A good movie, but....

Rating: Null/10 (11 April 2001)

The super classic horror movie of all times??? Maybe. I haven't read all 300 odd comments, so if this repeats someone, sorry. One aspect that cannot be corrected about The Exorcist is the use of the music, or rather the non-use. There were numerous listings during the end title for various music that was "suppose" to be in the show, but wasn't. A joke by Director Friedkin. What wasn't a joke is the fact that Bernard Herrmann was slated to do this score, and was going to compose it on an organ in a cathederal in England. As a fan of Herrmann's music, I can only imagine what he would have done. For the un-enlightened: Herrmann started with boy-genius Orson Welles. Have you heard "Citizen Kane" or "The Magnificent Ambersons". How about "The Devil and Daniel Webster"? Okay, let's jump into the 50's. One of the greatest Sci-Fi scores: "The Day the Earth Stood Still". Many works for Hitchcock. How about the fantastic score assisting James Mason and party on their "Journey To The Center Of The Earth"? He did work on the "Twilight Zone" TV series. He gave us fantasy scores for "7th Voyage of Sinbad" & "The 3 Worlds Of Gulliver". Still don't remember his work, try this the original "Psycho", which was re-used by Danny Elfman (Batman, Sleepy Hollow) for the re-make (Mr. Elfman is a terrific composer, and would have given us, I'm sure, an excellent score to accompany the movie, but, can you really replace perfection?). Again from the 60's, the original "Cape Fear", and, again this score was re-used by Elmer Bernstein (The Magnificent Seven, To Kill A Mockingbird) for the re-make. Certainly Mr. Bernstein was capable of giving a worthy score, but, chose perfection again. Unfortunately, Friedkin didn't choose perfection, and we all lost what would probably be the scariest score ever written. THAT would have made this movie perfect, and THAT would have REALLY made it scarey!!! Don't think so, check out the original Psycho (not the remake, please, no offense Mr. Elfman). This score was done entirely with string instruments. No percussion, no horns, no winds, just strings. IF that didn't help scare you, then nothing will. Would The Exorcist be a better picture for this? Your damn straight it would. I'm sure that Mr. Friedkin would put his own spin on this, he already did in an interview years ago with Elmer Bernstein. His choice is what we have to live with, and we can only wonder the possibilites that were passed on. Shame to you Mr. Friedkin. Your movie is good, but dry. A good score, or even better, a great score, a score that would grab you like an icy hand on the back of your neck (does that sound familar Mr. Friedkin) would have REALLY helped here. The Exorcist reminded me of the first time I saw the 1931 "Frankenstein" and "Dracula". No music, and tho both were well made and rather creepy, they were both rather dry, due to the lack of a good score. (Note: Dracula has been updated with a quartet score by Philip Glass, the problem that I have with it is that it's more chamber music, NOT horror music. Sorry.)