This week on Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner, we’ll lend some pizzazz to Pazuzu, with a discussion of one of the most disturbing horror movies ever made.
When “The Exorcist” was released 50 years ago, the shock was so intense that there were widespread reports of viewers becoming physically ill, fainting, or fleeing theaters. My stepfather still thinks it’s the scariest thing he’s ever seen and recalls that he couldn’t stop shaking. Of course, you can’t buy that kind of publicity, and people lined up around the block in all weather for Warner Brothers’ hottest ticket.
Critical reaction was mixed, and it’s interesting to read some of the contemporary reviews now, with those who disliked it dismissing it as exploitation and those who praised it wondering why on earth anyone would ever want to put themselves through it.
William Friedkin’s transgressive masterpiece became the highest-grossing film of 1973 and established itself as the horror highwater mark of the decade. While the subject matter may be repellent, I challenge anyone to look away. It’s a resonant film, and a haunting one, particularly for those who remember seeing it at the time.
Now, I fear, audiences have become so jaded and desensitized, and so irreverent, that they may not be as impressed or even take it entirely seriously. Funny to see Roger Ebert expressing his concern about our thickening skins all the way back in 1973: “Are people so numb they need movies of this intensity in order to feel anything at all?” I don’t know, maybe I’ve become a little inured myself. When reading William Peter Blatty’s novel that inspired it, decades after the fact, I found to my surprise that it was not at all scary.
I stand by the movie, though, which is most effective in its theatrical cut.
The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn’t exist. It will be split pea soup for dinner, as Roy and I mark 50 years of blasphemy and obscenity with a conversation about “The Exorcist.” Bring your Ouija boards to the comments section. The power of Tie-Dye compels you, when we livestream on Facebook, YouTube, etc., this Friday evening at 7:00 EDT!
