In one particularly disturbing scene early in the film, we begin to see clues that something is wrong with Regan when she walks backward down the stairs on her hands with a mouthful of blood - a scene that was originally omitted from the theatrical release and added in later for the extended director’s cut. The team even added moving eyes and 'breath' to the dummy head to make it all more concincing. In order to achieve Regan’s upsetting 360-degree neck turn, Friedkin’s special effects team created a fiberglass mold of Blair’s head set atop a rubber dummy used for the body - a creative and pioneering method that has become the norm for special effects houses. Read More: How 'Evil Dead Rise' Carries on Sam Raimi's DIY Filmmaking Legacy Regan’s Spinning Head Effect Let's take a look at some of the most iconic effects used in the film.

And they were so convincing that theater-goers fainted, vomited, and just up and abandoned their friends in their theater seats. Utilizing low-tech methods, Friedkin and his team managed to create graphic special effects practically (that means without the help of CGI or anything computer generated). You know what I'm talking about - the throat swelling, the pea soup vomiting, and, hello, that demonic voice!Īll of these things were created completely in-camera. One of the most notable aspects of the production of The Exorcist is the special effects. Read More: 25 Films You Have to Watch If You're Writing a Horror Script The Special Effects in The Exorcist Were Amazing After seeking help from doctors and psychologists once Regan's condition becomes worse, Chris ultimately decides to ask Father Damien Karras for help to decide what is wrong with her.Īs the title of the film might suggest, Karras determines Regan is possessed by the Devil and reluctantly agrees to perform a dangerous exorcism with the help of an experienced priest and paleontologist, Father Lankester Merrin Enter Now | Early Deadline in 2 days What is The Exorcist About?īased on William Peter Blatty’s 1971 novel (which was based on a true story), The Exorcist tells the story of actress Chris MacNeil and her 12-year-old daughter Regan who begins to exhibit strange behavior.

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