Shudder Original Series: Cursed Films 101: The Exorcist
Shudder’s new original series explores films that have been rumored to have been cursed, and they start with the godfather(no pun intended) of them all: The Exorcist.
Well, we’re halfway to Halloween, and I think there’s no better time to look into Shudder’s newest series: Cursed Films 101: The Exorcist!
Beyond the Rumors
The episode starts off with a partial list of the strange occurrences, but that’s where the similarity to any run of the mill YouTube Clickbait ends.
This episode dives into the factual events that can be documented; sudden deaths in the families of cast and crew, fires, actor’s deaths, on-set accidents, some of which made it into the film because the pain the actors felt was so disturbing and raw. Regan(Linda Blair) had her lower spine fractured in a scene!
Murderer on Set
This episode delves far deeper than the quick list makers. Murderer Paul Bateson was an extra, an actual medical professional used in a traumatic hospital scene. While this has become pretty common knowledge in the horror crowd, most list shows don’t go into detail about the murder. Cursed Films does. Radiologist Barton Lane is interviewed about his time with the killer.
Pazuzu
Yes, Pazuzu was an actual deity worshipped in Northern Iraq. But he wasn’t just considered evil per se, he was considered a powerful lesser of two evils. His amulets were worn by pregnant women and put around the necks of children to protect them from Lamashtu(if you want to get into their relationship more, Constantine had a two part episode about them entitled “The Saint of Last Resorts,” available here.).
Faith
A large part of The Exorcist rests on the faith of its two main priests, elderly Father Merrin(Max von Sydow) and young Father Karras(Jason Miller).
The set was actually blessed by a Jesuit priest, the Pope praised the film, while minister Billy Graham despised it.
The episode explored the importance of faith in the movie. This might seem out of place in a series about curses, but it fits right in when viewed with the rest of the material, especially since it follows a non-priest furniture salesman cum exorcist that charges for his sessions. This begs the questions: Are these non-ordained entrepreneurs a lingering curse begotten of the movie’s success? Or do they actually help people(warning: one the “exorcisms” on film features real vomit)?
Some supposed that the movie treated the subject flippantly, or that the subject should never have been put on film at all and that is why the movie is cursed.
Rare Behind the Scenes Footage
Even if cinematic urban legends don’t interest you, the rare footage may. There is a scene of the accident where Linda’s vertebra is hurt. You see the second the film crew realizes that the young actress is actually in pain. It is an unexpected punch in the gut.
Even more chilling, Linda Blair asks who they do all this for. The answer: us.
New Interviews
Linda Blair discusses the film and its director, the doctor that worked with killer Paul Bateson speaks, as does Eileen Dietz, Linda’s stand in for the more controversial crucifix scene, and as the face of Pazuzu. Look behind her during her interview and tell me if the candlesticks on the mantel are Pazuzus, because I’m tellin’ ya…I think they may be.
Threats
A great question brought up is why so much hate was aimed at Linda by the public, and not other young actors in the horror films of the time. It was so bad that she-a very young girl- had to have bodyguards. I’m not a feminist, but the theories about her gender playing a part definitely hold weight.
Cursed or PR Stunt?
Mentioned more than once by a few interviewed is that The Exorcist had a great PR department.
That may be true, but it doesn’t take away from all the fires, deaths, and mishaps, right?
Left Up to the Viewer
Is The Exorcist cursed? The evidence is laid out. The verdict is up to the viewer.
Do you believe?
Great Start to a New Series
If you just want a checklist of supposed and alleged incidents with nothing to back the rumors up, this is not for you. I knew maybe 90% of the information about the curses from watching other documentaries, etc.. But the gaps filled, new interviews, and behind the scenes footage make this a show worth watching.
