The Exorcist (BFI Modern Classics)

The British Film Institute's Modern Classic series are short, critical analyses of ...well...modern film classics. In this one, they take on the horror film "The Exorcist".Overall, this is a thoughtful analysis that gave me a better understanding of the movie. However, since the book is short (116 pages, about 30 of them pictures), it is not a deep analysis.The author mostly argures that the movie shows good's triumph over evil, making "The Exorcist" a deeply spiritual movie. I had realized this on some level, though I never left "The Exorcist" with the same warm fuzzies I got watching, say, "The Bells of St. Mary".Other than that, there is some background on the real-life exorcism that inspired the novel, bits of interesting trivia, for instance, other considerations for the role of the possessed gir's mother (Shirley McClaine, Anne Bancroft). Some symbolism and foreshadowing are also pointed out.The book doesn't go much deeper than that. For instance, there were obvious "homages" to Hitchcock in the movie that even I picked upon, which I had hoped would be further detailed in the book. Nor were There many explanations on choices of camera angles, lighting, etc. And, i don't think the author supported his assessment of a "deeply" textured film....more a "moderately" textured film.Time is spent describing scenes cut for the original release, but later restored for the anniversary re-release. These descriptions are lenghty and slow, as it was assumed the reader had no conception of the scenes, since the book was written before the restoration. The "revised 2nd edition" refers mostly to an epilogue about the film’s restoration and the transcript of a discussion between William Peter Blatty and William Friedkin it.The book still makes an overall quick read and enriches the viewing experience for the casual viewer. However, it's not a study of the film for film students. Although they would still get some value from this book, they would need to go further.

This book was very in depth into the making of "The Exorcist." It provides a lot of insight into what went on behind the scenes. It was a rather interesting read for any fan of the movie. I would recommend this book to all horror fans.

Great item and seller!

...This superb dissection of the making of the movie "TheExorcist" is a must have for those interested in devil worship,the Holy-wood treatment of obscure Christian beliefs and traditions,and it is a darn good read. In its particulars, this book belongs onthe same shelf as Orson Welles 58-page objection to the studio'smangling of "Touch of Evil."I was fascinated with theinsights of the artistic conflicts between the director and the authorof the original book upon which the movie is based. He devotes justthe right amount of analysis to the legal fights surrounding theproper credits for Mercedes McCambridge, the 'voice' of the demon, andthe stunt double for the possessed girl, including the famousexorcised 'spider' crawl. He does not allude to the portrayal ofTeilhard de Chardin by Max von Syndow, but does justify his owninsights concerning a homoerotic element not intended by either theauthor or the director, but present within this cinematicclassic.One need not have a personal belief in demonic possession,and the ability of priests to 'exorcise' multiple personalities, totruly enjoy both the movie, and Kermode's medical school Anatomy 301dissection of one of the 100 best movies. The Movie, this book, andthe CD Soundtrack are five-star winners. AMDG

I'm a tremendous fan of William Friedkin and his seminal horror flick The Exorcist. But I'm kind of torn about this book. On the one level, it's nice to have a serious book that considers so many angles on the film, the director, and the source material.However, this is now the 3rd edition of this book in about five years. Actually, this is called the 'Revised 2nd Edition'. I bought the first two, now why should I plunk down more money?Mark Kermode is apparently obsessed with this film, maybe a bit too much. As if two books and a part in numerous Exorcist documentaries were not enough for him, we have another edition of the book. Take it easy, Mr. Kermode, it's one movie. I would rather have another BFI book on another Friedkin film (French Connection, Sorcerer, To Live and Die in LA, etc.)If you don't have either of the two previous editions, I would highly recommend this. I'm guessing the update was primarily to address The Exorcist: The Version You've Never Seen (one of the most shameless movie titles ever), which of course, included scenes Kermose certainly had seen, and written about in the first two books. But overall, a reverent book.

I thought The Exorcist novel (written by William Peter Blatty) was truly frightening and a brilliant novel so I bought The Exorcist BFI Modern Classics by Mark Kermode as a companion novel.5 Stars for Mark Kermode for his companion novel, it provided an excellent insight into the making of The Exorcist movie. Plus there are lots of on set pictures (including ones of Linda Blair in full makeup as the demonic child Regan MacNeil)as well.Lots of details regarding how the book was written, the many scripts to be used for filming, how the scenes were made, deleted scenes, etc.I recommend it for any fans of 'The Exorcist'

Though many books have discussed the classic film THE EXORCIST, none has been so intricate and detailed as this. Author Mark Kermode shows he is both a fan and a historian of the film, its meanings and background. He goes to great lengths to understand, and share with readers, what the film is all about, and what went into making a legendary work. Highly recommended.

A phenomenally well researched study of The Exorcist. This is a very insightful look into the film itself, studying it against the backdrop of the political climate and culture that was subsuming American society at the time.The first four chapters of the book are exactly the same as the first edition. This was written prior to the "Version you've never seen" and even then hinted at missing or cut footage, certain items of which create holes in the logic of the original cut. The book breaks down individual scenes and discusses the director's and writer's growing dissension with each other over the film that was being created.The fifth chapter discusses the additional footage that was added decades after the film had gained it's position as a seminal work of horror. With the director and writer being having matured further, they both looked upon the film and its content with different eyes. It appears the author also had his hand in digging up archival footage to research his "Hand of God" documentary.In all the book is brilliant and comes highly recommended for any fan of the film. I have got a copy of the first edition too, so for £12.99 the cost based on the additional material is to my mind a little steep; however, I HAD to read it, so didn't have a choice. The purchase was still worthwhile.

This was the one film I vowed never to watch....until a certain respected film critic (and by the accounts I can find, like the writer and director, a 'man of faith') lavished praise on this film. So I took the plunge and watched the film some 40 years+ after its initial release. It's fair to say that I loved every minute of it- such a credit that even now this film on a few occasions literally had me on the edge of my seat. As another reviewer has so rightly said, Kermode's passion for the film is evident throughout. It really is an utterly fascinating read. Well researched, great photography and worth the second edition alone for the highly personal transcript between Blatty and Friedkin- how I wish more screenwriters and directors would have such a close and candid relationship. Very highly recommended.

Being a fan of Kermode's various other books and tv documentaries, I would have been very surprised if I hadn't enjoyed this 2nd edition of his Exorcist work.Kermode is not only perfectly knowledgeable of the history of the film but offers a pacey and entertaining thesis on it's, supposedly, troubled making; whether that be the difficulties from clashes between the director and writer or the number of deaths and mishaps during filming. You never feel preached-at (no pun intended), and makes for perfect companion piece to both the film and the Fear of God documentary. Great for both the dedicated film buff and the casual reader alike. Highly recommended.

If you need a guide to The scariest film ever then let Mark Kermode tell you a few things about an Extraordinary visual experience. The Exorcist has been one of the most controversial movies since it's release in 1973. There are a lot of rumours that went along with the movie, but Mark who adores this movie, takes a look at all of them many that were hearsay. There are also photo stills from the movie and if you've seen the movie or read the book and still have some questions-read this and it should answer most of them.Interesting if you enjoyed the movie.

Brilliant analysis of The Exorcist movie from a fan whose passion surpasses even my own.