SUNDAY 6 OCTOBER 2PM THE EXORCIST (USA 1973) 122 mins
Inspired by a 1949 case of supposed demonic possession and exorcism, William Peter Blatty’s novel (and the subsequent film he scripted and produced) has become one of the most influential horror films ever made. Numerous directors such as Mike Nichols, Arthur Penn and Stanley Kubrick were considered but Blatty fought for William Friedkin whose direction has become a master class for anyone wishing to work in the horror genre. Blatty saw Friedkin as “a director who can bring the look of documentary realism to this incredible story.”
Despite an initial lack of faith by the studio, The Exorcist went on to become Warner Bros’ highest-grossing film at that point and was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, the first time a horror film had ever been nominated. It went on to win two awards, for Best Sound Mixing and Best Adapted Screenplay. Cinefantastique wrote that “The Exorcist has done for the horror film what 2001 did for science fiction.” It has been named the scariest film of all time (by Entertainment Weekly in 1999), and the Library of Congress selected it, in 2010, to be preserved as part of its National Film Registry as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.
This session will be presented by Clare Toonen and Damien Spiccia who will host a discussion after the screening.
William Peter Blatty’s novel is available in paperback, Kindle and Audible.
Doors/Bar 1.00pm Film 2.00pm
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