The Exorcist (BFI Modern Classics) [Paperback]

Mark Kermode (Author)

Book Description

Series: BFI Modern Classics | Publication Date: January 1998

The film THE EXORCIST presents a harrowing account of the modern urban world ripped apart by an obscene, ancient evil. Film critic Mark Kermode here traces the film back to the alleged "real life" case and provides new insights into scenes cut from the released version as well as the film's special effects. Includes interviews with book author William Peter Blatty, director William Friedkin, and star Linda Blair. Color illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Kermode's opus remains the definitive work on the movie." -- Empire --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Mark Kermode is a freelance film critic who contributes regularly to Q magazine and Sight and Sound. He is resident film critic for BBC Radio One and a regular contributor to BBC Radio Two and Radio Four. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: British Film Inst (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0851706223
• ISBN-13: 978-0851706221
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,081,184 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Detailed and Excellent!, September 27, 2000

By 

Jason Paul Collum - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Exorcist (BFI Modern Classics) (Paperback)

Though many books have discussed the classic film THE EXORCIST, none has been so intricate and detailed as this. Author Mark Kermode shows he is both a fan and a historian of the film, its meanings and background. He goes to great lengths to understand, and share with readers, what the film is all about, and what went into making a legendary work. Highly recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Interesting, April 2, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Exorcist (BFI Modern Classics) (Paperback)

This is one of the most interesting books you can find on The Exorcist.If you love the move you'll definitly want to buy this book,it tells all about the movie. My favorite part of the book was when they told about how fredkin added scenes to the original trailer and movie that were subliminal,buy the book and find out how and what for.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Job of Cinematic Dissection, September 15, 2000

By 

M KIRK-DUGGAN "Reverse Mike" (El Cerrito Fellowship, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Exorcist (BFI Modern Classics) (Paperback)

...This superb dissection of the making of the movie "The
Exorcist" is a must have for those interested in devil worship,
the Holy-wood treatment of obscure Christian beliefs and traditions,
and it is a darn good read. In its particulars, this book belongs on
the same shelf as Orson Welles 58-page objection to the studio's
mangling of "Touch of Evil."

I was fascinated with the
insights of the artistic conflicts between the director and the author
of the original book upon which the movie is based. He devotes just
the right amount of analysis to the legal fights surrounding the
proper credits for Mercedes McCambridge, the 'voice' of the demon, and
the stunt double for the possessed girl, including the famous
exorcised 'spider' crawl. He does not allude to the portrayal of
Teilhard de Chardin by Max von Syndow, but does justify his own
insights concerning a homoerotic element not intended by either the
author or the director, but present within this cinematic
classic.

One need not have a personal belief in demonic possession,
and the ability of priests to 'exorcise' multiple personalities, to
truly enjoy both the movie, and Kermode's medical school Anatomy 301
dissection of one of the 100 best movies. The Movie, this book, and
the CD Soundtrack are five-star winners. AMDG