Anonymous A started this discussion 10 years ago#53,481
Just re-watched it. It's hard (impossible) to imagine the effect this film had back in 1973 when it came out. Now, in 2016, a lot of it just seems ludicrous (the twirling head, the silly voice of possessed Regan, the spiderwalk scene), and the themes of the film are probably not as powerful now as they were back then, given we now live in a secular society. If you don't believe in the devil then this is a pretty daft and even boring movie. And obviously the swearing no longer has any shock value and now comes across as comical.
But there's something about it which fascinates me. The opening prologue set in Iraq is brilliant, some unforgettable imagery and a generally mysterious and ominous atmosphere. Linda Blair's performance is amazing - in the first half of the film she's full of energy and kindness, which contrasts well with the 'horror' of her possessed self.
Anonymous D joined in and replied with this 10 years ago, 2 hours later, 4 hours after the original post[^][v]#697,469
Scary as hell. The book is even scarier.
Sheila LaBoof joined in and replied with this 10 years ago, 34 minutes later, 5 hours after the original post[^][v]#697,482
I've never seen the whole thing but the parts I've seen I can't get scared because the devil isn't real to me. Maybe if I was a kid but kids aren't supposed to see that kind of shit
Anonymous C replied with this 10 years ago, 5 hours later, 10 hours after the original post[^][v]#697,521
@697,469 (D)
Yes, the book is way more disturbing than the movie.