THE EXORCIST
Directed by William Freidkin
Starring: Linda Blair, Max Von Sydow, Ellen Burstyn and Jason Miller

Twenty-seven years is a long time in the horror world, long enough to dull the impact that the unbanning of the Exorcist. Thanks to James Ferman and his draconian ideals at the BBFC, this not so shocking after all film was banned for nearly fifteen years. It was during this time that it gathered a reputation that labelled it the scariest film every made. The sort of film that parents would threaten there children with if they did not sleep.

At times it seemed like the director was not sure which way he wanted the film to go, a misogynistic allegory on puberty or a straight out slug-fest between good and evil. But that doe not take anything away from the film, which still has th ability in places to whiten the toughest knuckles.

Viewing the film in the 21^st century you would probably be more amazed at the slow pace and protracted religious mumbo-jumbo than at any bloodletting or outrageous blasphemy. Looking at the film in the cold light of day, you realise that the film is a powerful, manure and professionally restrained movie, which took a pulpy horror novel and turned it into one of the best films of the 1970s.