11th Commandment : Do not play with the Devil.

Rating: 9/10 (17 May 2003)

Seriously, the consequences are terrible and they're shown through this movie. THE EXORCIST is simply excellent, and has to be the scariest movie of all time. No kidding. If you watch this movie objectively and knowing that the devil exists well you will have a frightening experience.
The plot is complex to understand. A 12 year old girl (Reagan) plays the Ouija Board invoking the spirit of a demon that uses the nickname "Captain Howdy". This demon is known as Pazzuzu. Let's not get into details about this "Captain Howdy".
Reagan soon gets possessed by this demon, but little she knows that her soul is in risk. Reagan's mother is desperate because her little daughter has been examined by many doctors and they just can't find an answer to her conduct. Convinced that her daughter has been possessed by an evil spirit, Reagan's mother asks the help of the young Father Karras keeping the faith that the priest is going to exorcise her daugher. After meeting the possessed girl, and filling the requisites of the Church in order to "declare" the girl as possessed, Father Karras realizes that an exorcism has to be practiced immediately. But he cannot perform it alone, so he asks the help of Father Merrin, a veteran priest that performed an exorcism years ago in Africa.
Both priests will risk their lifes in a battle with the devil, a battle which purpose is to free the spirit of an innocent girl.
This movie is shocking, and I mean shocking because it's based on a real situation... Think about this for a second: would you dare to play the ouija knowing that maybe you could invoke an evil spirit? Do you believe in the devil? ... If your answer is yes, watch the exorcist and have a good scare.

The excelent acting by Max Von Sydox, Ellen Burstyn, Jason Miller, and Linda Blair deserves a big recognition. Burstyn, Blair, and Miller were nominated for an Academy Award for their acting. The direction is simply masterful, Friedklin gets the feeling of evil and he portrays it with his camera. The scary music and the F/X are awesome for it's time. The scene where Father Merrin arrives to Reagan's house is one of the most memorable moments in cinematic history. Overall, this movie holds with dignity it's title of the MOST SCARIEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME. It's a shame it didn't win Best Picture in 1974.