History Film / TheExorcist

* Narm: The whole friggin' movie.

-->*Sandra's eyes get as big as dinner plates*

* TheCameo: ''The Exorcist III'' is full of them. Fabio makes his first screen appearance in the DreamSequence, along with Patrick Ewing as The Angel Of Death, while other Washington, DC personalities such as then-Georgetown head coach John Thompson walking around.

* DeathByAdaptation: [[spoiler:Gemini's Father]] is a Type 2 example. In Legion, the novel this installment was based on, [[spoiler:he dies of natural causes, and his death causes the Gemini to lose all his motivation because he can no longer bring him shame and grief]]; in the movie, [[spoiler:he was the Gemini's first victim; after this, the Gemini kept on murdering so he could figurtively continue to kill his father forever]].

* TroubledProduction: William Friedkin was on full PrimaDonnaDirector mode, [[BadBoss abusing the cast and crew]] (see also EnforcedMethodActing above) and leading the film over budget and past schedule. To make it worse, incidents lead people to believe the set was cursed.

* ItAmusedMe / ForTheEvuls: Burke Dennings enjoys tormenting the housekeeper Karl simply because he can. [[spoiler: After Burke's death, the possessed Regan spends quite a bit of time speaking in Burke's voice and continues to torment Karl.]]

* ItAmusedMe/ForTheEvuls: Burke Dennings enjoys tormenting the housekeeper Karl simply because he can. [[spoiler: After Burke's death, the possessed Regan spends quite a bit of time speaking in Burke's voice and continues to torment Karl.]]

* ItAmusedMe: Burke Dennings enjoys tormenting the housekeeper Karl simply because he can. [[spoiler: After Burke's death, the possessed Regan spends quite a bit of time speaking in Burke's voice and continues to torment Karl.]]

** This is why Friedkin originally cut out the spider-walk scene. He knew that if the audience spent the whole movie wondering if/when Regan was going to leave the bedroom and attack somebody, it would distract from the drama unfolding outside. That's right: a scene where a demon-possessed CreepyChild walks backwards down a staircase and vomits blood was cut out because it was ''less scary'' than a mother's angst over her child's well-being.

** This is why Friedkin originally cut out the spider-walk scene. He knew that if the audience spent the whole movie wondering if/when Regan was going to leave the bedroom and attack somebody, it would distract from the drama unfolding outside. That's right: a scene where a demon-possessed CreepyChild [[HighOctaneNightmareFuel walks backwards down a staircase and vomits blood]] was cut out because it was ''less scary'' than a mother's angst over her child's well-being.

* PosthumousCharacter: Thomas is killed either before the movie even starts or right after the opening credits (depending on how much of the credits sequence was just Patient X's dream), but is a big reason for Kinderman's personal interest in the case, actually shows up in Kinderman's nightmare, and let's not get started on [[HighOctaneNightmareFuel how he plays into the climatic showdown]].

Based on a novel by William Peter Blatty, [[VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory and inspired by]] what was supposedly ([[http://www.examiner.com/history-in-baltimore/the-not-so-real-life-story-that-inspired-the-exorcist it's been disputed]]) [[ButItReallyHappened an actual documented exorcism]] from 1949, ''TheExorcist'' is the terrifying, shocking tale of an originally rather cute 12-year-old girl named Regan and the efforts of her mother, a famous ex-actress, her mom's secretary Sharon, and a pair of priests to save the poor girl's soul from the ravages of a powerful, malign entity called Pazuzu.

* EvilPlan: ''TheExorcist'' is [[spoiler: Pazuzu's revenge on Fr. Merrin for evicting him from a child in Africa.]]

* StealthSequel: WordOfGod states that ''The Ninth Configuration'' is the true sequel to ''TheExorcist''. According to ThatOtherWiki, the astronaut in ''TheExorcist'' is Captain Cutshaw in ''The Ninth Configuration''. In the book series, several unused pieces of dialogue from ''TheExorcist'' were used in ''The Ninth Configuration'' instead.

* VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory: ''TheExorcist'' was inspired by an actual exorcism performed in a Jesuit hospital in St. Louis.

* DreamSequence. ''TheExorcist III'', for NightmareFuel.
* ExecutiveMeddling: The ending was reshot at the insistence of the producers, because they wanted an actual exorcism in the film. They also forced William Peter Blatty to title the film ''TheExorcist III'' instead of his preferred title, ''Legion''.

* HannibalLecture. Brad Dourif actually ''out-[[HannibalLecture Hannibal Lectures]] Hannibal Lecter''; ''TheExorcist III'' was released a year ''before'' ''TheSilenceOfTheLambs''.

* LargeHam. ''TheExorcist III'' has George C. Scott in his hammiest role, ever.

Angie: hey hey hey Sarah.

Sarah: Hey do you like running.

Brandon:Um, hey ya well u quit talkin about me and Colin during lunch?

Angie:Um, i wasnt why were u?

Lauren C: Cause ya it sure seemed it!! :{

Sarah: It really did i saw it.

Angie it was pretty easy to tell that u were faking so ya just saying :O

Angie has left the conversation.....................................

Brandon has left the conversation.......................................

Sarah and Lauren C. has left the conversation

[[quoteright:351:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/b5182t.jpg]]
Based on a novel by William Peter Blatty, [[VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory and inspired by]] what was supposedly ([[http://www.examiner.com/history-in-baltimore/the-not-so-real-life-story-that-inspired-the-exorcist it's been disputed]]) [[ButItReallyHappened an actual documented exorcism]] from 1949, ''TheExorcist'' is the terrifying, shocking tale of an originally rather cute 12-year-old girl named Regan and the efforts of her mother, a famous ex-actress, her mom's secretary Sharon, and a pair of priests to save the poor girl's soul from the ravages of a powerful, malign entity called Pazuzu.

Initially manifesting as strange behavior in little Regan and her Ouija-board trysts with an [[ImaginaryFriend invisible companion]] calling itself Captain Howdy, the being's infiltration is at first dismissed as Regan acting out frustrations after her mother's divorce. As the demon takes hold of Regan, however, she undergoes drastic changes in appearance and behavior, manifesting physical symptoms and incredible strength that cannot be explained by medical science. After Regan starts gliding around the house on all fours ''face up'', licking Sharon's ankles, her mother decides that it is time to consult a higher authority...

The original movie is considered one of the best horror movies of all time, and was followed by two sequels and (for complicated reasons) two versions of the same prequel, with varying levels of quality and success from each of them.
----
!! This Movie Contains Examples of:
[[AC:General]]
* BigBad: Pazuzu
* DemonicPossession: Present and accounted for, sir!
* {{Exorcist Head}}: {{Trope Namer}}
* FantasticCatholicism
* IAmNotSpock: Linda Blair.
* ReligionIsMagic
* ReligiousHorror: The first movie was part of a cycle of "[[CreepyChild demonic children]]" movies that started with ''RosemarysBaby'' and continued with ''TheOmen''.

[[AC: The Novels]]
* DrivenToSuicide: [[spoiler:The Gemini Killer]] in ''Legion''.
* EvilVersusEvil: The theme of "evil against evil" is prevalent, starting with Merrin's archeological trip to Northern Iraq where he finds a demon statue that the natives stated was an evil artifact to combat evil. This foreshadows Karras' "evil act" of [[spoiler: accepting Pazuzu into himself, to save Regan]].

[[AC:The Exorcist]]
* AbnormalLimbRotationRange
** ExorcistHead
* AdultFear: Father Karras is deeply depressed about choosing a life of poverty instead of becoming a rich doctor - and both his uncle ''and'' mother give him a WhatTheHellHero about it. Made worse that he can't afford to give his mother proper health care when she goes insane, and she dies alone in her squalid apartment. Pazuzu exploits this fully.
** Regan's possession also counts. The idea of a mother being unable to save her child from a mysterious, unexplainable disease that [[ThatThingIsNotMyChild completely wipes out her mind and personality]] is ''far'' scarier than any monster or demon.
** This is why Friedkin originally cut out the spider-walk scene. He knew that if the audience spent the whole movie wondering if/when Regan was going to leave the bedroom and attack somebody, it would distract from the drama unfolding outside. That's right: a scene where a demon-possessed CreepyChild [[HighOctaneNightmareFuel walks backwards down a staircase and vomits blood]] was cut out because it was ''less scary'' than a mother's angst over her child's well-being.
* AffectionateParody: ''{{Repossessed}}'', starring Leslie Nielsen and Linda Blair AdamWesting.
* BigNo: Karras just before [[spoiler: he kills himself to prevent Pazuzu, who has gone inside of him, from killing Regan.]]
* BrownNote: [[http://theexorcist.warnerbros.com/cmp/silencebottom.html Many sound effects were put in (sometimes deep in the mix) to make it more unsettling]] - for instance, pigs being herded for slaughter and [[EverythingsWorseWithBees angry bees]].
* CATTrap: As one transcript puts it, "a huge machine, two pieces on either side of Regan's head and a piece above."
* ChristianityIsCatholic: Justified. Any reference to the original Lutheran clergy that Regan's mom consulted was left out, perhaps because Lutherans have no exorcism tradition.
* ClusterFBomb: And how.
-->'''Regan/Demon:''' Let Jesus fuck you! Let Jesus fuck you! Let Him fuck you!
-->'''Regan/Demon:''' [[http://www.btinternet.com/~schwa/fuckme.wav Fuck me! Fuck me!]]
* {{Confessional}}: A field confession occurs at the end of the first movie.
* DaylightHorror: Most of the scariest scenes happen during the day; notably, the head-spinning scene.
* EnforcedMethodActing: Many times. The director was kind of a wingnut about that.
** Special mention must go to the shot where Ellen Burstyn is "thrown" by Regan across the room and her back hits the tallboy. Burstyn to be forcibly thrown and dragged with a wire harness, giving her a spinal injury that's plagued her her whole life. Her scream of pain is real.
* EvilSoundsDeep: A twelve-year-old girl should not sound like Mercedes [=McCambridge=].
* EvilPlan: ''TheExorcist'' is [[spoiler: Pazuzu's revenge on Fr. Merrin for evicting him from a child in Africa.]]
* FakeOutOpening: The movie begins with an archeological dig.
* GoodShepherd: Fr. Merrin.
* GroinAttack: Self-inflicted (sort of), with a crucifix, as Regan uses it as a dildo.
* HolyBurnsEvil: Demon-possessed Regan's reaction to what a priest says is holy water.
* MoodMotif: It's all about the Ominous Bells here...
* TheObiWan: Father Merrin in his mentor role to Father Karras. Subverted, in that [[spoiler: neither of them make it out alive]].
* PlaceboEffect: Subverted. Regan screams in pain when Father Karras douses her with tap water, which he claims is holy water. Later, it's implied that Pazuzu intentionally did this to fool Karras into thinking that Regan wasn't really possessed. When he douses her with ''real'' holy water in the exorcism scene, the screams are real.
* ReCut: An extended director's cut of the original film, marketed as "The Version You've Never Seen" and containing several minutes of additional material (including a scene of Blair's character "spider-walking" down a staircase which Friedkin had [[DeletedScene deleted]] from the original cut due to technical problems, and which bore no resemblence to the spider walk in the book), was released to theaters in 2000.
** It is generally disregarded by fans and critics. As RogerEbert put it in his [[http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20000922/REVIEWS/9220302/1023 review]], "'The version you've never seen.' No, and you don't need to, either."
* StealthSequel: WordOfGod states that ''The Ninth Configuration'' is the true sequel to ''TheExorcist''. According to ThatOtherWiki, the astronaut in ''TheExorcist'' is Captain Cutshaw in ''The Ninth Configuration''. In the book series, several unused pieces of dialogue from ''TheExorcist'' were used in ''The Ninth Configuration'' instead.
* SubliminalSeduction: Images of a demonic face are periodically flashed throughout the film.
* TakeMeInstead
* ThatThingIsNotMyChild: Literally, in Chris' impassioned speech to Father Karras.
* VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory: ''TheExorcist'' was inspired by an actual exorcism performed in a Jesuit hospital in St. Louis.
** Also, Pazuzu was not simply a name invented for the books/film. It's the name of an evil demigod/demon in ancient Mesopotamian mythology who ruled over [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking disease, pestilence, and the heat of the mid day sun]].
* VoiceOfTheLegion: Pazuzu invokes this when possesing Regan, but Merrin confirms that it's a trick and that there is only ''one'' demon inside of the girl.
* VomitIndiscretionShot: The most well-known example of someone blowing chunks on screen ''ever''.
** Though, actually, Regan isn't regurgitating. She's spitting up loads of bile - [[FridgeHorror which is worse]].
* WhoYouGonnaCall
* XanatosGambit: Pazuzu tries to do this; either the priest or the girl but the priest decides to TakeAThirdOption
* YourMom: "'''''[[MemeticMutation YOUR MOTHER SUCKS]] [[{{Narm}} COCKS IN HELL!!!]]'''''"

[[AC:Exorcist II: The Heretic]]
* CanonDiscontinuity
* EvilDoppelganger
* {{Flashback}}
* GenreShift: It's difficult to say exactly ''what'' genre this film falls under, but it most definitely isn't horror.
* LargeHam: Weirdly enough, Richard Burton ''underacts'' as aggressively as he overacts in some scenes.
* MindScrew: The whole friggin' movie.
* OneWomanWail: There's a recurring one on the soundtrack.
* PosthumousCharacter: [[spoiler:Father Merrin]]
* PsychicPowers: [[spoiler: Regan has them.]]
* SheIsAllGrownUp: My, how little Regan has grown. Most of the movie has her in some form of revealing clothing. And then there's the tap dancing scene.
* WrittenInAbsence: Ellen Burstyn didn't come back to reprise her role of Chris [=MacNeil=], so they just say that she's away on work.

[[AC: The Exorcist III]]
* ActorAllusion: Lee Richardson states that his favourite movie is TheFly.
* AndIMustScream: [[spoiler:Father Karras, due to being the host of the Gemini Killer.]]
* AscendedExtra: Kinderman is now the main character, [[AuthorExistenceFailure New]] [[TheOtherDarrin actor]] notwithstanding
* [[spoiler:BackFromTheDead:]] Deconstructed like '''hell''' with [[spoiler:Father Karras]].
* BerserkButton
-->'''Kinderman:''' The Gemini is dead.
-->'''Patient X:''' NO! I'M NOT! I'M ALIVE! I GO ON! I BREATHE! LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME!
* BigNo
* BiggerBad: [[WordOfGod William Peter Blatty]] goes so far to suggest that the evil spirit might not be Pazuzu this time, but might actually be Satan himself, although this raises questions as to why the head of all demons would [[spoiler:be interested in [[TheDevilIsALoser petty revenge as opposed to something more grandoise]].]]
* [[spoiler:BodySurf]]
* TheCameo: ''The Exorcist III'' is full of them. Fabio makes his first screen appearance in the DreamSequence, along with Patrick Ewing as The Angel Of Death, while other Washington, DC personalities such as then-Georgetown head coach John Thompson walking around.
* CanonDiscontinuity: Despite its name, the third movie completely ignores the second. It was probably for the better...
* CanonForeigner: Father Morning wasn't in any of the books, and was added into the film because the producers wanted there to be an actual exorcism scene.
* CeilingCling: There is a very creepy moment where an old woman skitters by the protagonist... on the ceiling.
* {{Confessional}}: A brutal murder occurs in one offscreen.
* DeathByAdaptation: [[spoiler:Gemini's Father]] is a Type 2 example. In Legion, the novel this installment was based on, [[spoiler:he dies of natural causes, and his death causes the Gemini to lose all his motivation because he can no longer bring him shame and grief]]; in the movie, [[spoiler:he was the Gemini's first victim; after this, the Gemini kept on murdering so he could figurtively continue to kill his father forever]].
* TheDragon: The Gemini Killer to the evil spirit who is helping him.
* DreamSequence. ''TheExorcist III'', for NightmareFuel.
* ExecutiveMeddling: The ending was reshot at the insistence of the producers, because they wanted an actual exorcism in the film. They also forced William Peter Blatty to title the film ''TheExorcist III'' instead of his preferred title, ''Legion''.
** Test audiences wanted someone from the original film to appear, so they hired [[spoiler:Jason Miller]] and reshot the Patient X scenes. In ''this'' case, it worked, since there was a clear division between The Gemini Killer and [[spoiler: Father Karras]].
* EvilSoundsDeep: When played by Brad Dourif, the Gemini Killer's voice changes pitch several times in each of his scenes, and often goes unnervingly low; people who have seen Dourif in other movies would likely be very creeped out by how much lower than Dourif's natural range the voice gets.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: "Do you dance?"
* HannibalLecture. Brad Dourif actually ''out-[[HannibalLecture Hannibal Lectures]] Hannibal Lecter''; ''TheExorcist III'' was released a year ''before'' ''TheSilenceOfTheLambs''.
-->'''The Gemini Killer:''' It's too bad about Father Dyer. I killed him, you know. An interesting problem, but finally... it worked! First, a bit of the ole succinylcholine to permit one to work without, ah, annoying distractions, then... a three foot catheter threaded directly into the inferior vena cava -- or, superior vena cava. It's a matter of taste, I think, don't you? Then the tube moves through the vein, under the crease of the arm, into the vein that leads directly into the heart, and then, you just hold up the legs and you SQUEEZE the blood manually into the tube from the arms and the legs. There's a little shaking and pounding at the end for the dregs -- it isn't perfect, there's a little blood left I'm afraid. BUT, regardless, the overall effect is astonishing! And isn't that REALLY what counts in the end? Yes, of course, GOOD SHOW BIZ, Lieutenant, the EFFECT! And then, off comes the head without spilling one single drop of blood. Now I call that SHOWMANSHIP, Lieutenant!
* [[spoiler:IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight]]
* JawsFirstPersonPerspective
* LargeHam. ''TheExorcist III'' has George C. Scott in his hammiest role, ever.
-->'''Kinderman:''' Yes, I believe... I believe in death. I believe in '''disease''''. I believe in injustice and inhumanity and torture and anger and hate... I believe in murder. I BELIEVE IN PAIN. I believe in cruelty and infidelity. '''''I believe in slime and stink and every crawling, putrid thing... every possible ugliness and corruption, YOU SON-OF-A-BITCH! I BELIEVE...''''' in you.
** Meanwhile, Brad Dourif's The Gemini Killer {{Lampshades}} this after an outburst ("But the main thing is the torment of [[spoiler:your friend Father Karras]] as he watches while I '''''rip and cut and mutilate the innocent, his friends, and again, and again, on and on! HE'S INSIDE WITH US! HE'LL NEVER GET AWAY! HIS PAIN WON'T END!''''') he sheepishly apologizes: "Gracious me. Was I raving? Please forgive me. I'm mad."
* [[spoiler:LittleDeadRidingHood]]
* [[spoiler:MercyKill]]
-->'''Patient X:''' [[spoiler:We won, Bill...now...free me.]]
* NothingIsScarier: Most of ''The Exorcist III'' derives its horror from implication and verbal speeches. ''And it works.''
* TheNthDoctor: The Gemini Killer switches actors depending on whether the audience is seeing things from Kinderman's perspetive (in which he's played by [[spoiler:Jason Miller]]) or from the "eyes of faith" perspective (where he's played by Brad Dourif).
* PosthumousCharacter: Thomas is killed either before the movie even starts or right after the opening credits (depending on how much of the credits sequence was just Patient X's dream), but is a big reason for Kinderman's personal interest in the case, actually shows up in Kinderman's nightmare, and let's not get started on [[HighOctaneNightmareFuel how he plays into the climatic showdown]].
* SacrificialLion: [[spoiler:Father Dyer]].
* SerialKiller: The Gemini Killer.
* ShutUpHannibal: Kinderman, after The Gemini Killer gets a little ''too'' graphic.
-->'''Gemini Killer:''' ''(after Kinderman breaks his nose, mockingly)'' Oooh, a few boos from the peanut gallery.
* ShoutOut: The nurse Lisa in SilentHill is based off of a scene with a nurse in a red sweater.
* SurrealHorror:
** The opening credits
** Kinderman's nightmare
** Brad Dourif's voice changing pitch throughout each of his scenes.

[[AC:Exorcist: The Beginning]]
* ExecutiveMeddling: Took place to a savage degree with Paul Schrader's original cut, which was entirely junked by the studio and refilmed from scratch by Renny Harlin.
* GenreSavvy: Merrin's guide expresses apprehension about going into the recently unearthed Byzantine Church because the locals say it is cursed by evil spirits. He dismisses them as superstitious, but when Merrin questions him he says he's "not superstitious. Smart."
* {{Gorn}}

[[AC:Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist]]
----

* ReligiousHorror: The first movie was part of a cycle of "[[CreepyChild demonic children]]" movies that started with ''[=~Rosemary's Baby~=]'' and continued with ''TheOmen''.

-->'''Regan/Demon:''' Let Jesus fuck you! Let Jesus fuck you! Let Jesus fuck you! Let Jesus fuck you!

** Regan's possession also counts. The idea of a mother being unable to save her child from a mysterious, unexplainable disease that completely wipes out her mind and personality is ''far'' scarier than any monster or demon.

* BrownNote: [[http://theexorcist.warnerbros.com/cmp/silencebottom.html Many sound effects were put in (sometimes deep in the mix) to make it more unsettling]] - for instance, pigs being herded for slaughter and [[EverythingIsWorseWithBees angry bees]].

* WrittenInAbsence: Ellen Burstyn didn't come back to reprise her role of Chris MacNeil, so they just say that she's away on work.

** Special mention must go to the shot where Regan flails wildly back and forth in her bed, an effect which required Linda Blair to be forcibly thrown and dragged with a wire harness, giving her a spinal injury that's plagued her her whole life.
** Accurate incident, wrong character. This happened to Ellen Burstyn when she is "thrown" by Regan across the room and her back hits the tallboy. Her scream of pain is real.

* GoodShepherd: Fr. Merrin.

* AffectionateParody: ''{{Repossessed}}'', starring Leslie Nielsen and Linda Blair in IAmSpock mode.