It seems that the children born of mothers who have control and pursue their desires will, of course, be the spawn of Satan. Rosemary’s Baby is the next logical step: the sexual awakening’s affect on traditional gender roles. The first film, Repulsion, was about sexual desire and its effect on the mind-in this case, psychosis. The beauty of Roman Polanski’s early films is that they all focus on one female character. The Exorcist is a movie that somewhat glorifies that Catholic Church Rosemary’s Baby is about Catholic guilt and the sexual awakening that came along with the women’s lib movement. This film succeeds with its pessimistic-although realistic-plot. The film deals with the Antichrist, who comes in the form of a child, switched at birth with Robert Thorn’s (Peck) stillborn (actually murdered) baby. One of the most frightening moments is when the nanny hangs herself outside Damien’s party. Plus, Damien is so creepy.Īnd let’s not forget David Warner (I recommend his film Time After Time with Malcolm McDowell if you’ve got a free spot on your Netflix): Did they just cut that guy’s head off? Yes. That’s one of the film’s great attributes. Gregory Peck is the most straight-laced and rational a leading man you could ask for, even by today’s standards. Instead, let’s just focus on how brilliantly terrifying this film is. Let’s not talk about the remake (you’ll have to wait for another list I’m working on for that). This movie is about overcoming demons-both literally and figuratively-and Karrass’ pain is pitch-perfect. He doesn’t go through any major traumas, like Burstyn or Blair, but his pain is evident as is his frustration and despair over losing his faith. However, the real star of this film is Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Jason Miller as Father Damien Karrass. Max von Sydow’s turn as Father Merrin may be the most memorable performance ever, considering how remarkably little screen time he gets.Įllen Burstyn is amazing, of course, as is the ever-frightening Linda Blair (in a make-up by Dick Smith and voiced by Mercedes McCambridge). This is one of those films where you sit there thinking, “How can it get any worse?” And then think ten minutes later, “How can it get any worse than that?” And then it does. Some of the most memorable moments happen before Reagan’s exorcism begins. Poor Reagan goes from bad to worse-so much happens in the first 2/3 of the movie. The tension is palpable from the first frame, and it just keeps growing. I’m normally not a fan of movies where the first hour is spent laying the groundwork for 30 minutes of scare (i.e., Wolf Creek), but this movie does that and it’s not boring. I just watched this movie again recently, and man… it was awesome. What I will say, is that The Exorcist is the best possession or Devil-themed horror film ever made.
But I also know some people who laugh when they see this movie it doesn’t scare them at all. There are many people who say this is the scariest movie of all time.
0 kommentar(er)
