Monster of the Day #2089

Updated on March 11, 2020 By Ken Begg 16 Comments

Although my first thought of Max Von Sydow was of The Seventh Seal, featured yesterday, I know that for most people it’s his turn as the titular Father Merrin in The Exorcist. I’m sure theaters will play it around Halloween-time, so if you don’t get around to watching it at home anytime soon, you might want to keep an eye out for it this fall.

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  • bgbear_rnh

    I have ever seen it. I felt like the only person who hadn’t when I was young, but I think that when it came out kids my age had no business seeing it. No excuse today other than I don’t want to be disappointed.

  • Gamera977

    Sorry to say I haven’t seen it either. Halfway between too afraid to and worried that it won’t meet my expectations.

    I have seen the sequel though- Ken might not like it but any movie with James Earl Jones dressed as a giant grasshopper is okay in my book…

  • For me, Sydow will always be Ming the Merciless.

  • It’s been ages, so take this for what it’s worth, but The Exorcist is well worth your time. Both the movie and the book.

  • Beckoning Chasm

    He was excellent as Ming, easily the best thing in that movie.

  • Eric Hinkle

    I read the Exorcist years ago. The main thing I remember about it now is how all the “real” horror authors were raging about vile it was that this book took it for granted that Christianity was ‘for real’. I wonder if they had the same problem with Manly Wade Wellman’s ‘John the Balladeer’ stories.

  • Eric Hinkle

    I forget, was it ‘The Exorcist’ or ‘The Omen’ that kicked off all those devil movies from Hollywood — including the oddball ones like ‘Gargoyles’ and ‘Race With the Devil’?

  • zombiewhacker

    Exorcist came first, so I’m assuming it was more influential.

  • Ken_Begg

    Well, I wouldn’t say I don’t like it. It’s not a great movie, though.

    The fear that a film’s reputation will ruin the first viewing experience is a valid one. Either try to watch such a film with no expectations, if possible, or watch it, be disappointed, and eventually return to the film with lowered expectations. Sometimes that second viewing really clicks.

  • Ken_Begg

    Yeah, Rosemary’s Baby kind of got the ball rolling, but The Exorcist really made it a thing. Sort of like with Halloween and Friday the 13th.

  • Gamera977

    Just having a little fun with you Ken, I think if asked to describe Exorcist II I’d call it a mess of a movie.

  • Gamera977

    Oddly, I think I’m more partial to ‘The Devil Rides Out’ than any of these movies.

  • Beckoning Chasm

    A good way to watch “The Shining” as well.

  • Eric Hinkle

    I like that movie myself, Lee made a majestic hero, but part of me will always be the kid who fell in love with the Stan Winston SFX in Gargoyles.

    Though the bad movie fan in me will never stop loving Devil Dog: Hound of Hell. Seriously, the scenes with people cringing away in terror from this adorable German Shepherd puppy are a riot.

  • zombiewhacker

    I would say Exorcist is masterfully crafted on every level but one: none of the characters are engaging on any level and most are barely even sympathetic, and so we feel distanced from the goings-on for a good portion of the movie. So on the one hand while we of course sympathize with Blair’s plight, at the same time it’s not like we had fond, lasting memories of her character before her transformation.

  • Ditto.