You're the Devil in Disguise...Oh Yes You Are!

Rating: 8/10 (26 October 2019)

Back in 1973 people lined up around the block to see the story of a young girl possessed by the devil. More or less tame by today's graphic violence, it was at the time, innovative.
The first part of the movie introduces us to the main characters. Father Merrin (Max von Sydow) is in Iran at an excavation looking for ancient ruins. He discovers an old demonic relic and then a statue of satan which to him is a premonition of evil. Back in the USA we meet rich and famous actress Chris MacNeil filming a movie in Washington. She lives in a luxurious home with her 12 year old daughter Regan (Linda Blair), her secretary/assistant Sharon (Kitty Winn) and two servants Karl Rudolf Schundler) and Willi (Gina Petrushka). The third main character Father Karras (Jason Miller) is caring for his aged mother and is questioning his faith.
Chris starts hearing things that go bump in the night and notices changes in her daughter's behavior. She takes her to all the best doctors who tell her that it is temporary mental condition that is to be treated with the drug Ritalin. Meanwhile, Father Karras' mother dies and he feels guilt over not being there for her when she passed.
At a party in Chris' home, her drunken director Burke Dennings goes after Karl a German, causing a clash between the two men. Regan enters and announces that Dennings is going to die. Later Denning's contorted body is found at the foot of a staircase beneath Regan's bedroom window, Detective William Kindeman (Lee J. Cobb) comes to the home to investigate. He talks to Father Karras and asks his advice.
Regan's condition worsens as she begins to take on an evil persona cursing and lashing out at those who try to help her. Her bed vibrates uncontrolably and she takes on a demonic appearance speaking in a satanic voice. Chris goes to Father Karras who is also a psychiatrist for help. He gets vomit in the face for his trouble. Chris suggests an exorcism which Karras cannot attempt to perform without church sanction.
As matters get worse, Fr. Karras goes to his bishop for advice. He suggests bringing Father Merrin an aging priest who had performed an exorcism years earlier. The two priest goes to the MacNeil home to attempt an exorcism. Regan plays on Fr. Karras' nerves as she taunts him over the death of his mother. Fr. Merrin cautions him to ignore the taunts. Then all hell breaks loose and....................................................................
Linda Blair is outstanding as the possessed child although Mercedes McCambridge provided the demonic voice for her. The whole cast in fact is superior. Burstyn as the frantic mother is excellent as is Miller as the guilt ridden Fr. Karras. Max von Sydow playing a character much older than his actual age also stands out even though he is absent for most of the central part of the film.
A classic horror film.