Was the production of THE EXORCIST really cursed? Is it true that the audience, during the screenings, vomited to such an extent that the theatres kept plumbers on stand-by? Did William ”Billy” Friedkin fire blanks on set just to get pure reactions from the actors? The stories around this (in)famous and slightly unlikely blockbuster are abundant, and apart from the curse, the stories are probably accurate.

THE EXORCIST is considered to be one of the most iconic genre features of all time. It is due to both political, societal and aesthetical factors. Director William Friedkin’s ability to draw upon his skills as a documentary filmmaker creates a down to earth execution of William Peter Blatty’s screenplay about the supernatural concept of demonic possession (based on his own novel), while Stephen King calls the film ”a social horror film if there ever was one”. With the chaotic 1960’s as a backdrop, THE EXORCIST captured the fragmented state of a contemporary world in need of salvation. Enter: the Devil in the shape of a little girl.

50th anniversary screening in commemoration of William Friedkin