THE EXORCIST (1973) Breakdown | Ending Explained, Film Analysis, Hidden Details & Things You Missed

THE EXORCIST (1973) Breakdown | Ending Explained, Easter Eggs, Hidden Details & Things You Missed. In this video, we break down The Exorcist. With the release of The Popes Exorcist I thought I'd to the scariest movie of all time to break down all the Easter Eggs, Hidden Details and Things you Missed throughout the film. Released in the year 1973 by William Friedkin this movie is an all-time classic and really opened up the genre and did things we had never seen before in a film. The head spinning visuals, performance by Linda Blair and subliminal images really elevated it and we hope you enjoy the review.
#TheExorcist #Exorcist #Horror #HorrorMovies #Movies #HiddenDetails #ThingsYouMissed #Breakdown #EasterEggs #Subliminalimages #Reagan #HorrorMovieDetails #endingexplained #ThePopesExorcist
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Ok so I think that the Exorcist is a film that changed horror and it still stands as an amazing piece of filmmaking that so many have tried to immitate. Filled with incredibly creepy imagery, hidden details and a lot of things that you have to figure out on your own, this is the kind of movie that I think is perfect for a breakdown.
Often dubbed as the scariest film of all time The Exorcist is probably a movie that you heard about long before you ever saw it. As a kid I remember it's reputation being something that preceded it and I can vividly recall the special edition advert being shown on tv which even managed to give me nightmares even though it was shorter than Pete Davidsons last relationship.
Upon finally plucking up the courage to watch it as a kid I could definitely see why this was a movie that people were still talking about decades later. There's things in this film that will stick with you forever and the lacerated Reagan strapped to a bed is probably one of the most iconic images in film history.
The movie itself actually had much simpler beginnings though and the story began life as a book by author William Blatty.
Blatty actually makes a cameo later on in the movie and he too plays someone working on the film alongside Burke.
Based on the real life exorcism of Roland Doe, blatty changed up the details of that to alter the sex and age of the apparently possessed victim. Doe was of course a psuedonym but since Batty was taking creative licence he didn't rely too heavily on knowing the true details of the case. On the theatrical cut Blu Ray director William Friedkin talks about how he was fascinated with the story which took place in Georgetown.

[@heavyspoilers]

Let us know if there's anything we missed in the movie below. Check out our breakdown of *THE SHINING* here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5mQZpmHeqySbMk

[@bryanheilman4376]

This is one of my favorite movies! Scary! You missed nothing!

[@thesuperviewer3226]

Yea I'm jealous of Pete too.

[@daguy7229]

Do a breakdown of black Christmas 1974

[@EVzipper48]

The ladies in the Psych ward are not real mental patients. They're actresses, I've actually seen several of them in various other films.

[@damienkierans808]

One thing I never fully got was why Regan? There was no real connection between her, Merrin and Pazuzu.

[@HypnoticHollywood]

Fun fact: The author of The Exorcist was actually a comedy writer but when he couldn't get a break with any of his comedy works, he took a shot at horror and ended up striking gold with The Exorcist.

[@deeceea9488]

Yep He wrote the fantastic A Shot In The Dark--the 2nd Pink Panther film.

[@ruthlessrxc]

He didn't strike gold, at least not at first.. He was brought almost to financial ruin until it got picked up by the studio.

[@elphbwckd212]

​@@ruthlessrxcit did eventually become his golden ticket. He made the rest of his career on horror and it's what put him on the map. Just because it didn't start off as an instant hit does not mean he didn't strike gold with it.

[@TehWhiteTiger]

I mean the movie is basically comedic horror with the ridiculous swearing.

[@syntheticvocalist-p472]

What's up with comedy writers being able to just pull despair and horror out their asses on a whim and somehow make it work really freaking well?

[@GuiSilva84]

I watched The Exorcist the right way : 8 years old, hidden from my parents, alone in a dark room. It was airing on TV, and I had no idea what it was about. Little by little, the psichological terror had me glued to the tv, in a state where I wanted to get the hell out of there, but at the same time, I COULD NOT stop watching it. I remember watching it completely covered with my blanket, only nose and eyes wide open sticking out. The effect lasted for so long, that I slept with the lights on for a few months. Those were the good old days 😂

[@anonymouspotato432]

im 15 and just watched it, and i legit slept with the family cross, that movie sure did do something

[@rdred8693]

I was baby sitting my best friends little sister, and was very annoyed. I set her in front of the TV, turned off all the lights and put on *Friday the 13th* I was 15 and an only child, lol

[@_RainaLynne]

SAME HERE! only my Mom let me watch it. 78' was on tv .) through my fingers lol. I was a weird kid though.. I would lie in my bed with my eyes staring forawrd like her in the beginning, and wonder if there was a demon gonna come around lol >

[@laurenced2916]

Linda Blair should've got an oscar

[@keltar4071]

The real robbery was Linda Blair not getting a Oscar for her role in Roller Boogie.

[@ameliabedelia7018]

Instead she got two Ricks in her: Rick Springfield and Rick James.

[@keltar4071]

@@ameliabedelia7018 Rick James? Really?

[@randycunningham7318]

Naw...the effects did most of it. Her acting wasn't that good.

[@synesthesia.aesthetic]

​@randycunningham7318 no one else could have delivered like she did

[@jimbearone]

I think one of the scariest moments was seeing the words “help me” on Regan’s stomach knowing she was trapped inside her own body.

[@nagone11]

It was horrifying..

[@TheQuincyEdwards]

Who would be examining a possessed child’s body while they slept in a freezing, unlit room? The message would’ve been hidden to most normal people.

[@jimbearone]

@@TheQuincyEdwards Regan had probably been thrashing around and when the assistant came in to check her and tuck her in for the night she noticed the marks or she was cleaning her up or wanting to change her top.

[@paulvasquez9563]

Well put

[@1updaddy846]

The upside-down backward trip down the stairs on the fingertips freaked me out

[@drewsully421]

You can watch this in the afternoon, home alone, on a sunny day and still be terrified! Such a classic. The makeup done on Linda Blair is fantastic! She looks so creepy!

[@zeljkokuvara6145]

I did. Exactly like that. I was 18ish. Middle of summer about 14:00 finished and went to return the VHS. Walking in open park between buildings with sun high I was looking around and felt uneasy. Nothing specific, just something is off. Never watched the movie again but it gives me chills just looking this breakdown. Now that is a scary movie done right.

[@PlutonianPisces]

I still can’t watch it at night. It’s a bit too real.

[@PhilthCollinz]

😂😂FACTS!

[@taskeenrahman2009]

Could not agree more. What we are talking about is Aftermath effect, it creates an extremely terrifying emotion which is not based on the time of the day it is something that stays with you for a really really long time if not forever. And that is exactly why the new movies these days suck and they failed to create that lingering Aftermath effect. The Exorcist is simply the mother of all scary movies because it has that very Aftermath effect at it's best. I watched stayed in my early 20s with a house full of people add a party NB afternoon m this movie still managed to scare the living crap out of me

[@pixiewings21_9]

That's the _only_ way I'll ever watch it. I've seen it so many times, and watched so many analyses of the film now that it no longer frightens me (during the day), but I will never watch it at night! 😄

[@Onyyyxx]

I love that the mother was written as an atheist.. this makes what happens to her daughter even more disturbing. She has to challenge her own core beliefs in order to give her daughter a fighting chance. It’s a superb movie and so terrifying.

[@grabamovie]

That's a great character arch you pointed! I find interesting that in the end of the movie the mother is about to give away the amulet (the symbol of faith) then the priest give it back to her. Amazing! People can forget the faith after receiving a blessing I think.

[@matthewnicholas6365]

Crab walk down the stairs is one of the most horrifying things I've ever seen. The sound, the speed, the suddenness of it just blew my mind.

[@ashleywalker1411]

The element of the crossing of species ( chimeric) in demonic possession.

[@laureneras9523]

That scene is what got me to run out of the theaters when I tried watching it a second time Fastest I've ever Noped out of anywhere! Lol

[@ronlokhorst4789]

Totally agree 😅 most disturbing scene, and also explains why she is tied to the bed...

[@mr.rightnow.7300]

I saw this in the theater in 73 and the crab walk scene was not put in. I didn't see the scene until years later on in the "deleted scenes" part of the dvd. I never understood why they cut it. It's creepy af.

[@MrRyan-wu4jx]

@@laureneras9523 it was not in the original theatrical release. It only came to light as a dvd extra in a directors cut release.

[@Fetishrock]

The Exorcist isn't just my favorite horror movie, it's my favorite movie, period. I consider it a masterpiece of filmmaking, and after all these years of watching it I still find new things with each viewing.

[@tarantulasarecool]

Lol ur so brave! Good on you!

[@Chuked]

This movie traumatized my mom😭😭

[@JPSenpai]

It's one of those classics that exists exactly how it should. There are no valid criticisms for it, normal rules don't apply to it. For me, my favorite film is A Clockwork Orange, for similar reasons.

[@Fetishrock]

Absolutely. @CORNDOGCHEAPBEERCHALLENGEWYNR

[@trevorj3838]

Said it all ,still the greatest movie ever made

[@rixx46]

I’m glad to say I have been friends with LINDA BLAIR since the mid-70s. She’s a remarkable human being and a lovely person. She now devotes her life to animal welfare. As you can imagine, she had some great stories to tell! Even though she didn’t do the demon voice in the movie, she would occasionally leave me messages in that voice!

[@stevenfunderburg1623]

Well, I can't compete with that but I do have a funny related anecdote. Many years ago, in the 90s when I promoted a series of punk rock shows at the Community Center in Coarsegold CA, one of the girls who attended was named Valerie Blair, which prompted me to make some reference to Linda, which apparently was indeed her cousin. Perhaps you can ultimately confirm it?

[@user-qv6zz8jl9l]

man, that's fake.

[@garymitchell5899]

​@@user-qv6zz8jl9l Yep, it's BS.

[@leonardhughes4521]

Saw her in person at the sheraton hopkins airport hotel she was on the second floor balcony selling books.since I was employed there I wasn't allowed to say anything to her.

[@SuperG-bb8le]

@@garymitchell5899 bend over, look in the mirror and ask yourself, is that bullshit?

[@deeceea9488]

Such great acting all around in this film. Ellen Burstyn deserved an Oscar. She was perfect.

[@user-pc1oi2pg6m]

Ikr she played the role of the atheistic mother that turns to Catholicism so well

[@bax323]

Creepiest part to me was when Reagan repeated the line from the homeless guy with his same voice showing how Pazuzu could get in Father Karras head.

[@istoppedthecar]

A small correction: it was not the bucking bed which caused Linda Blair's back injury, but the harness which was flinging her back and forth on the bed during a later scene.

[@nobodyatallvallejo3672]

Not trying to be Mr know-it-all, but I think the scene that you're referring to, is the one where the actress who plays the mom (Ellen Burstyn) got injured, Unless it was one of the other accidents that occurred on-set --they had their fair share. Lol .✌

[@farrellmcnulty909]

@@nobodyatallvallejo3672 First the bad was shaking violently, then Reagan herself was being yanked back and forth (that's what did her back in).

[@hadara69]

@@nobodyatallvallejo3672 BOTH their backs were injured badly enough to require a few days recovery. Friendkin was an absolute maniac! Watch some behind the scenes stuff, especially what Bersten says about him.

[@istoppedthecar]

@@nobodyatallvallejo3672 No, the injury to Linda Blair's back occurred during the scene with the Doctors. A mould had been made of Blair's back and she was strapped into it via a harness, which went through the bed and out to the back, behind the bedroom wall, where it was able to be levered, and would then fling her forwards and backwards as if she were convulsing. The straps came loose while she was being flung around in this way and the mould and the harness kept colliding. This is what injured her back. She wasn't injured at all during any scene in which the bed itself was shaking, though. This injury is well-reported, and footage of the actual injuty happening is widely available via documentary footage. Blair herself has described the event. The injury to Ellen Burstyn, filmed for the crucifix assault scene is also widely documented.

[@nobodyatallvallejo3672]

@@istoppedthecar you're 100% correct! I totally forgot about that one. Have a good day. 👍🏻

[@louisahenso3283]

The scene where his mother goes down the subway steps is the most terrifying for me. I cant explain why, it just scares the bejeezus out of me.

[@arklowrockz]

That dream sequence is brilliant but it the opening section in Iraq which I think is the best part of the film.

[@johanneabelsen1644]

Especially because this is probably the first time, that Western folks heard the Azan (the Islamic call to prayer).

[@CincinnatusPublish]

I think that was suppose to represent her going down to hell.

[@MrJoebrooklyn1969]

Well NYC subways were dangerous back then.

[@taskeenrahman2009]

It's scary as hell because that is exactly what nightmares look like the fear of unknown and beyond

[@lordvenjix3757]

One of the movie's greatest assets is in the fact that the characters are fully formed and likeable. Max von Sydow is introduced in the opening scene as a priest who makes a remarkable discovery: one that will haunt him until the end of the film. And it remains one of the most powerful tales of possession the movies have blessed us with. While there have been some truly great horror stories to come along since, none have quite been able to reach the heights of William Friedkin's nightmarish and entertaining adaptation of its source material.

[@yuvilio]

A separate Exorcist 3 breakdown? Yes, please. An overlooked gem.

[@combatshox]

one of the best sequels ever.

[@lizfinkelstein1323]

Most "monsters" in scary movies are not remotely frightening, but the face of Pazuzu is genuinely terrifying. I don't know what it is, or what combination of things together make the visage so chilling, but it is SO effective!!

[@elijeremiah1058]

Yes! You’re so right. It’s a combination of things

[@hadara69]

As a proScultor I can tell you that oversimplification of certain extreme features, especially the eyes and mouth, are often DEEPLY disturbing for people. (I’m assuming you meant the statue Merrin sees in Iraq, not Dick Smith’s legendary FX make-up on Regan) Think of the famous mythological Japanese “devil” face/mask we’ve all seen with his tongue out. Same deal. Fascinating what playing with human features can do in our subconscious! 👹

[@nagone11]

It was the visage of the death mask..a naturally horrifying sight both physically and mentally..real true horror.

[@lizfinkelstein1323]

@@hadara69 I was talking about the white faced creature that pops up in all those subliminal shots.

[@hadara69]

@@lizfinkelstein1323 Oh ok! I’ve always called that “Captain Howdy” but this commentator is right that it’s all supposed to be “Pazuzu”. Yes, that’s Dick Smith’s genius! The red eyeliner on the bottom eyelids does A LOT actually! This face has inspired countless “Black Metal” musicians’ “corpse paint” which they wear whenever seen in public (usually), btw. I have a big button of that face on my guitar strap that was actually SIGNED by Eillen Dietz at “Monsterpalooza” in 2013! (Though it quickly smudged off, sadly) This creepy face inspired one of my first make-up Halloween get-ups aswell back in 1990. I had a pig nose though like “the Phantom of the Opera”. Haha!

[@andrewsorenson6750]

practical effects will always be way creepier than any CGI in my opinion

[@user-ze6do7kf4e]

One of the most terrifying things to me is thinking Regan is in the bed the whole time, then learning she was running around the whole time causing chaos.

[@jessicapazo7718]

One of my favorite horror movies of all time. That part in the very beginning....when Merin comes face to face with the statue of Pazuzu...the rocks crumble, the dogs fighting....Merin vs. Pazuzu. Good vs. EVIL. And Linda Blair was amazing.

[@Lawnschiclettooth]

That whole scene is incredibly important and just plain incredible.

[@grabamovie]

I'd say evil against evil (personal evil, desbelief) as they say in the film, like a metaphor.

[@vincentsolis5149]

I saw this way too young and it took me years to be able to sit through it again. It's one of my all time favorites now.

[@MrHernandez1994]

You know what I personally love about the exorcist that it’s doesn’t feel like it’s a horror movie until after Reagan goes to the hospital. The beginning feels like an archeologist movie in the desert. The scenes about them making a movie feel like a movie about making movies, and the hospital scenes feel like a medical drama

[@grabamovie]

Yeah, it's not like it is a convencional horror that the person know it's a horror from the start. I think they did that on purpose to remind us that could happen to us and make the movie more reallistic and scary.

[@georgeandreou695]

It's been described as a theological thriller, I think that's a lot more fitting

[@Supadan75]

This film is a timeless classic. I heard so much about this film. My mother went to see it and she told me she had nightmares. I myself didn't see the film until 2000 in my 20s and I can honestly say the film is no joke. it's a REAL horror film that unlike modern films doesn't rely on gore and violence, it genuinely is a scary and disturbing film. The voice of the demon is unsettling even more than the gory scenes. I hadn't realised it was voiced by a woman until seeing this documentary.

[@bushbasher85]

I think the flashing demon face works so well in this context. With the atmosphere, and the buildup in the music, it really works. But having said that, if I had never seen the Exorcist and just saw that demon face on a Halloween make up kit, I probably wouldn’t think it looked too scary

[@heavyspoilers]

Haha yeah agreed, all part of the atmosphere and vision, hits perfectly with the tone of the film

[@Chris29_11]

That part was pretty scary indeed!

[@MirsadKonjevic-re4vl]

That flashing face was just as freaky as some of them scenes

[@boss_niko]

Yep I would think he is probably a thief

[@combatshox]

the power of a great scene.

[@Veronica.A.]

I was born in '73 when this masterpiece was released. I watched it when I was older and till now it still remains my favorite horror flick. The beginning scene is iconic signifying that evilness knows no religion.

[@jimmerhardy]

One of the great American films that just happens to be extremely scary. Quite an achievement, no matter the decade.

[@johntechwriter]

Friedkin never got the respect he earned, great move after great movie, no two alike.

[@aznsketcher]

Saw this as a kid and this movie *EFFED ME UP* for a long time....EXORCIST 3 later and effed me up again😂

[@heavyspoilers]

hahah yeah both are bangers, I can still vividly remember the tv trailer

[@aliciacasborne2414]

Very long time. And the fact it’s based off a true story

[@Saffron-sugar]

Same…. Still a little messed up from it

[@martalencastre8176]

I know I'll sound like one of "those" people, but the book does such a nice job with building the sense of dread and despair. And the banter between the demon and Karras, just *chef's kiss* My favorite book of all time, read it one go, after dinner, when I was 13, and re-read so many times... Just perfect

[@AdrianG23228]

I actually just watched this a couple weeks ago for the first time. I can totally see the importance this movie had on the horror genre and why it scared people growing up on this. A good watch, but i think my fear of watching this movie as a kid sacred me more than the actual movie but I still appreciate this movie for what it is

[@tonyponchopeters]

The thing I get from this movie as an adult is just a sense of dread. I have watched this around noon and the sound & atmosphere will ruin the rest of your day. You feel sick and uneasy.

[@h-e-acc]

the scene where Linda Blair was injured was when she was getting tossed back and forward on the bed. I seriously thought before they were using a mannequin in that scene because the tossing was so violent. Apparently, that was Linda Blair

[@R_M.P]

Really enjoyed your analysis! The gold standard of horror films. Not only were the horror aspects bone chilling but everything about the movie was amazing from the acting, character development, family issues, religious conflicts, cinematography, and music. The Exorcist is as deeply affecting today as it was over 50 years ago.

[@heavyspoilers]

Thanks so much

[@ppiorkowski1502]

​@@heavyspoilersyou finally answered the question for me!! I'm talking years and I've watched this movie countless times. I could never figure out who's face appears in the window before Karras jumps. I've asked other hardcore fans and they didn't know either. At first I thought maybe Father Merrin or Pazuzu but it didn't look like either. I could never get a clear shot of the face. Plus I've Googled it and NOTHING!! Mad props to you Sir. I thank you very much. It was literally one of those mysteries I had to solve before I left this Earth.

[@Acord718]

Way ahead of its time. Fantastic acting and great special FX for the time. I wish movies of today canmake an impact as mich as the exorcist back then.

[@spankynater4242]

How was it ahead of its time? It was exactly a product of its time. There were so many movies about the devil and possession made at that time.

[@grabamovie]

The story and it's theme is the soul of this film. Yeah, it's hard to realize they can't write that kind of movie anymore...

[@_rootsman]

my favorite book and my favorite movie - an absolute masterpiece. i really think Jason Miller's performance is probably the most beautiful and heartbreaking in all cinema.

[@synesthesia.aesthetic]

RIP🥀

[@grabamovie]

He is amazing! I must read the book. I think it's gonna improve my perception of the film.

[@melanietremblay6590]

I have seen this movie over a thousand times in my life, not kidding at all! One summer i decided i'd watch it everyday. It's been over 20 years now and i watch it several times a year. I rarely find something about it that makes me see new things about it. This video is not disapointing at all!!! Great work!!!

[@8bitakvids]

You sound like my kinda person! 🤘

[@CORVYX]

Really thorough and incredible breakdown. I’ve watched this film countless times and you just made it brand new for me. Can’t wait to watch it again!

[@heavyspoilers]

Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it

[@yasminemccoy3005]

Even watching this I still get goosebumps. This movie will always be number one ☝️

[@travisa7669]

Having served in Iraq during one of the most bat-s**t years during the war (2004), the film has more meaning to me now as I learned that Friedkin did on location filming in Iraq. You did confirm one thing for me and that is I'm one of those who couldn't initially stomach all of the medical tests on Regan. I was just 17 when I rented it to watch with my girlfriend (now wife) and we both had to call it quits. I finally relented and watched the director's cut this past Fall and it is a brilliant film. Thanks for this break down!

[@heavyspoilers]

Ey thank you for the really insightful comment and thank you for your service

[@Saffron-sugar]

My childhood was pretty much destroyed by this movie. I complained a lot about having to go to Roman Catholic school so my mother had me watch the movie, then told me it could really happen to me. Messed me up big time

[@johanneabelsen1644]

Service in Iraq must have been way more disgusting/svmcary, tho.

[@E_l_l_i_e]

​@@Saffron-sugar that story is so terrible and funny at the same time. 😅

[@cheriremily9360]

@@Saffron-sugar I'm sorry but that is abusive. The movie may use a real demon but the rest of it is just a movie - special effects. No one should be coerced into a religion and no child should watch this movie. Definitely rated R. I like the movie but take it tongue in cheek. I've read the actual case and the possession part in the movie is over the top. And now it's just tropey.

[@bradley163]

The two scariest moments in this film aren't the most flashy. The first being when Chris goes upstairs in the attic to have a look around, and when she is walking out of the area, the image appears on the wall to the right. The second is when Regan is in the hospital.

[@michaelwomack6833]

Read the book of you haven’t. They really go into the whole, is it real or is the kid crazy. Only to have a stunning dream during a break in between the exorcist, that father Karras has. It was so creepy.

[@robertbeckman2054]

I was a teenager when I caught the hospital scenes on a television showing of the film. I can’t explain the feeling if dread I felt, and thought to myself how is this scarier than anything I’ve ever seen?

[@Aaron-lc9cx]

@@michaelwomack6833 The "Screwtape letters " by C.S. Lewis is an obvious inspiration. The true horror of the time.

[@chefluigimarinara1975]

​@@michaelwomack6833 I liked that the novel was more focused on the detective.

[@synesthesia.aesthetic]

With the blood shooting out of her neck?

[@frejahertz3675]

This movie made my life turn 180. It introduced me to horror, and it’s a masterpiece in my mind, while also getting me into practical effects, which is my job now - The exorcist is truly a beautiful, haunting and wonderful piece of cinema.

[@Maddharl]

Another fantastic episode Paul! Really loving these older film breakdowns

[@Kenziepuff]

I have to pop in here to say I love your videos. I've been watching for a while now, and it's great to see breakdowns of films that the faint-hearted like myself haven't watched and might not get to enjoy or see why they're viewed as such classic films. So thanks for your hard work 😊

[@heavyspoilers]

Ey thank you so much, really kind of you to say

[@alexalexides8947]

One of the greatest films ever, certainly my favorite regarding a return to faith. Yet, there are really more than 2 versions; the book is beautiful, and does fill in most of those dots (many interviews with Blatty and Friedkin humorously address this too) as do Blatty's interviews about Father Karras being the real target, and his triumph over both his loss of faith and the demon's targeting of him. Many of those are available here, as well as the audiobook read by Blatty himself. Another fun fact: almost all of the location shots in Georgetown are within a few blocks and mostly look like they did in the film

[@wushushorty1]

I remember watching this as a kid, back in the early 80s and to this day it still is the only movie to ever creep me out. My sister used to do the head bouncing thing on the bed and destroy my sleep.. what a turd.. lol.. at least I had the blanket force field to keep me safe.

[@chaffboms1838]

Yesssss, I love that you guys are doing these more classic film breakdowns. Keep " exercising" those analytical muscles. YA HAVIN THAT

[@keystorm8598]

This and hereditary are the only horror movies. That made me stay up at night.

[@xavierjones6852]

Yeah, hereditary was really good. No big bad monster to show, just subtle fucked up scenes that stick with you

[@Saffron-sugar]

“ wHeN I sAw The ExOrciSt… I laUghed”. I am so so sick of hearing these words. Everybody becomes the brave boasting 12-year-old boy in the face of this movie, more than any other movie. Maybe it goes over their heads? The terror is that there is a child, being physically, mentally and sexually tortured right in front of her mother, and nobody can do anything about it. The child unwillingly harms herself; she can feel it and suffer it (thus the “help me” message) but she cannot stop it. The poor child is raped and bloodied with a sharpened wooden crucifix and people think that’s funny? For the sake of having any faith in humanity, I assume they would not laugh if it was a man doing that to her. Why was Burke, an unrelated drunken man along with her anyway? Why is her father so unconcerned about her? What is the difference in the experience from the point of view of a child? A Demon taking over her body and doing things out of her control? Whether the guy is corporeal, or spiritual, the story is more or less the same. True horror.

[@enterbalak]

It's because people are desensitised now, the innocence of people are long gone, chaos is everywhere now..

[@pierrepowe326]

Thank you Paul for doing this recap and breakdown! I’m so excited for this sequel taking place 50 years after the first! Excited to see Chris return and hoping for a Reagan/Linda Blair cameo!

[@amblove3]

Hell to the NO Heavy Spoilers. Who won't be at the theater is ME. I'm 53 and still scared. I'm clenching a heating blanket just watching your review.

[@BudoDave76]

@25:06 I was studying Japanese in college when the movie was re released. I remember reading that and freaking out but also realizing the amount of effort and detail that was put in this film that most people wouldn't ever notice. Excellent breakdown as always!

[@danielwillis4131]

Such a good video. I couldn’t wait to finally sit and watch. And your mention of doing a breakdown for Excorcist 3 really has me hoping. That’s my favorite one due to it elevated intent for the psychological aspect. Great work, best channel!

[@MrsMuera]

I was fortunate enough to attend a screening of this movie and hear director William Friedkin speak to my University film class in the 2000s. We got to ask questions about the film we'd just seen (the Exorcist), which was definitely an experience I'll never forget. Seems like a great guy.

[@timcogan82]

Exorcist 3. Underrated classic.

[@heavyspoilers]

yeah the cell scenes are so good

[@timcogan82]

@@heavyspoilers that long tracking shot in the hospital is one of the most effective uses of suspense I’ve ever seen.

[@revanreborn9658]

It's so cool seeing all these hidden details. It definitely makes the film worth re-watching. Great video!

[@evanp042]

Amazing breakdown. Thank you for making it. Gonna need to rewatch this movie now!

[@bitterbeauty711]

My mother was a movie addict. She took me to see this when I was 11. I guess she decided it wasn’t traumatic enough because she took me to see a second time when it showed up at the drive in theater several months later.

[@GutterfishNetwork]

🫡 badd ass moms

[@djramshead]

6:15 Absolutely love this detail. It has its many naysayers, but the The Exorcist tv series had continuity with the first movie and utilized this double eye pupil detail when dealing with those who were said to have fully integrated with their demon possession!

[@ericjpdt]

This first season of the TV show was great! And Geena Davis was the perfect choice to play Regan McNeil.

[@combatshox]

WHAT?@@ericjpdt

[@stheno3178]

After watching your video I obviously missed a lot of the subliminal messages despite multiple viewings of this brilliant movie so thank you for making this film even more fascinating . The one that I really overlooked is when Regan has her arm raised while being hypnotized. I never connected that to the raised arm of Pazuz's statue .

[@glennjones2635]

Wow, I first saw this movie in 1978 and have been obsessed with it ever since, it is still my favourite movie of all time. I thought I knew it inside out until I came across this, fantastic insight and so many things I somehow missed, I have to watch it again now, the directors cut of course.

[@aarontourigny8063]

There will NEVER be another movie like this made. This movie is absolutely perfect in every way possible. I do have to say that the "version you've never seen" shows pazuzu too much and in my opinion decreases the level of unease that I felt when watching the movie because I was able to see the demons presence so much. For example, the scene when Reagans mother comes home and the lights are flickering on an off and then go out for a moment and then come fully back on is MUCH more unsettling without seeing pazuzu's face on the stove. That same scene in the original version caused such intense discomfort BECAUSE it made you question if the demon was close by or not, thus causing more panic.

[@englandshope689]

yes..more is less

[@AdamLovesHorror]

@@englandshope689 I'd agree in that scenario but then you'd also miss out on the crab walk scene so I think it's a give and take with the versions.

[@SCHRODINGERS_WHORE]

the soundtrack in the movie is some of the best ever done. it really gets in your head and pulls you in to scare the shtt out of you. cant wait for the exorcist 3 review, it on of my favorite movies ever. thank you

[@Strongbad251]

I love that you did this breakdown! This movie is a masterpiece! Especially the diectors cut.

[@heavyspoilers]

Thank you 🙏 loved going back to it

[@johanneabelsen1644]

I liked the original one better. 🙂 And I always ask myself why they had to put in that nasty, drunk British director friend. Completely unnecessary character.

[@hughblue1404]

Nice one brotha! Your movie break downs are my favorite things on KZbin. You're killing it

[@heavyspoilers]

thank you

[@bamthebastard6017]

loving ya new vids bro the break down of classics is what i was waiting for

[@randyhx]

I love these breakdowns on older films. Please keep them coming.

[@MalevolentElephant]

Still the best horror film ever!

[@heavyspoilers]

ey thank you for stopping man, good to see you mate, hope everything is going well

[@MalevolentElephant]

@@heavyspoilers Everything is great my friend! Hows everything with you??

[@t.n.h.ptheneohumanpatterna8334]

@@MalevolentElephantdang he ghosted you 😂

[@eddysandland58]

Great Breakdown HS & Team! Classic Films Just keep Coming! Rob Aiger Go's DEEP into His Version's of the Film! Cheers

[@deelite681]

Watching this movie at 6 years old with my parents and sister has forever impacted me as being the scariest movie and still creeps me out now in my mid 40s. Even watching the behind the scenes when I become an adult and noticing the suspension wires when she is floating in the air. Still for me it’s a core memory at 6 that has forever eff me up.

[@michaelmeade7585]

Excellent breakdown of this incredible film. I have been working on a book about the history of THE EXORCIST, and between you and Rob Ager, a number of my reveals which I uncovered by watching a DVD of the film a million times have been uncovered by you two wonderful film essayists 🙂! No worries; I still have a lot of other research material, and my book is more of a sociological study of the time it was released and how it has endured throughout the years. As to my own take on the film, I saw it when I was probably too young to see it, so it has obsessed and haunted me for almost 50 years. My preference is for the original theatrical release, as the added subliminals Friedkin put in are, for my taste, a bit too clumsy (they don't mesh with the grain of the film, its natural color, etc.), Nonetheless, William Friedkin is my all-time favorite filmmaker and the work he accomplished with this film is masterful. The same goes for Blatty's novel, which is a true classic. Anyway, thanks for this terrific video essay!

[@Voiceoverventures]

Great breakdown! I'd live to see you do one on part 2&3

[@heavyspoilers]

gonna try get around to them, I wanna do 3 definitely but 2 is a bit rough

[@calebshoemaker]

Nobody should ever feel the need to watch 2 lol

[@themetalone7739]

I've seen similar videos before, but this one had stuff that I'd never heard of or considered before. Very well done!

[@AdamLovesHorror]

This was excellent, thank you very much. I learned/now see several things I've missed countless times.

[@xavierjones6852]

Just saw this movie for the first time over the weekend and it’s still better than most possession movies

[@thomasloney612]

I watched it for the first time a few months back. Not related to the story, but it's shocking how old Max Von Sydow looked in the film, considering he was 43 at the time. I don't know if they used makeup to age him up, but his character looks like he's in his 70s. Nevermind! You covered that! :-)

[@dickones218]

Paul I can’t tell you how happy I was to see this breakdown! Legit my favorite horror movie of all time thank you! Also any chance maybe you could breakdown the 1990 Ninja Turtles movie? Definitely out of the ordinary but if you do some digging there’s so much un used content that would have been incredible! Anyways thanks again man 👌🏻

[@actuallyapathy]

just wanted to say, thanks so much for adding real subtitles!!!

[@Mark-nh2hs]

I always found the superimposed demon head and faces popping up in scenes was sooo cheesy and really irritating as it drew me out of the film laughing. But when it's superimposed on Regan's face was good and added that element of disturbing.

[@charlieinslidell]

The demon face flash haunted me in dark open doors and windows decades after seeing it and throughout childhood and teens. One thing to point out why this face is so unnerving is not only because it subliminally flashes on the screen but that the face itself is ambiguous. It has an uncanny valley feel because it is actually a woman's face dressed in heavy makeup but we see it as possibly a male as well because it flickers so quickly.

[@Trenton.D]

It’s not subliminal. If you can see it, it’s not subliminal. 😐

[@elleseven71]

excellent breakdown. it's one of my most fave movies! you've got a new subscriber!

[@bethany-aliciatipping-ball4096]

Just to say that I’m 💕-ing the content on this channel! I’m currently sat w only phone & ltd data so these “walk throughs” of horror movies (futile attempt at a 👻 joke there😉) are what’s keeping me sane!🙏🏻 Absolutely adore the fact that so much nerdy stuff is packed into bite-sized chunks but seamlessly so you never lose focus from the story being told in the film(s) - no mean feat!

[@mxmxpr]

Most of what you are covering are things added in 1998 for the so-called "Version You've Never Seen." (Strangely the title doesn't change after you see it.) The face flashes in the original theatrical version were exactly right. All the CG adds and additional demon face cuts in the later version were indulgent and gilded the lily.

[@jpmcpheemcphee2695]

Such a weird coincidence that you release this 24 hours after I binge watched the Gina Davis adaptation of the story, highly recommend watching the show

[@RonaldWilliams-qh7zc]

What a great analyst in breakdown of such a classic psychological thriller!!!👍💯

[@SunnyHomeVideos]

Incredible breakdown. Subscribed!

[@Dunybrook]

I thought the ending with Father Dyer and Lieutenant Kinderman trying to keep the memory of Father Karras alive was very well done. Overall though I prefer the original theatrical release without all the things they added in with CGI later on. It makes for a much more dramatic experience. Great breakdown. Looking forward to seeing what you think of The Exorcist III.

[@xavierjones6852]

The face of pazuzu always scared the shit out of me even before I saw the movie

[@nooneinparticular9868]

I really like your content. Good stuff man. Really good stuff.

[@NormenJArule]

Thank you, Paul ~ it is ONE of my TOP 10 classic films!

[@Eisenhower42]

Hey man, kudos for a really well done examination of a truly great film! Just one point I'd like to make. A lot of those "flash" images you point out, like the demon on the vent hood in the kitchen and Pazuzu by the door as Kris walks out of the bedroom, and the demon face when Regan is sitting in the chair for hypnosis - all that stuff was added for "The Exorcist: The Version You've Never Seen" which was released in the early 2000s for the 25th anniversary. A lot of people (myself included) find those little embellishments kind of hokey, and unnecessary, though the new version did have some good extra scenes/footage that added to the story, like the doctor prescribing Ritalin, the priests talking on the stairs about why the demon chose a young girl, the "spider walk," etc. But my point is that theater-goers in 1974, and everyone watching on VHS for 25 years, never saw that stuff. It's a bit like Lucas revisiting Star Wars and prettying up special effects, making Jaba the Hut CGI, etc. - we who are old enough to have seen The Exorcist in its original form treasure the work done on that version, not so much the extra material released subsequently. The original was plenty scary without CGI! ((Sorry, I just realized you point this out at the very end of your review. You're right, some may prefer the "pop-ins" ... I'm just loyal to the original, I suppose!))

[@HECKproductions]

i remember seeing some of the instances where you can see an evil face for fractions of a second and i loved it

[@Octavian7771]

Wonderful analysis! Very comprehensive!

[@Kardashev1]

Thanks, that was really cool. Some stuff I hadn't heard before about this great film. Just subscribed. Cheers!

[@AneudiD78]

So, I read that Ellen Burstyn is going to reprise her role in the new Exorcist trilogy. Now that's going to interesting. I hope they dial the fear factor to 11.

[@ianm2170]

Fantastic job, mate! I saw this when I was on holiday with my parents in Southport in 1974. One afternoon they were in a pub and I just wandered into a theatre, having no idea what was to come. The place was basically empty and it scared the living daylights out of me. PS: Surprised you didn't mention the demon that was driving the carriage that was trying to run Karras over in Iraq. Great premonition.

[@geoffwieting]

It was Merrin who was in Iraq, not Karras, and it wasn't a demon driving the carriage. It was an elderly woman as in the novel. Friedkin has said that the woman who played her in the film was over 100 years old.

[@Dinvadbhatmarathi98]

​@@geoffwietingcorrection the elderly woman was a passenger not the driver of the carriage the carriage driver was seated up front the carriage went past merrin and he saw the elderly woman in the back as a passenger

[@DrBiBeatz]

When I first saw I was really scared, I was a kid. Now I'm older, it makes me laugh, and I see things I didn't see on the previous views. Like the evil face when mother comes home and lights goes off we see a glimpse of the evil face above the cooker. Everything time I see, I see more stuff that I haven't seen before. Still really good movie after 50 years.

[@cheekster777]

Rewatched this movie last night in 4K UHD. Just finished watching this excellent movie breakdown. Thank you Paul. Will rewatch the movie again listening to the director's audio commentary next before watching the Extended Cut and listening to that audio commentary which I've read is different to the Theatrical Cut one.

[@FlanTravolta]

Awesome movie to do a breakdown of. Not exactly a classic, but in the same vein as The Exorcist, I would love to see a breakdown of The Exorcism of Emily Rose. One of the most underrated horror movies ever, in my opinion.

[@heavyspoilers]

yeah definitely wanna visit it at some point

[@LuckyLuch11]

Jennifer Carpenter was amazing in that movie

[@alexander1995s]

That scene where she beat the cat really did a number on me when I first saw it

[@calebshoemaker]

I thought Emily Rose was really wonderful

[@tommyapples8490]

That was a good scary one.. Good demonic possession films are the scariest IMO

[@L0rd0fChaos]

The exorcist was and is one of the best horror movies ever.

[@swedishpiggi]

What a great job youve done here!! Love it

[@coheed246]

Thank u for breaking it down! I have always enjoyed this movie and I have never noticed some hidden gems ! Thank you ! So cool