looks better after the makeover too! hehe!!)
Made in 1973 by director William Friedkin (The French Connection, The Hunted, Rules of Engagement) based on the novel by William Peter Blatty (who also wrote the screenplay) it tells the story of a mother and daughter Chris and Regan McNeil living in 'well to do' Washington D.C. Chris is a successful actress and her daughter Regan is a successful vessel for an evil demon! The demonic possession manifests in a number of ways, notably the startling changes to Regan's voice, the 'refrigeration' of her room (the set was actually refrigerated for this effect, making acting a very uncomfortable experience!), a levitating bed and violent masturbation with a crucifix. A local Priest, Father Karras is enlisted by Chris to help but he struggles because he is already doubting his faith owing to the recent death of his mother and also is skeptical about it being a demonic possession (which is surprising after his terrifying encounters with Regan) but eventually he agrees to call in an exorcism, the Church calls in Father Merrin (we are introduced to him at the very start of the movie on an archeological dig) and him and Karras carry out a violent, messy exorcism (is there any other kind?) resulting in a death but we're not gonna tell you whose, nor the outcome of the exorcism for that matter (on the off chance that one of you may not have seen it!).
