20 Things You Didn't Know About The Exorcist
6. Th Film Was Banned Extensively In The UK
The Exorcist was banned in many theatres throughout the UK after its release in 1974. Some towns even had to organise special bus services to carry cinema-goers to nearby towns which were showing the film.
Protests were held by local clergymen. Letters and petitions were sent to the government calling for the film to be banned nationwide. A couple of counties in Wales took matters into their own hands and banned the film regionally.
Despite being released on home video in 1981, the film would be banned from being distributed in the UK a few year years later amid concerns about underage viewing. The Exorcist would not be made available for purchase again until after the successful 1998 re-release of the film in UK cinemas, with a new home video release being approved for the following year.
It's fair to say the film made some serious waves after crossing the pond.