Product Details

• Actors: Dustin Lawyer, Joe Kelly, Debs Szymkowiak, Tony Colavito, Ellen Strauss
• Directors: Charles Vanderpool
• Writers: Brian J. Kelly, Marilyn Vanderpool, Eleanor Grant, Thomas B. Allen
• Producers: Brian J. Kelly, Helen Ryan, Marilyn Vanderpool
• Format: Black & White, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Winstar
• VHS Release Date: September 18, 1997
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304475322
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #305,512 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Is there any validity to the supernatural phenomenon of demonic possession? Or can such instances be explained through psychology and science? Charles Vanderpool's fascinating documentary-docudrama, In the Grip of Evil, successfully argues the definite possibility of demonic possession by recounting the alleged 1949 case of a 13-year-old boy that inspired William Peter Blatty's bestselling novel (and, later, blockbuster film adaptation) The Exorcist. Vanderpool aligns a range of interviews, from William Friedkin (director of The Exorcist) to supernatural "experts" to, most convincingly, one of the priests that actually took part in the exorcism. (Their views are countered only by one doubting psychologist, so the documentary is hardly objective.) Unfortunately, Vanderpool also felt the need to use cheesy re-creations of the events, thereby lessening the film's dramatic grip. Regardless of which side of the argument you eventually believe, In the Grip of Evil still leaves you feeling a bit creepy. The DVD is packed with supporting evidence of demonic possession, including the case-study diary of Father Halloran (one of the two priests who conducted the exorcism), newspaper accounts of the events, and interviews with the filmmakers. Those with a DVD-ROM drive can read all the newspaper articles and all the original letters, and print out several versions of the case study. --Dave McCoy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars this DVD comes through on extras, January 24, 2001

By 

"duhutz" (Portland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In The Grip Of Evil [VHS] (VHS Tape)

It's not often you see a good documentary and then get access to the sources used to make it. I was quite impressed with this DVD and the story. It is much better done than your typical documentary fare.

To address the previous reviewer, I checked out the DVD of this documentary and I think they got it pretty much right. The DVD includes the diary of the exorcist priest and letters and newspaper clippings that corroborate all the locations mentioned in the film. If your basis for fact checking is the internet, I'm not at all surprised you think this film is wrong. Check the real sources.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Reasonably good, October 30, 2004

By 

M. Mansfield (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Grip of Evil (DVD)

I have the VHS and most of the facts are correct, as far as I can tell. It isn't supposed to be a "sensationalized" effort. In fact, from all I have seen of the video, it's presented in a very matter-of-fact way.

They're not looking to make "believers" out of people, but present what happened along with a critique from both sides of the issue.

Granted, I wouldn't be watching this for the same purpose as I would the Exorcist. The Exorcist was meant to scare the bejeezers out of you, and this seems to be designed to inform. All in all, well worth the money they charge.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An informational thriller, October 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: In The Grip Of Evil [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Being a HUGE fan of the Exorcist I just had to buy this video. It gave me a lot of understanding on where Blatty got his ideas for the book. It is in now way the movie itself, it is a documentary on the story behined the famous horror film. I actually found it scarier but that's probably because I have seen the movie so many times it has lost effect. Both of them are great!!!!