Classic horror, source of inspiration for the rest of the genre or even “the most terrifying film of all time”. There is no shortage of superlatives to qualify the 1973 Exorcist. Tuesday, August 7, the world learned with sadness of the death of its director William Friedkin. The opportunity to come back to some anecdotes around this film, a source of trauma for an entire generation.
To achieve a maximum level of realism and anxiety during filming, William Friedkin did not hesitate to use more than questionable means. For example, he sometimes violently slapped actors just before filming or fired shots in the studio to create real panic among the actors.
The director had also chosen to immerse the set in total cold, close to 0°C, to obtain realistic icy breaths from the actors. A situation very badly experienced by the main actress Linda Blair. During an interview, the actress declared that she could no longer bear the cold since this traumatic film in front of and behind the screen.
Among the highlights of The Exorcist, it would be unthinkable not to mention the music of Mike Oldfield. The main theme Tubular bells, whose first notes could make anyone shiver, has become one of the most cult films in cinema. Nevertheless, to achieve this quality, William Friedkin did not hesitate to oust two world-renowned composers. Bernard Herrmann – author of the soundtrack of Psychosis or even Taxi Driver – initially planned for the music, had not succeeded in convincing the American director. Same case for Lalo Schifrin – notably known for having composed the famous theme of Mission Impossible – whose proposal was considered too “grandiose”, not refined enough. The demanding William Friedkin had therefore ended up setting his sights on Mike Oldfield, thus propelling the career of this little-known young British musician.
Released 50 years ago, the Exorcist still bears the label of “cursed film” today. It must be said that the disturbing elements followed one another around its realization. Nine people who were part of the film crew or those around them died during the adventure. The most striking disappearance being that of actor Jack MacGowran, interpreter of Burke Dennings, who died shortly after the film was wrapped from a particularly virulent flu.
Accidents were also legion on and off set. The actress Ellen Burstyn, had seriously injured her back due to a bad fall during a scene of mutilation with the crucifix. Off the set, the son of Jason Miller playing the role of Father Damien Karras, had been hit by a motorcycle on a beach and seriously injured. To make matters worse for the mystical rumors surrounding the film, a massive fire that occurred at the end of filming had delayed its release by almost two months.
Despite all these elements, William Peter Blatty, author of the book from which the film is adapted, never believed these rumors of curses. For him, many stories had been amplified or even invented to communicate around the feature film. As for the deaths, it would be a combination of circumstances. “In a year, it is inevitable that people will be injured or die,” he said in an interview.
For the voice of the spirit in possession of the body of the young Linda Blair, William Friedkin was, there again, very demanding. The director wanted to reproduce a “rough, powerful, deep, deafening” voice as it was portrayed in the original novel. For this, he had appealed to the actress Mercedes McCambridge. One hundred percent involved in the project, she had decided to do everything to best embody the demon. A former alcoholic and smoker for almost 30 years, she had decided to resume her consumption for the purposes of the film. During the three weeks of recording, the 50-year-old spent her days smoking cigarettes, drinking bourbon and eating raw eggs to achieve a “guttural voice with a threatening tone” as described by William Friedkin. To add to the realism, Mercedes McCambridge also asked to have her feet and fists tied to a chair when her character was in pain.
Considered one of the most significant horror films in the history of cinema, The Exorcist has also become a model of profitability. To this day, it remains one of Warner Bros.’ major hits, grossing $193 million in North America alone between 1973 and 1974. In total, the film grossed over $440 million worldwide. becoming the biggest box office hit of 1973. With a tight budget of $12 million, it was also the third highest-grossing horror film in history behind It and Jaws.
