My review is not perfect, as I never saw this film on the big screen. This, combined with the extreme reactions on the part of the audiences must have really heightened the fear in the theater. I remember reports at the time of people leaving the theaters before the movie finished as well as the furor it caused because it was so scary. Well, tonight I watched in on my computer. Sure, I've got a huge computer screen, so it wasn't a claustrophobic experience but it sure wasn't like being in a theater. Keep this in mind--theater patrons probably were much more scared--especially because the film was extremely terrifying compared to anything previously seen--making ROSEMARY'S BABY look like a Disney film!

Now before anyone sees this movie today, I sure wish they'd insert a "kids: don't try this at home" warning. No, I am not specifically talking about performing exorcisms but following Father Damien's example in how he treated Father Merrin when Merrin's heart stopped. This character, who supposedly had an MD began hitting Merrin on the chest harder and with more intensity than George Foreman could have! Darn it, if the heart attack didn't kill Merrin, those "Mortal Kombat" style punches sure did. KIDS: DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!!!

As for the film, there are so many, many reviews already that I don't feel like doing an in-depth analysis--especially since there are already so many good ones (as well as a few stupid ones, but I won't go there). The bottom line is that this film was exceptionally well done and the special effects were amazing and ground-breaking--and generally impress even today. As far as how scary the film is, I wasn't so much scared as emotionally impacted--some of the not so scary moments still were hard to watch--such as the impact of Regan's "illness" on her loving mother. Scary-wise, it is possibly the scariest film of all time, but I still think FREAKS has a certain visceral scariness that beats all other films. Still, THE EXORCIST is a darn scary and exceptionally well made film from start to finish. However, I think the most evil thing about this film isn't the demon, but that they went on to make some god-awful sequels--so bad, even demons would probably avoid the theaters!!

One final comment. While the film is exceptional, part of me felt uncomfortable with much of the film as they had a young child saying and doing so many gross and abusive things (masturbating with a crucifix, using VERY colorful language and the like). While an adult can elect to be in a film and say and do these things, in the case of a child it seemed awfully exploitative--even if the parent says it's okay.

The horror genre is a genre that has been growing on me overtime, and I genuinely believe The Exorcist is a landmark of it. Not just how much it's talked about or parodied, but also its ability to unnerve and unsettle me even years later. The Exorcist is a fantastic film, both as a film of its genre and of film full-stop. The effects are superb and have held up very well, and the sound is marvellous and adds to the many startling moments. The cinematography and scenery are also incredibly well done. The macabre, obscene demonstrations of manifest evil on display still startle even now, while William Friedkin's direction is one of his best and most intelligent of his career, not just making the scares genuine but also combining these with allegorical religious subtleties. The performances also lift, Linda Blair is really quite startling, and you couldn't have had more perfect support from Max Von Sydow and Ellen Burstyn. Overall, genuinely unsettling and effective. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Well, I couldn't miss the opportunity to see this horror classic in the cinema, or I'd have to wait another 25 years till the 50th anniversary. So I went along to the cinema, where it was playing in an original version (none of this remastered malarkey, I'll thank you very much). And suffice to say, I was impressed. Very impressed. In fact the film lived up to all expectations I had of it.

From the opening prologue set in Iraq, we know something's wrong. There's a sense of dread in the air as we all know what's coming. However, it takes a long time for the possession to actually occur, which may be surprising to some, but it instead concentrates on characterisation, which is a strength and makes THE EXORCIST stand out from other run-of-the-mill stalk and slash affairs. Jason Miller's character is the most thoroughly explored, and all of the normal everyday situations shown simply make the demonic events even more horrific when they occur. The Tubular Bells music is great too, and brings chills with it.

Once they occur, they do not disappoint. Regan's actions are still suitably graphic, even by today's standards (the crucifix scene for example). However her obscenities tended to provoke laughter rather than fear, such language is sadly common in this day and age. Things build to the great climax and, I feel, one of the greatest moments in cinema, that is when Karras confronts the evil. Excellent.

The special effects still stand up, despite being a bit creaky. Still, they're much better than the CGI nonsense used by blockbusters today. THE EXORCIST remains a remarkably intelligent exercise in horror, and everybody has to see it to see what all the hype is about. While I wasn't scared by the film, it did actually make me feel quite sick and disturbed, so perhaps there was something really evil about it after all. Then again it's only a movie, so we can but wonder. THE EXORCIST is a great film, not easy or enjoyable viewing but extremely horrific and effective. See it and see what everyone's talking about.