Blatty’s classic ‘The Exorcist’ raised the bar for screen horror

THE EXORCIST (1973)

By TERRY R. CASSREINO

Rarely does a major motion picture succeed in frightening you while also challenging your core beliefs.

William Peter Blatty’s “The Exorcist” does just that. It’s an extremely effective and frightening film. It’s well directed by a film maker at the top of his game. And it’s a classic motion picture that has never been topped.

“The Exorcist” also is one of the most intently personal and religious stories ever put to film. This film firmly believes in the existence of good and evil, of God and Satan, and it dares you to do the same.

William Friedkin was fresh off directing the award-winning “The French Connection” when he took on Blatty’s best-selling novel. Blatty produced the film and wrote the script – which was based on the true story of the exorcism of a young boy.

As the “The Exorcist” opens, a little girl and her mom are living in a rental home in Georgetown when strange things begin to happen. Eventually, Chris MacNeil begins to believe her daughter, Reagan, is possessed by a demon. Beds levitate, bodies fling, heads spin 360 degrees. And you believe it all.

Top Five Week at Sneak Prevue continues. Today’s edition: The Top Five Horror Films.

Nothing can top the disastrous excess of ‘Exorcist 2’

EXORCIST 2: THE HERETIC (1977)

By TERRY R. CASSREINO

Between Richard Burton’s bizarre overacting and the incomprehensible and totally preposterous plot, “Exorcist 2: The Heretic” makes you wonder what the film makers were thinking.

Director John Boorman and company faced an uphill battle from the start: They attempted to create a sequel to the most frightening horror film of all time. That they failed is no shock.

What is surprising, however, is the depth of the failure. From the acting to the writing, directing and special effects, this movie is a major, high-profile train wreck.

Boorman frantically tried to salvage the film by re-editing it days after its initial release. But his efforts made a disastrous film worse. “Exorcist 2: The Heretic” is, without a doubt, the single-worst motion picture sequel ever to grace the big screen.

Welcome to Top Five week at Sneak Prevue. Today’s edition: The Top Five Worst Film Sequels.