Every Halloween, The exorcist revives as one of the most terrifying films in history. Directed by William Friedkin and released in 1973, this film not only left a deep mark on the horror cinemabut also added an aura of mystery and darkness by presenting real elements from its controversial filming. Inspired by a true story and famous for its disturbing scenes, this classic became a box office hit that laid the foundation for an entire genre.
The legacy of The exorcist It endures not only for its plot about demonic possessions, but also for the secrets that marked its production: accidents on the set, deaths linked to its actors and even the appearance of a serial killer among the cast. Halloween is the ideal time to revisit this film that continues to surprise and scare entire generations.
The real story behind The Exorcist and his “damned” filming
The inspiration for The Exorcist comes from a real case of demonic possession which took place in 1949involving a 14-year-old boy known as Robbie Mannheim. After the death of a family member, the family began practicing spiritualism, which led to unexplained phenomena. The priest William S. Bowden He was called to perform an exorcism that lasted for weeks, and his experience was documented, serving as the basis for the novel by William Peter Blatty.
During filming, a set of tragic events fueled the legend that the production was “cursed.” For example, a fire on the set destroyed almost all the facilities except Regan’s room, which was interpreted as a bad omen. Besides, several deaths surrounded the cast, including actors like Jack Mac Gowran and Vasiliki Maliaroswho died shortly after filming.
The actors also suffered real injuries during filming. Ellen Burstyn hurt her back in a key scene, and her scream was used in the film. The actress Linda Blair He also suffered an accident, further fueling the idea that the set was possessed. These events, along with the tragic story real, they created an aura of curse that persists to this day.
The combination of the real story and the tragedies during filming have contributed to the The Exorcist be a milestone of horror cinemaleaving a lasting mark on popular culture and being the subject of numerous analyzes and studies.
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The connection of The Exorcist with a real murderer and his impact on cinema
One of the least known aspects of The Exorcist is your connection with David Berkowitzthe serial killer known as the “Son of Sam.” In 1976Berkowitz claimed that his crimes were motivated by demonic voices that I listened to. Although there was no direct connection to the film, his case resonated at a time of growing interest in what supernaturalespecially after the success of The Exorcist. This connection, although indirect, highlighted the power of the film in the perception of evil.
The cultural impact of The Exorcist It is felt in cinema and television. The film set new standards for horror genrecombining psychological horror with graphic representations of the demonic possession. Later productions, such as The Conjuring and Hereditaryhave adopted elements of the narrative of The Exorcistshowing how the fight between good and evil can manifest itself in terrifying and emotional ways.
The depiction of possession and exorcism has also influenced how audiences and filmmakers view these experiences. Possession stories have continued to appear in film, carrying the narrative of The Exorcist to a variety of styles and contexts. Its critical and commercial success has generated a legacy that continues inspiring to new generations of filmmakers.
Finally, the impact of The Exorcist It goes beyond its own genre. It has been the subject of academic debates on the representation of evilthe faith and the human psychologymaintaining its relevance in the cultural conversation for more than five decades.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
