The 50th Anniversary Of ‘The Exorcist’

Tuesday, December 26 will the 50th anniversary of when The Exorcist came out in theaters. Based on the 1971 novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty, The Exorcist tells the story of a young girl named Regan (portrayed by Linda Blair) who becomes demonically possessed after playing with a Ouija board. She soon is displaying the signs of possession — such as turning her head backwards, having sores across her body, projecting vomit, speaking in foreign languages, having abnormal strength, being able to move objects, and knowing details about other individuals that she would have no way of knowing. Her mother has physicians examine her, but to no avail. Thus, an exorcism is performed on Regan by two priests — Father Lankester Merrin and Father Damien Karras. At one point during the ritual, the demon possessing Regan takes the appearance of Father Damien’s mother (who had recently died) and blames Father Damien for her death despite his denials. Father Lankester then has Father Damien leave the room while he continues the exorcism. Soon afterward, Father Damien returns only to find out that Father Lankester is dead from an apparent heart attack. He then begins to physically attack Regan, demanding that the demon leave her and possess him instead. The demon does so, and Father Damien jumps out the window and tumbles down a flight of stairs outside. Regan’s mother enters the room and finds out that Regan is no longer possessed. Meanwhile, Father Joseph Dyer (a colleague of Father Damien) administers the Last Rites to Father Damien as he dies.

One of the best-known horror films of all time, The Exorcist is said to have left audiences spellbound. In fact, some viewers were so affected by watching the movie that paramedics were called in to treat those who had either fainted or became hysterical. Other incidents regarding the reaction of viewers include people being so traumatized by the film that they had to be institutionalized, a pregnant woman having a miscarriage, and another viewer committing suicide. In addition, the film was banned in some parts of the world.

But perhaps the most interesting fact about The Exorcist is that it was based on a true story of demonic possession back in 1949. And instead of a girl being possessed, it was a boy named Robbie in the Washington, D.C. area. He had played with a Ouija board, which led to his possession. After being examined physically and mentally, his family’s Lutheran minister took him in for observation. After witnessing supernatural phenomena, the minister realized something demonic was taking place and suggested to Robbie’s parents that they see a Catholic Priest. They did so, and the priest they went to realized Robbie was possessed. The priest had Robbie admitted to a hospital in order to perform an exorcism, even having Robbie strapped to a bed. But while attempting to exorcise the demon, Robbie broke free of his restraints, tore a steel spring from the mattress, and sliced the priest’s arm (which required over one hundred stitches to close the wound).

Not long afterwards, the name “Louis” had appeared on Robbie’s chest — indicating St. Louis, where Robbie family was from. They then went there and stayed with relatives. Eventually, a couple of priests and a seminarian would attempt to exorcise the demon. One of the priests kept a journal of the exorcism, the details of which became the basis for Platty’s novel.

The exorcism reached its climax on Easter Monday (the day after Easter) in the hospital where the priests had Robbie admitted to. On that day, the demon told the priests that it would not leave until a certain word was said, and that the priests would never say it. Soon afterward, the voice of St. Michael the Archangel was heard, who then told the demon to leave in the name of Dominus (which is Latin for “Lord”). Several moments later, Robbie was no longer possessed. He went on to live a normal life.

In spite of the controversy, The Exorcist is one of the best-known horror films of all time.