit a rather "contained" one, in that the "chases" all occur in one place, and don't involve cars, guns, or explosions.
"The Exorcist" has a reputation as the scariest movie of all time. I'm inclined to agree. I've never seen such horrific imagery from a movie in my life. Much of the ghastly imagery and scenery in "The Exorcist" still remains fresh in my mind. On top of that, I've never been so thoroughly unsettled by a horror film before. Before watching this movie, I knew (knew is italicized) that "The Exorcist" was the scariest movie of all time; I just needed to confirm it with my own eyes, and ears.
The chase elements in this movie come into play in its second half, when Father Damien Karras (Jason Miller) and Father Merrin (Max von Sydow) work together to save Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair) from possession by the Devil, and to "chase" it back to Hell. Regan is the daughter of actress Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn), who at first thinks her daughter is suffering from some sort of strange mental disorder, but is forced to face the horror herself in that fact that her daughter is possessed by unholy forces intent on dragging her kicking & screaming into the darkest depths of the demonic underworld.
Based on the controversial novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty (who also wrote the screenplay), "The Exorcist" is THE horror film, and essential viewing for any true fan of the genre. Some will agree, some will disagree, but I don't think that lessens the film's impact. I've never been so thoroughly shocked by a motion picture before; all the warnings I've received beforehand proved out to be true. The film relies on realistic performances, Friedkin's precision direction, innovative and ground-breaking special effects, mood, horrific imagery, and disturbing bits & pieces of dialogue for its effects on the viewer (basically anything uttered by then-14-year-old Linda Blair while under the effects of demonic possession).
I don't expect many of today's younger viewers to probably understand the significance of this picture, and its lasting effect on horror movie-making. They're too accustomed to gore and special effects. I should know, I'm one of them; I'm only 24, but I know powerful film-making when I see it. "The Exorcist" is the scariest horror movie I've ever seen. Don't believe me? Just watch it for yourself.
10/10