Number one on Time Out, this is definitely one of the most famous horror films of all time. I had never seen it before, yet knew so many of the lines, characters, scenes and set ups from popular references and phrases that have slipped into our lexicon. This is a proper horror movie (IMDB lists it only as a horror) and the biggest shock is probably that it’s actually pretty good.

La plume de ma tante.

The Exorcist (1973) sets up at a nice steady pace, then things gradually start getting out of control. The initial root of terror is the unexplained sickness of a child, which derives from horrifying aspects of reality. The film is largely framed through the eyes of the mother, who loses one person and has to deal with the whole demonic situation whilst ineffectually aided by clincal doctors and experts who can offer no answers or practical solutions.

So what happened which was unexpected (spoilers if you’ve been living under a rock)? Well we all know the spinny head, the floating, the angry sexual things said to priests… what I wasn’t expecting was the opening few scenes, the somehow chillingly normal 1970s setting, and the ending.

It’s good then? Yes. It has Max von Sydow in it.

What are the best bits (intentionally-vague slight-spoilers)? It’s nicely paced. The story is consistent. The characters are believable. It’s based on normality, with the whole ‘exorcism’ thing being the outlier. It isn’t over-explained. In many ways it’s quite a simple tale told simply.

Is it scary then? Not massively, but it could definitely be described as unsettling, particularly insofar as it points to real life.

What are the worst bits? It’s naturally a little dated and maybe feels a touch long. It’s still not the greatest film ever made, but then again what is?

This month is a little more worthwhile then? Oh so very slightly. If nothing else I’ve finally seen a film that has informed so many other cultural items, that my previous unseeing of it was probably an unreasonable oversight.