The author of the 1973 version of “The Exorcist” returned on Oct. 31 to the location that inspired such ghastly and thought-provoking film: Georgetown.
“The Exorcist” tells the story of Regan MacNeil and her possession by demonic forces. Eventually, Father Merrin (Max Von Sydow; “Shutter Island”) and Father Damien Karras (Jason Miller) must duel with the demon and save MacNeil from the possession.
William Peter Blatty, who won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the film, opened up his Q&A session at AMC Georgetown theater with a surprising confession: he was formerly a comedy writer.
“I had written two screenplays for Don Rickles… and after the film came out he called me up and said ‘Blatty, I called up my ma this morning and said that Bill had wrote the Exorcist.’ And she said, ‘how’s that possible?’” Blatty said.
Blatty’s original intent in writing the novel was not to produce anything horrifying.
“I thought it was a supernatural thriller story,” he said. “I had no idea I was trying to scare anybody.”
Blatty said he had not seen a horror film in years, especially after seeing the end of the original “Wicker Man,” which he claimed “haunted me for years.”
He humorously compared writing the novel to Jack Nicholson’s character in “The Shining.”
“For six weeks in a cabin in the woods, it was all work and no play, except for when I got groceries,” Blatty said.
Blatty also delved into his experience writing the movie, recounting how the Warner Brothers wanted him to cut the chilling prologue that takes place in Iraq, when Father Merrin discovers the statue of Pazuzu.
After the film’s release, a Warner Bros. executive came out of the theater and said “This is going to be our ‘Cleopatra,’” expecting it to be a flop.
Today “The Exorcist” remains an essential, well-known horror film.
thescene@theeagleonline.com
