May 29, 2023
This encyclopedic overview of the Exorcist franchise by film historian Segaloff (More Fire!) will satisfy even the most obsessive fans. A publicist on the original 1973 film directed by William Friedkin, Segaloff devotes the bulk of the book to that movie, describing the difficulties of designing believable demonic makeup for actor Linda Blair’s possessed character and Max von Sydow’s struggle as a nonbeliever to get into character as a Jesuit priest. Segaloff also delves into the numerous spin-offs, sequels, and prequels; the 1971 William Peter Blatty novel that Friedkin’s film was based on; and the 1949 alleged exorcism in Cottage City, Md., that inspired Blatty, which Segaloff suggests may have just been a case of a troubled 14-year-old boy acting out to avoid school. The surfeit of minutiae and workmanlike accounts of film production will test readers’ patience, as when Segaloff expounds on the set design and contributions of bit players: “Lou DiGiamo was in charge of casting the extras, and he threw a wide net.” Still, the author’s love for the original film buoys this, and his insights into how Blatty’s ruminations on faith and the existence of God animate his book and screenplay shed new light on the story. The result is a competent celebration of a horror classic.
Starred review from July 1, 2023
While The Exorcist assailed audiences with pea soup and profanity, those aren't the reasons why it became a horror classic. The 1973 film, and the franchise it launched, offer an accessible meditation on the nature of good and evil. Journalist/producer Segaloff (More Fire! The Building of "The Towering Inferno") explores this theme as he deftly guides the reader through The Exorcist's cinematographic and literary legacy. Informed by extensive research and exclusive interviews, the book documents the origin of the film--from the "true" case that inspired William Peter Blatty, one of Hollywood's leading comedy writers, to write the novel and later adapt it to film. Segaloff also touches on the drama behind the drama: the film's allegedly cursed production, the battle over the final cut, and speculation over which infamous scenes featured 13-year-old Linda Blair or her adult stunt double. Segaloff extends his analysis to Blatty's related novels, movie sequels, and the short-lived television series, ending with a look at the new Exorcist trilogy that's currently in production. VERDICT Segaloff's incisive writing untangles Hollywood myths about the horror classic without damaging its mystique. His access to those at the heart of The Exorcist's production offers new revelations, even for longtime fans.--Terry Bosky
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