DVD
still killer
|
With Ellen
Burstyn, Max Von Sydow, Linda Blair, Jason Miller In
1973 a film was released that shocked the whole world (except South
Africa - being one of the backward countries believing it might destroy
its perfect population's morals). Not a horror film, gorefest or mere
exercise in blasphemy, The
Exorcist was and
still is a masterpiece. Part drama, part struggle of faith and all mesmerizing,
writer William
Peter Blatty and
director Friedkin
take us on a mind-blowing trip of possession in the modern world. Yes,
everyone knows about the queues around the block at theatres as well
as churches and the green projectile vomiting and crude words of blasphemy
coming from the possessed little girl's oral cavity (still hectic).
But, as a whole it is a touching (and disturbing) drama of a mother's
inability to protect her child from a force beyond her. After scientific
explanation fails, she has to turn to the clergy to perform an exorcism,
herself not at all religious. Brilliantly made, superbly acted and almost
immaculately executed, after 30 years it still packs a punch and a half
or two. Some will still go away from it feeling severely pummeled. This
director's cut is not a mere re-release excuse - and even if it was,
it doesn't matter, since not many of us (in SA) had the privilege of
seeing this classic on the glorious big screen - besides being too young
(or unborn) on top of its banned status. The additional scenes and sequences
do not necessarily enhance or detract from the film as its original
genius is still well in tact. 6
/ A |
THE
EXORCIST
