The Exorcist (1973)

Directed by William Friedkin

Rating

Comments

I watched this for the first time in its entirety in January 2024 so I think some of the impact was lost on me compared to those whose saw it during its first run in the movie theatres. It is still a great film which has been copied many times with many variations. Linda Blair was only 13 years old when filming began and she puts in a memorable performance. I know that the voice of the demon is not her own, but that's kind of the point. The atmosphere and the build up to the exorcism is slow but this only increases the tension. Future versions of this format look for places to include more jump scares and fancy effects, but this film does a far better job of achieving its goal.

Cast

Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil

Max von Sydow as Father Merrin

Lee J. Cobb as Lt. Kinderman

Kitty Winn as Sharon

Jack MacGowran as Burke Dennings

Jason Miller as Father Karras

Linda Blair as Regan

William O'Malley as Father Dyer (Credited as Reverend William O'Malley S.J.)

Barton Heyman as Dr. Klein

Peter Masterson as Dr. Barringer - Clinic Director (Credited as Pete Masterson)

Rudolf Schündler as Karl

Gina Petrushka as Willi

Robert Symonds as Dr. Taney

Arthur Storch as Psychiatrist

Thomas Bermingham as Tom - President of University (Credited as Reverend Thomas Bermingham S.J.)

Vasiliki Maliaros as Karras' Mother

Titos Vandis as Karras' Uncle

John Mahon as Language Lab Director

Wallace Rooney as Bishop Michael

Ron Faber as Chuck - Assistant Director / Demonic Voice

Donna Mitchell as Mary Jo Perrin

Roy Cooper as Jesuit Dean

Robert Gerringer as Senator at Party

Mercedes McCambridge as Demon (voice)

Paul Bateson as Radiologist's Assistant (uncredited)

Elinore Blair as Nurse (uncredited)

William Peter Blatty as The Producer (uncredited)

Mary Boylan as First Mental Patient (uncredited)

Dick Callinan as Astronaut (uncredited)

Mason Curry as Doctor (uncredited) (voice)

Toni Darnay as Violent psychotic patient (uncredited)

Eileen Dietz as Demon's Face (uncredited)

Joanne Dusseau as Senator's Wife (uncredited)

Bernard Eismann as Minor Role (uncredited)

Beatrice Hunter as Minor Role (uncredited)

Yvonne Jones as Bellevue Nurse (uncredited)

Don LaBonte as Minor Role (uncredited)

Barton Lane as Angiography Doctor (uncredited)

Ann Miles as Spiderwalk (uncredited)

Joan Neuman as 2nd Psych Ward Patient (uncredited)

John Nicola as Priest (uncredited)

Vincent Russell as Subway Vagrant (uncredited)

Gerard F. Yates as Priest Singing Around Piano at Party (uncredited)