The Exorcist - Book vs Movie!
Some of the greatest horror films found life in the pages of a book first. Hellraiser, Jaws, and The Shining to name a few. Some say that the movie will never do the book justice (I’m one of them), but occasionally, screenwriters and directors adapt the original stories into visual masterpieces that are so horrifying they fuel the nightmares of generations. In this piece, I will review the story then discuss the differences between the page and the screen and decide which one is the better storyteller.
A word of warning: Spoilers.
In this edition: William Peter Blatty’s original The Exorcist vs. William Friedkin’s adaptation
The Story
12-year-old Regan McNeil is going through some changes. It first started with hearing knocks and scratches in the walls; then the bed started shaking and furniture moved seemingly on its own. But when her behavior began changing into something violent, something unearthly, her mother Chris would stop at nothing to find help. When all medical alternatives were exhausted, Chris turned to a more spiritual solution. She put her faith and the very possibly the life of Regan in the hands of a couple of Jesuit priests – one an aging Father trying to live out his days in peace, the other a young priest battling with his own demon – a loss of faith. The battle between Good and Evil is waged in a Washington D.C. townhouse with young Regan’s soul in the balance.
The Book
Blatty did not wait to introduce the creepy in The Exorcist. From the first pages, readers are set into a situation of steady, escalating tension and fear. Whether it be the strange noises, moving furniture, Regan speaking with Mr. Howdy, or her sudden change in behavior, there is no question that something sinister is lurking in the McNeil house. That aside, Blatty also does a decent job in establishing and developing the characters of Damien Karras and Detective Kinderman; Karras through his investigation into Regan’s situation and Kinderman through his dialogue and interaction with the other characters. Readers see more of Kinderman in Blatty’s sequel Legion. The one thing I did notice is that Blatty recycled anecdotes in this book and The Exorcist III movie. I supposed he really liked the bathtub fish and the rabies bits.
One other thing that really stood out to me is how psychiatry was viewed in the text. Chris McNeil asked multiple times if she should take Regan to see a “shrink” and almost every time she was shot down by medical professionals shunning the practice. I just found the contrast between how mental health care is viewed today versus the avoidance of it in almost 50 years ago. But in the end, it was a Jesuit priest with a background in psychiatry and psychology that Chris would trust with her daughter’s everlasting soul.
I liked the book. This was my first time reading it. There was little down time outside of Kinderman being a little long winded and Father Karras’ thorough investigation, but once Father Merrin arrived, there was no stopping until the end.
The Movie
There is a reason that this movie sits on the top of many Scariest Movies of All-Time lists. Close to 50 years later and it is still terrifying. The use of practical effects and the acting of Linda Blair are so fantastic that it’s easy to see why folks couldn’t stay in the theaters to watch it or why people sleep with the lights on after watching it today. Possession movies are among my favorite sub-genre and this move still wins over the exorcism of this, the possession of that, and any possession flick out there.
It was a fairly straight forward adaptation from the book, not too much was omitted. The significance of Merrin finding the idol of Pazuzu at the beginning was lacking in my opinion, but other than that, the movie held true.
The Verdict
This is tough. The movie has a special place in my heart. It was one of the first horror movies I watched as a kid and set me on the path of horror fandom I so enjoy now. I also think the lore behind the making of the movie had me leaning in that direction too. From Ellen Burstyn’s back injury and the set catching fire leaving only Regan’s room intact to real killer (and suspected serial murderer) Paul Bateson being in the movie, The Exorcist is a movie that will continue to terrify.
But… I have to give the slightest edge to the book. There was just more. More activity around Regan, more of Father Karras’ war within himself and his faith, more significance given to Merrin and his role. Honestly, either one will keep you up at night and have you praying to whatever higher power you go to. And if you don’t have one, it’ll have you seeking one in no time.
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