Be Gone ... to the theatre

Rating: 8/10 (23 October 2000)

Greetings again from the darkness. Back in the theatre 27 years after the initial release, and everyone with any interest should spend the $7.00 and check this out the way it was meant to be seen. This was William Friedkin's third consecutive, and last, great film (after "Boys in the Band" and "French Connection". Anyone under 35 years old can't understand the controversy and impact of this film on its original release. The giggles and laughter in the theatres are typically from those movie-goers who historically jump and scream everytime some clown in a hockey mask reappears to hack someone to death. If this is not your first time, pay special attention to Jack Nitzche's musical score. Nitzche, who died this year, composed music for some wonderful films including "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", "An Officer and a Gentleman", "Stand By Me", "Starman", and "The Hot Spot" (one of personal favs).He had an uncanny ability to capture the essence of the film in his music. Also admire Jason Miller's marvelously understated performance as Father Karras. He is now known as Coach Ara Parseghian in "Rudy". It is also fun to watch for some "set bloopers" (items misplaced or moved between scenes). A couple of tidbits from this one: the writer, William Peter Blatty also co-wrote "A Shot in the Dark", the first Inspector Clouseau flick; and the composer, Jack Nitzche also co-wrote the 60's hit "Needles and Pins".