The making of The Exorcist was a tumultuous journey, filled with bizarre incidents and unsettling occurrences that have become legendary in Hollywood folklore. Here are some crazy facts about the film:
The Real-Life Inspiration:
- A True Story: The film draws inspiration from the 1949 case of a 13-year-old boy in Maryland, nicknamed "Roland Doe," who allegedly exhibited demonic possession. While the film's plot is fictionalized, it draws heavily from the real-life events.
- The Book: William Peter Blatty, the screenwriter and director, wrote the novel The Exorcist based on his research into the "Roland Doe" case.
The Set:
- Cursed Set: The film's set was plagued with bizarre occurrences, from equipment malfunctions to injuries on set. Many crew members reported feeling uneasy, claiming the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.
- The "Demon" Room: The room where the most intense scenes were filmed, including the iconic head-spinning scene, was reportedly the source of many of the strange happenings.
- The "Demon" Dog: A dog belonging to the set designer mysteriously died on set, contributing to the growing sense of unease.
The Cast and Crew:
- Ellen Burstyn's Injury: Ellen Burstyn, who played Chris MacNeil, suffered a serious spinal injury during the filming of the "spinning head" scene. The injury required surgery and left her with lasting pain.
- Linda Blair's Vomit: Linda Blair, who played Regan MacNeil, was required to vomit repeatedly during filming. Due to the frequency of these scenes, Blair became ill and even required a doctor's visit.
- The Exorcist Curse: Many people associated with the film, including actors, crew members, and even the film's producer, experienced personal tragedies, including death and illness.
The Impact:
- The "Exorcist" Scare: The film's release sparked a widespread "exorcist" scare across the world. People began reporting demonic possessions and seeking out priests for exorcisms.
- The Vatican's Involvement: The film's popularity and the real-life events that inspired it led the Vatican to issue a statement on demonic possession and exorcism.
The filming of The Exorcist was a whirlwind of both creative brilliance and bizarre occurrences, leaving a lasting legacy on cinema and popular culture.
