More than 40 years since The Exorcist first thrilled audiences, you can say this much about William Friedkins movie: no subsequent religious-themed horror movie was as shocking, well mounted or suspenseful as his signature film. Religious horror pictures are dull dull dull (see: any movie with Exorcism or Possession in the title, plus the sequels), but not only does The Exorcist live up to the hype (the most electrifying thing that will ever happen to you, the ads read), it throws in some still-powerful images. Watching Linda Blair perform unladylike acts with a crucifix is one thing, but how many films could show her throwing a doctor across the room without ending up as a laugh riot? When people say they dont make em like they used to, this is the film they have in mind.
Ian Watson is the author of 'Midnight Movie Madness', a 600+ page guide to "bad" movies from 'Reefer Madness' to 'Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead.'
