As far as horror movies go, everyone has a particular aspect of the genre that creeps them out. Whether it’s a depiction of demonic dolls, spirits, or even children whom a ghost has possessed—the possibilities are endless. Over the years, fans have seen a variety of spooky flicks, yet The Exorcist went down in history as one of the most unforgettable films ever created, so much that making it was pretty terrifying in itself.
A Fire Broke Out, and A Priest Came to Intervene
While The Exorcist was being filmed, a lot of weird stuff happened, much to the crew’s surprise. This prompted many people to assume that the project was possessed, especially when a fire broke out on the set. For six weeks, production was halted due to an accident at the MacNeil house, where most of the filming occurred.
Believe it or not, the only section that wasn’t burnt was Regan’s demonic bedroom, which is weird considering the story’s plot. In hopes of addressing the negativity surrounding the production, the management was left with no choice. A priest was summoned so that the cast and crew might feel more at peace, but it’s uncertain whether that approach even worked.
Barf Bags Were a Staple in the Cinema
While many films claim to be terrifying, only a few have caused individuals to become physically ill. Filmgoers were horrified and disgusted by what they witnessed when they viewed it in a theater. As such, many cinemas distributed barf bags when The Exorcist premiered in theaters due to the number of individuals who vomited all over the place.
For some, the movie was simply too much to bear. Moviegoers mentioned that they puked or left in the middle of it because they couldn't take it anymore. Indeed, no other horror film has had as significant an influence on the public as The Exorcist.
Bodyguards Were Hired to Protect Linda Blair
Throughout the decades, various horror films have been regarded as inappropriate by a variety of audiences. It is customary for flicks dealing with religious themes, such as The Exorcist, to exercise extreme caution when presenting particular views to the audience.
Since the movie was about a girl possessed by a demon, several sacrilegious actions were committed, which didn’t sit well with many. As a result of their shock and outrage, many filmgoers issued d**th threats to the young actress Linda Blair. The only way to protect the rising star was to have security with her for six months after the movie’s release.
Anyone Involved in the Movie Had Bad Luck
Sure, it might not be as common as one would think, but some actors and crew members have lost their lives during filming. Perhaps, the strangest thing about The Exorcist is that nine people who passed were linked to the film at some point.
Even more strange is the fact that both Jack MacGowran and Vasiliki Maliaros passed during the filming process, as did the characters they portrayed in the flick. It genuinely added another scary tinge to the movie’s reputation, making people want to watch it even more. Overall, a night watchman, a special effects specialist, and Max Von Sydow’s brother passed while working on The Exorcist, as did Linda Blair’s grandpa.
The Story Was Inspired by a True Event
Horror films may be frightening on their own, but when a genuine story inspires them, the tension is amplified tenfold. In the case of The Exorcist, it was based on William Peter Blatty’s novel of the same title, but it was also inspired by a story of a man named Roland Doe.
According to reports, the exorcism of Doe at a Missouri home in 1949 lasted for several weeks. Horrific accounts of what happened that night were well documented, with some saying that a demonic face suddenly appeared on Doe’s leg. In contrast, the people around said Saint Michael’s voice could be heard telling the evil entity to leave at once.
We Almost Missed the Iconic Spider Walk Scene
Everyone who has seen The Exorcist would agree that its iconic moment was the spider walk scene. The one where Linda Blair's character walked down the stairs while on backbend, or what's popularly known to yogis as the reverse tabletop pose. Aside from the scene being unforgettable, it is also one of the scariest.
Movie fans would be surprised to know that this particular section was not included in the film when it was first released in theaters. Director William Friedkin could see the wires attached to Blair's body double that he asked the stairs scene removed. With the dawn of computer-generated imagery or CGI, it became possible for the deleted to be added back to the home video version of the scary film.
Ellen Burstyn’s Scream Was the Real Thing
Screams are to be expected when watching horror movies. Ellen Burstyn, who played Regan's mother, Chris, was very effective in her role. Many would say her scream seemed to be authentic in one of the film's highlight scenes. We are referring to the possessed Regan, who began harming herself.
Of course, mom Chris came to the rescue and tried to stop what was happening, only to be shoved to the floor by her daughter. Burstyn let out a blood-curdling scream upon landing on the ground as if she was hurt. As it happened, the actress did injure her back because the wire attached to her was pulled too hard.
The Director Had Strange Techniques
We often hear about actors who are into method acting or the process where they live as their characters, even when not in front of the camera. It's the same with directors, especially those who believe in their film projects so much. For example, The Exorcist was probably considered a passion project of William Friedkin, hence his intense way of directing.
In the 2010 Blu-ray edition of the movie, it was shared that the director wanted genuine fear from the stars that he used strange techniques. There were moments Friedkin fired a g*n, then he also slapped actors just before filming scenes. Now we could understand why Ellen Burstyn called him a "maniac."
Tragedy Happened to the Demon’s Voice Talent
Aside from the incredible acting and makeup of Linda Blair, one of the things that made her character Regan scary was her voice. Some probably think that was the distorted speech of the young actress, but, as it happened, it was not. The demon's voice was provided by radio and film star Mercedes McCambridge.
According to the movie's director, William Friedkin, the talent went very far to make herself sound scary. McCambridge smoked, broke her sobriety by drinking al**hol, and even swallowed raw eggs to make her voice sound like a demon. Sadly, a tragedy happened to the actress in real life when her son took his own life after putting an end to that of his wife and children.
A Rejected Makeup Look Became the White-Faced Demon
Remember the white-faced demon in The Exorcist? Those who watched the movie cannot deny that the image is forever imprinted in their minds. The demon makes multiple appearances throughout the movie, most of them subliminally. That specific technique added an eerie effect to the film, making it scarier. Nonetheless, that particular face isn't one that was originally in the movie.
It was a product of makeup tests done on Linda Blair's body double, Eileen Dietz, that the filmmakers rejected. Still, they are used in the movie's final cut and teaser trailers. They probably realized that the makeup was so scary that it had to be put to good use.
The Coolest Set Ever
One thing about this movie is the fact that the working conditions went above and beyond what any sensible person could endure. The director was dedicated to getting the perfect shot by all means necessary. One way William Friedkin did this was by refrigerating the whole set.
This was meant to capture the breadth of the actors to show just how cold Regan's room was and it worked. The final shot looked incredible and we cannot applaud the cast and crew enough for pulling this off. In some BTS images, you can see everyone donning winter wear as they wait for their turn in front of the camera.
They Had to Get Creative on Set
In the '70s, CGI wasn't as effective and advanced as it is today, so filmmakers had to get creative with the prosthetics and practical effects. The Exorcist wasn't exempt from this situation, and the director came up with some ingenious ways to make everything as immersive and realistic as possible.
The incredible 360-degree head turn involved a dummy and stunning lighting effects to make it look realistic. If you're wondering about those camera angles, the crew was suspended by wires and pulleys to capture the money shot. Additionally, vomit sequences had tubes attached to Blair's chin, and they were responsible for the green slime that made the final cut.
The Art of Borrowing
The poster of The Exorcist is one of the most iconic movie posters in history. It clearly articulates the vibe of the movie without giving away too much by using exorbitant graphics and typography. It just shows the main character standing in front of the McNeil household with light from the windows bringing out his silhouette.
If you think you might have seen this image somewhere, you might be on to something. The designer, Bill Gold, borrowed inspiration from the famous painting by Rene Magritte known as The Empire of Lights. It's a bummer that the image is not an original piece but we are glad Bill went in this direction.
Too Scary for Comfort
It's no secret that the movie's premiere was one for the books. Several people had to be carried out by paramedics, while others never recovered from the experience. After all, it was 1973, and horror movies had a more significant effect than they do today.
The original trailer was banned in several cinemas for being too scary. Considering how edgy horror flicks have become, you might think this trailer is pretty tame but put yourself in the people's perception then. Several fans turned in their reservations for the trailer, forcing the studio and director to develop a less scary trailer.
An Odd Case of Suits
As if the previous fact is not odd enough, someone sued the studio for their experience. This lady passed out during the screening and broke her jaw. In her report, the defendant claimed the movie sent some subliminal messages to her, leading to her unfortunate injury.
In a fair world, we'd argue that the lady chose to go to the movie; hence her shoddy experience had nothing to do with the moviemakers or the studio. Unfortunately, after reviewing the claims and weighing their options, Warner Bros. decided to settle out of court for an undisclosed amount. That being said, we'd like to know what made the studio go this route.
Linda Blair Was Picked Out of 500 Actresses
Linda Blair’s portrayal of Regan in The Exorcist is one of the most iconic performances in the genre of horror movies. It is as if the role of Regan and Linda were made for each other, for it is a fact that about 500 actresses auditioned for the role, out of which Linda was the one who got picked.
Another interesting thing about her audition is the fact that Linda’s mother brought her to the audition without an appointment. The director decided to give her a shot since they had had very few good auditions, and she turned out just perfect for the role.
Regan’s Look Was Revised During Filming
If there is one thing that adds the most to the thrilling experience of the movie, it’s the look of the characters. When it comes to horror movies, makeup is, more often than not, the most scale tilting thing to a character’s horrific persona. Although very seldom, it does happen that the final look might be very different from the initial one.
Contrary to what you might think, Regan’s look was also revised throughout filming. Originally, the makeup made Regan look more like a demon which was changed by the director to include a few cuts here and there to depict self-inflicted injuries.
Jason Miller’s Reaction in the Final Scene Is Real
One of the most interesting accounts about the filming of the movie is the fact that Jason Miller was not supposed to take that projectile directly to his face. In the script, it was supposed to hit him in the chest; however, due to some technical glitches with the apparatus, it landed straight on his mouth.
Hence the reaction we see from Jason in the film is very real. Although he was not so happy about the incident, the director liked how the scene turned out in its first take and decided to keep it in the movie as it is. We think it fits the overall feel of the film very well.
Max Von Sydow’s Makeup Routine Was Too Hectic
While it is quite evident that Linda must have spent hours every day at the makeup station to become Regan, there is one more character whose makeup routine was just too much. From the outset, it doesn’t look like Lankester required extensive makeup before every take, yet it took four hours to prepare him every day.
Actor Max Von Sydow was only 40, playing a role double his age. Consequently, makeup artists had to work long hours to make him look old. The makeup was so convincing that Max even faced difficulty getting roles afterward, for people actually thought of him as that old.
Stanley Rubick Was the First Choice for Director
We all agree that William Friedkin did a splendid job and made The Exorcist into one of the best horror movies of all time. Yet, William was not the first choice to be the director of the film. The script was first sent to Stanley Rubick, who refused the spot because he liked developing his own stuff.
It was William Peter Blatty who insisted that William Friedkin be given the spot of the director. Although we love the movie as it is, we can't stop wondering how the film would have turned out with Stanley at the directing end.
It Was Nominated for Ten Academy Awards
Horror movies are not always considered classic works of television by major film awards like the Oscars. Some don't even gross high at the box office, and all this can be traced to the many controversies around such productions. The Exorcist had its fair share of criticism by disturbed viewers and religious zealots, yet, it was nominated for ten Academy Awards in 1974.
The movie's major feat was its nomination for best picture—the first-ever horror movie to be considered for that prize. Friedkin's horrific masterpiece also won the best adapted screenplay and best sound. For a low-budget film, these achievements are simply remarkable.
Pea Soup and Porridge Was Used for Vomit
With the many disgusting scenes in The Exorcist, it's no wonder that many viewers threw up in their seats, and passed out, among other things. Many of such scenes had vomit in them, like Regan's projectile vomiting on Father Karras's face. These vomit scenes were actually made from a mixture of pea soup and porridge.
Friedkin had to choose the brand of soup, and eventually, he decided on Anderson's low-cost pea soup. It was definitely the right choice as it looked real! Once again, Friedkin and his crew proved their ingenuity with whatever they could use to provide their audience with an unforgettable, horror-movie experience.
Destinies Were Fulfilled on Set
A lot of strange things happened during the making of The Exorcist. William Friedkin dealt with delays in his production, a burnt-down set, as well as issues with his cast. Regan's mother, Chris MacNeil, was also a problematic character for Friedkin as he had trouble finding the perfect actress.
Nonetheless, providence or the film's supernatural effect came through for him one day as he got a call from Ellen Burstyn, an unknown actress who claimed she was destined for the part. Despite the many factors against her, she got selected and eventually won the nomination for best actress in a leading role. With Burstyn's story, it's hard not to believe that there was something truly mystic about Friedkin's The Exorcist.
The Screenwriter Almost Removed the Rotating-Head Scene
Even after four decades, The Exorcist remains a very horrifying piece. Many have passed out, thrown up, and sustained injuries just by watching the demon-possessed lead character, Regan MacNeil. In one scene, Regan sits up on her bed and rotates her head 360 degrees.
Though that part was shot by a doll, it was still very terrifying. Screenwriter, William Peter Blatty almost had it removed from the overall production. It turned out to be one of the most disturbing scenes of the entire movie. No wonder Blatty wanted it removed. He was probably just as appalled as the rest of us.
Linda Blair Became Possessed by Her Role
Though that part was shot by a doll, it was still very terrifying. Screenwriter, William Peter Blatty almost had it removed from the overall production. It turned out to be one of the most disturbing scenes of the entire movie. No wonder Blatty wanted it removed. He was probably just as appalled as the rest of us.
As a demonic child, Regan made use of obscenities, and listening to her use such words is upsetting. Max Von Sydow, a fellow cast member allegedly forgot his lines out of shock at the little girl's use of profanity. Though young Blair wasn't really possessed by a demon, she most definitely was taken over by her part.
Original Halloween Star Could Have Played Regan
It is common knowledge how well Linda Blair did in playing the Regan MacNeil role. Yet, the role could have gone to Jamie Lee Curtis. Following her appearance in Halloween by iconic horror director John Carpenter, Curtis is surely a decorated horror star.
When Curtis was first asked to audition for The Exorcist, she was just 13. Her mother, however, rejected the offer. No jokes; it seems horror runs in the family. Curtis’ mother, Janet Leigh is well known for her excellence in horror movies as well. She is best known for starring in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho alongside Anthony Perkins.
The Crew Sure Invested Much in Sound Design
As opposed to many people thinking sound design may not mean so much to the success of a movie, The Exorcist did really pay a lot of attention to sounds. All through the movie, to get a perfect sound, the crew blended the voice of the demon with sounds from agitated animals.
It is also rumored that Mercedes McCambridge would often vomit raw eggs and mashed apples, all just to get the sound for some vomit scenes. The movie was so particular about sound that some sound effects came from the most unlikely places. Yet, they all worked to give the movie the perfect blend of creativity and mystery. One of such is the sound of Regan’s neck-snapping, which was gotten by twisting an old leather wallet with credit cards in front of a microphone.
People Believe Regan Was Not Possessed by Satan
There is still a widespread belief that Regan was not actually possessed by Satan but by another demon called Pazuzu. This is so because the name of the demon was not stated all through the movie, leading people to believe that Captain Howdy is the Devil himself.
This was, however, clarified when Father Karras expressed his skepticism about the demon being Satan. From all indications in the novel and the movie, based on the statue, Regan is actually possessed by the demon of the wind known as Pazuzu.
Marlon Brando Could Have Been the Priest
As with several high-classed movies, The Exorcist considered a number of actors for the lead roles. One of such roles is that of the priest which was eventually played by Jason Miller. The team had earlier considered Jack Nicholson and Gene Hackman for the role.
Another is the that of Father Merrin which Marlon Brando was considered for. Following his role in Godfather, Brando was well known in 1973. Regardless, William Friedkin didn't want the film to be tagged a "Brando" movie, so he disagreed with Warner Bros. when his name came up.
Linda Blair Was Also Scared of the Dummy
People often wonder if the fear they experience when seeing horror movies is peculiar to just them or if the actors also have a bit of it. One of such instances raising this speculation is Linda Blair and the dummy they used for certain scenes. Funnily enough, Blair was as scared of the dummy as the viewers when they saw the movie.
In behind-the-scene footage of where Regan turned her head 360 degrees, Blair expressed her fear as she had to sit next to the dummy in the makeup room. In an interview about this part, she did admit to being scared, stating that she didn't enjoy the experience of being in its presence and also believed that most people wouldn't enjoy the experience either, owing to the dummy's realistic nature. Almost all these scenes are etched in our memory, so it goes without saying that the actual actors of the movie were way more affected.