I'm Going to Have Nightmares | THE EXORCIST (1973) | Movie Reaction

[@garyzink1927]

I watched this alone as a tuff high school football player at the theater and locked the car doors and drove home scared shitless! What an insightful reaction you had! At 68 this movie is still disturbing! Peace from Northern Michigan.

[@henryellow]

I'm sure the effect is amplified on the big screen 😱

[@hilarytoffler5636]

Newish subscriber here. FYI: The spirit board, back in that time period was marketed as a parlor game, right alongside Monopoly! Times were very different. I'm in my 70's. The mother and child were aithests, that's why she was upset about the cross being in the bed. The words above the Language Lab, (in case you don't read Japanese) Tasuke Tei - help body is the translation however you sound American so that would translate as "assistant or helper". I was fortunate to spend time as a child in Asia. Linda Blair fractured her back in the bedroom scene where she was thumping on the bed. Max Von Sydow (Fr Merrin) was only 43 when he filmed this movie. He was a great old man!!! The "smoke" you referred to was actually their breath. The bedroom was completely set up in a refrigerator. I was there opening week. What a mess. The religious types were passing out, throwing up, running out of the theater... They actually had ambulances outside! I was fascinated by the special "practical" effects my favorite in that field was Ray Harryhausen. Look him up. He worked on some amazing films. Remember... No CGI. Everything had to be done by a practical effect.

[@henryellow]

A spirit board marketed as a parlor game? They were really treating it as a game, that's baffling to me 😂 Oh, I didn't even notice the "Tasukete!" in the language lab. Thanks for pointing that out. I believe it's "Tasukete!" which means "Help me!". Yeah, I knew that thumping motion would cause some damage. I had expected head damage. Oh wow, you were there during opening week? Amazing 🤩 . Yup I can tell there was no CGI here. Impressive work 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Thanks for sharing! 😊

[@Ian-lx1iz]

(20:48) _The power of_ LIKES _compels you_ _The power of_ LIKES _compels you_ ... _The power of_ GOOGLE _itself commands you_ lol

[@henryellow]

What's happening? Why am I... floating... off the bed...?!

[@LukeLovesRose]

The Exorcist is certainly one of the most shocking and disturbing movies ever made. It is easily the best demon possession movie ever made or will ever be made

[@ericaabbott2938]

Really enjoyed your reaction. The breath you see in the movie is real. They refrigerated the set. I love that you researched at the end. IMO The Exorcist isn't just a horror movie it's a master class in filmmaking.

[@ryanje8147]

Love how Henry pronounces "exorcist"........ so cute, just like him.

[@mikeduplessis8069]

At the start Regan was sculpting bird statues from clay. The sculpture resembles ancient cult offerings excavated from prehistoric Europe.

[@brandonflorida1092]

You've seen detective Kinderman before. Remember "12 Angry Men?"

[@henryellow]

Ah, I missed that 👍🏻

[@donkfail1]

You can't really blame anyone not being afraid of using a ouija-board before (or in) The Exorcist, since it was this movie that seriously started the whole scare of evil spirits/demons getting to users of them. Sure, people had used them (and similar tools) to try and contact dead people before, but it was more used as a game.

[@jrasicmark1]

"Up where?" I think the guy Regan was talking to when she said "You're gonna die up there" was supposed to be an astronaut. I think I heard they built the set of Regan's bedroom in an actual freezer.

[@WereMike]

I saw this movie back in the 90's as a college sophomore. It *terrified* me to the point of being unable to sleep for three nights and then when I finally crashed from exhaustion, proceeded to have the worst vivid nightmares of my life. I acknowledge it is a very effective horror movie and have ZERO desire to ever watch it again.

[@henryellow]

Watch it together with me, and it won't be as terrible 😂👍🏻

[@WereMike]

@@henryellow Hard pass but thank you for the offer and enjoy!

[@FretsOnFire]

Hi I'm Joe - greetings from Chicago! 👋😊 I really liked your reaction, subbed!😊 My theory on the head spinning is that the demon created an illusion for those present, otherwise Reagan would die, of course! I think that's also the case when she rises up off the bed and the statue of the demon Pazuzu appears, because she was bound, then it appears she is unbound and rising from the bed, but after she is bound again.

[@henryellow]

An illusion? I suppose that's possible 🤔. Oh, her restraints were ripped off (I didn't include that little scene in the YT react). Welcome aboard and thanks for the sub! 🤗

[@FretsOnFire]

​@@henryellow Thanks! Yes, her restraints ripped off when she levitated from the bed. But in the scene where the statue appeared, it looked like she was standing on the bed with the statue, but immediately after that manifestation she is bound again, that's what I think was an illusion. I think the levitation was real.

[@henryellow]

Ah, so you meant the statue illusion. I see 👍🏻

[@FretsOnFire]

​@@henryellow 😎👍

[@shaneencalade4988]

You are EXACTLY right…… this movie was about faith.

[@donkfail1]

The makeup department gets a lot of credit for what they did with Linda Blair (Regan), but it's often ignored how well (for the time) they aged Max von Sydow (Father Merrin) who played a man twice his age. He was in his early 40s here but looks almost as old as he was at the end of his career when he was over 80. He was also convincing playing an older man.

[@JC-rb3hj]

Henry It's great to see you well! William Blatty the author of The Exorcist was particularly interested in the theme of sacrifice in relationship to Christ's sacrifice. It's a thread that appears in many of his books. On the topic of your discussion on religion, there is a great small film titled "Resurrection" starring Ellen Burstyn (the woman that played the mother in The Exorcist). It's a wonderful film that deserves some daylight. It's not a religious film so don't let that dissuade you. On the channel or off, it's a good watch. Again, I'm glad you're over your bout, you look great, keep it up!

[@henryellow]

Sure thing, I'll add Resurrection to my list! 👍🏻 Just to clarify, this was recorded before the shingles happened 😊

[@YvetteKeyser]

Watching and listening to Henry’s reaction is the only way that I will watch this movie.

[@Cbcw76]

Except the excised bit for the "HELP ME!" scene.

[@FilmBuff54]

I think the candle flare up in the attic was because the flame hit a spider web.

[@henryellow]

I don't think spider webs are THAT flammable 😂

[@kylegacy]

The Exorcist 3 (1990) is remarkable - avoid the second, but the third is worth your reaction, just make sure you avoid the studio version, and watch Blatty's version. Haunting, chilling.

[@henryellow]

I'll keep that in mind, thanks! 👍🏻😉

[@williamjones6031]

1. I was 13 when I saw this in the theater with friends. What rating system they had at the time wasn't really followed that closely. By word of mouth, I was aware of the head spinning, vomiting and language but what freaked me the most were the demon flashes.😱😱 2. When the doctor is looking at Regan's skull x-ray and says, "Nothing in there" I always🤣 3. The spider-walk down the stairs was NOT in the original release. 4. The loud banging with the medical equipment is for dramatic effect. 5. Father Merin and the demon/Pazuzu had a previous encounter where he almost killed the father. Merin doesn't acknowledge the receipt of the note and tells Karras there's no need for analysis. 6. Chris MacNeil/Ellen Burstyn actually broke her coccyx when the demon makes her hard fall. That wince of pain is the real deal. 7. The first priest Karras admits his lack of faith to/Tom, was a real priest. 8. The demon doesn't kill Merrin. From the beginning we know he has a heart problem most likely brought on by the previous encounter. 9. Karras doesn't kill the demon. He does manage to draw it out of her and sacrificed himself for her. 10. Karras is confessing and asking for forgiveness for his loss of faith. 11. RIP Willian Freidkin😇

[@henryellow]

1. The demon flashes caught me off guard too. 3. Oh, really? I guess they included that later. 4. Good to know. Thankfully medical tech is more advanced now. 6. Ouch, this movie really takes a toll on its actors. Thanks for sharing! 😊

[@mark37724]

The scene where Regan says "You're gonna die up there", she was speaking to the astronaut. William Peter Blatty, the writer went on to write and direct what he refered to as the sequel to this called The Ninth Configuration that begins with an aborted rocket launch after the astronaut freak out on countdown.

[@henryellow]

Ooo, I see. Thanks for clarifying 😊

[@banzi403]

suggestion, "arsenic and old lace" (1944) a classic horror comedy

[@henryellow]

I've got that on my list. I'll watch it eventually 😉👍🏻

[@Cbcw76]

This gets my vote for Most Disturbing Film In My Life. We had a film festival two years ago and it was the featured film (because Ellen Burnstyn) was doing production for THE BELIEVER sequel) and that was the first time I'd seen it on the Big Screen since my original. It will be my last, too, I predict. For me, it's the vomit scenes. The edited out versions go odd gore and while the audiences react to those as well, it is The Vomit Scene #1 that had everyone jumping and sucking up as much air as they could... and IF one person reacted 'in kind', I'll bet 500 would have. EDIT OUT THAT SCENE!! But no, it's the Priest and Virgin Mary statue, and the Crucifix Stabbing scene.

[@Cbcw76]

We had two neighbors that were retirees from James Avery Jewelry. Artisan craftsman. The company was a small, basically 1 or 2 person operation until 1973 when Avery needed 3 more craftsmen, then many more. As these two neighbors said, "All because of our cruxifix sales after THE EXORCIST was released. People would buy one or two, then more. All fairly expensive at the time, too. Customers didn't consider them 'luxury items' but 'necessary'." To this day, those folks who saw it in 1973 and 1974 likely never saw it again, vow never to see it again, and vote it as The Most Disturbing Film Of Their Lives. Yep. That's I'd do if such an election was held! (There are horrible - ie, bad, gosh-awful - Ray Dennis Steckler and Doris Wishman films... gosh awful Russ Meyers' boob-a-thons... but most of those are simply terrible film-techniques, acting, writing, directing episodes. Easily flushed.) But not EXORCIST. I am a huge advocate for rewatching films - but EXORCIST and SOPHIE'S CHOICE - I need no rewatchings.

[@Cbcw76]

I am curious, Henry, about why the edited-out HELP ME scene was dropped. You've got the Phone-Ringing Jumpscare included (what a ROTTEN thing for the producers to do - decades later, people STILL leap and cough - including most every reactor on KZbin).

[@Cbcw76]

Your point (starting before this time but succintly at this 30:03 point) is well stated and what I believe about this film - it's not some "I have more power than God or any god - it's the demon's goal to make no one believe at all." And then demon's existence wouldn't be imperiled, too?!! Hmmm... well... all religions can dump me at an intersection of doubt, curiosiity the choice to claim disbelief. But as an Earthling, I still marvel as beauty. And I'll never like vomit - portrayed in film with a TRAPPED audience in the dark, or wafting nearby. "Oh God, where are Thy pineapple fields when I need THAT countering aroma-!!" Not to mention my doubts of faith as the Traffic Light Gods abandon me time after time. "HEY! What about Green once in a while, eh?!!"

[@henryellow]

Surging crucifix sales after The Exorcist was released... That's a great example of how movies can influence sales of certain products 😂 Oh, I haven't watched Sophie's Choice yet. I dropped the HELP ME scene because I felt that the reaction video flowed better without it. It's possible that one of the demon's goals is to make people lose hope. To cast the people into an abyss of despair. It finds pleasure when people despair. And it can easily influence people who have lost hope. That's what I think, anyway. Thanks for sharing your thoughts 😊

[@pricklypear6298]

Best thumbnail ever!

[@gaffo7836]

per your final commentary about Faith and persons my mind went to an excellent movie - which was quite popular in the early 90's. but somehow utterly forgotten today - called "The Rapture". the ending of the movie is all about "pride" and the mother pays the price for it. The ending of that movie is mind blowing and makes one think. not sure if you are a religious man or a Christian/jew -or if you have read the Old Testement work "Job" - but that is what "The Rapture" ending is all about - about the message the author of "Job" presents in his 2400 year old work. The Rapture - excellent movie - somehow though well known in the 1990's now utterly forgotten today, and a "classic" that will make you think about "Stuff". 2 cents.

[@henryellow]

I'll add The Rapture to my list. Thanks for your suggestion! 😊

[@juankasper4260]

The book by William Peter Blatty is brilliant

[@jeffduteil]

Wonderfully fun reaction!

[@BigGator5]

"The Power of Christ compels you!" Fun Fact: Theatrical movie debut of Jason Miller. Location Location Fact: The archaeological dig site seen at the beginning of the movie is the actual site of ancient Nineveh in Hatra, Iraq. The Rest Of The Story Fact: According to William Friedkin, the subliminal shots of the white faced demon are actually rejected from makeup tests for Regan's (Linda Blair) possessed appearance. Too Real Fact: Upon its initial theatrical release, the film affected many audiences so strongly that at many theaters, paramedics were called to treat people who fainted and others who went into hysterics. And Scene Fact: The scene where Regan (Linda Blair) projectile vomits at Father Karras only required one take. The vomit was intended to hit Jason Miller in the chest, but the plastic tubing misfired, hitting him in the face. His reaction of shock and disgust while wiping away the vomit is genuine, and Miller admitted in an interview that he was very angered by this mistake. Authentic Battle Damage Fact: Linda Blair's spine was fractured in the "mother make it stop! it's burning! It's burning" scene where Regan's upper body is ricocheting up and down off the bed. The contraption that was supposed to lift her up and down broke loose, and her spine was permanently injured. Ironically, Ellen Burstyn's back was also permanently injured in another scene. This was the footage used in the film. Method Actress Fact: Actress Mercedes McCambridge, who provided the voice of the demon, insisted on swallowing raw eggs and chain smoking to alter her vocalizations. The actress, who had had problems with alcohol abuse in the past, furthermore wanted to drink whiskey as she knew alcohol would distort her voice even more, and create the crazed state of mind of the character. As she was giving up sobriety, she insisted that her priest be present to counsel her during the recording process. At William Friedkin's direction, McCambridge was also bound to a chair with pieces of a torn sheet at her neck, arms, wrists, legs and feet to get a more realistic sound of the demon struggling against its restraints. McCambridge later recalled the experience as one of horrific rage, while Friedkin admitted that her performance--as well as the extremes which the actress put herself through to gain authenticity--terrified the director.

[@henryellow]

Watching it at home is scary enough. Imagine watching it on the big screen with speakers 😱. I'm not surprised some people got hysterical. Ouch! When I saw Regan's upper body ricocheting up and down the bed, I thought it might cause a concussion. That injured spine will haunt her for the rest of her life... Mercedes McCambridge... I didn't know swallowing raw eggs would affect your vocals. To think that she would chain smoke and abuse alcohol too. She's sacrificing her health for this movie role! Thanks for sharing! 😊

[@BigGator5]

Raw eggs by themselves won't effect your voice. As long as it's fresh and kept refrigerated, raw eggs should be fine in moderation. Some people blend them with orange juice and milk, for a protein shake. And as always, you're welcome. Go in Peace and Walk with God. 😎 👍

[@willmacintyre649]

You never said truer words!

[@user-jb8qq9fk6m]

"The Exorcist" is the first installment of William Peter Blatty's, author of the novel and the screenplay, Faith Trilogy. He wrote it as an evangelization tool to show that if the spiritual personification of evil exists in the world in the form of fallen angels / demons, then supernatural goodness as God must exist even more so. "The Ninth Configuration" from 1980, the second installment which he wrote and directed, while outwardly clothed as a farce, addresses these concepts explicitly. It also contains a story arc of the astronaut character from the party that Regan had told, "You're going to die up there", but does not otherwise reference the first film. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2jYdWp3rcSIodk The third installment which Blatty wrote and directed is "Legion" which became "The Exorcist III" in 1990 after a major studio ordered reshoot. This film is a direct sequel to the original "The Exorcist". kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZWxmaKOdptpd7s

[@henryellow]

Thanks for sharing about the trilogy! 😊

[@Karoljay2]

I’ve seen and read the novel this movie based on it’s not really bout the girl it’s bout faith young priest struggle with his faith Demon Pazuzu were coming after him and same Demon you seen the statute in the beginning had encounter old priest before when they said damm near killed him reference in the movie want rematch with the old priest which he did when old priest and Damien doing the Exorcist the only horror movie got nominated for 10 Oscars included Best picture glad you read up on it and yes you’re 100% right it’s really bout faith

[@Scsibut]

Another great reaction to a great movie

[@gaffo7836]

6 min mark - she was saying her son's name "Demi". per Priets smoking and drinking - for me An Atheist, if I find myself in Spiritual crisis and in need of confession, I'd prefer to confess to a Priest that drinks and smokes in moderation - like i do - over one that never did either. just sayin as a heathen - lol. both vises, but per moderation is ok and i view such vises as human and relatable to myself. Exorcist 3 is very good - Brad Dourif(sp) was great as always (- have you reacted to "One Flew over the Coockoos(sp) Nest" - his first role - and one of the best movies of all time) - Exorcist 3 has excellent quotes: "I learned it from the master", "old friends" - the later is WRT to the elderly human patients in the mental ward? or to demons that are older then mankind? per spooky movies recommend "the Other" - a "sleeper" "cult classic" - not well known but excellent to that those have seen it and well know to the few that have watched it. sadly not well know in general but excellent nontheless. I still feel sorry for "Niles" in spite of what he ends up doing (he was dominated by his evil brother "Holland" and took on his brother's character out of hero worship IMO).

[@henryellow]

I haven't watched "One Flew Over the Cuckoo 's Nest" yet. At first, I thought you meant "The Others (2001)". But you're actually referring to "The Other (1972)", correct? I'll add it to my list. Thanks for sharing! 😊

[@gaffo7836]

@@henryellow Yes the 72 movie The Other - though The latter The Others is pretty good, the former is better IMO, a very good "character study" of the protagonist (Niles). Trivia: Niles and Holland (sorry I don't know thier real names - just names in the movie) - they were two persons, Identical twins - "Holland" sadly died from kidney failer 15-ish years ago - not sure how "Niles" is doing he was well as a Radiologist 10 yrs ago - hopefully he was well and still with us. Neither was in any other movie AFAIK - they were average actors, not bad but not standout either - its the theme of the movie and its creepiness that makes it stand out. I don't care what Niles did by the end of the movie, I still liked him and thought he was at the core a good kid turned bad by his evil identical twin brother via "first born and boss hero worship" the 70's had many excellent psychological thrillers that he no longer have: The Shout You'll Like My Mother The Mafu Cage Magic (to 10 of all time - yes today utterly forgotten and no bluray for decades! - like the other 70' top 5 of all time Drama "Ordinary People" - not offered on Bluray for decades and today forgotten!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ordinary People is top 3 of ALL TIME!!!!! yet today its like "ordinary whay never heard of it" and religated to VHS and poor DVD from the 80s though to only 5 yrs ago!!!!!!! until FINALLY it got a Bluray 40 fking years latter!!!!!!! - and ya I bought it (and Magic) after waiting for 20 with poor DVD versions. 2-cents, and thanks for reply Sir! Kewl you reacting to some serious "classics" A FACE IN THE CROWD!!!!!!!!!! anyone? else? nope! so thank you Sir!!!!!!!!!!!! hope you keep on doing your doing, peace ;-).

[@jtt6650]

Is the thumbnail a photo of you with shingles?? Haha

[@henryellow]

If I look like that with shingles, it's time I look for a role in a horror movie 😂

[@SeekingHisWill78]

Hi Henry, may I ask what your faith tradition is?

[@henryellow]

Mainly Buddhism, but not strictly.

[@satyadasgumbyji8956]

✌️👹❤️

[@jaysverrisson1536]

Henry, demons and demonology were rather uncommon topics for horror films prior to The Exorcist, so please consider checking out the well-regarded Curse of the Demon from 1957, which is rarely if ever reacted to on YT. (Some of the FX now fall short relative to modern films, but the atmosphere is creepy, the story line is interesting.) Also suggested are two other YT horror rarities: the British film "The Quartermass and the Pit" (1967) and the crazy Japanese film "House" (1977).

[@henryellow]

I planned to watch "Curse of the Demon" during Halloween month, but unfortunately I got shingles. Guess I'll arrange it for another time. Oh, I don't have House (1977) on my list, so I'll add that. Thanks for your suggestions! 😊