Research: Film Review 2 (The Exorcist)

Film title:  The Exorcist              Director: William Friedkin
Year of Production:1973                                                     Genre: Horror

Brief plot outline:

A visiting actress in Washington, D.C., notices dramatic and dangerous changes in the behaviour and physical make-up of her 12-year-old daughter. Meanwhile, a young priest at nearby Georgetown University begins to doubt his faith while dealing with his mother's terminal sickness. And, book-ending the story, a frail, elderly priest recognizes the necessity for a show-down with an old demonic enemy.

Which two scenes impressed you the most? Why?

The two scenes I found most impressive used a lot of stereotypical horror conventions which I though made them effective, the first being father Karras’s vivid dream after the death of his mother. I thought this scene was effective as it used many techniques to make it clear that it was not reality and in his mind. The first thing I spotted was the diegetic sound of snoring/heavy breathing and ambient subtle music using synthesisers over the top of the montage. This creates effect and embeds that it is in his dream. Another thing I liked about it was at the end of the dream there is a collision cut to Regan screaming, this is a big change in sound and is unexpected to the audience. This makes sure it keeps the audience interested and engaged in the film as it keeps them on edge. The other scene that impressed me when the final exorcism scene. By using a low blue lighting in the whole room, it emphasises the coldness of the room but also connotes evil of the demon that is inside Regan. By using lots of diegetic sounds of doors slamming and screaming helps build up tension of the scene. This makes the audience feel anxious/scared and worried about what might happen next.

How was watching this film helped you understand this genre of filmmaking? Which features on the genre checklist did you spot in this film? When? How?

From watching the film it has showed me that moderate use of many different horror genre techniques can be very effective and make it more realistic. When watching this film I found many aspects of the horror genre checklist. These aspects were spread out throughout the film to make it interesting all the way through. What I first noticed about the characters and representations of the film was that there weren’t the typical character types like that of a normal generic horror. Father Karras is the male hero of the film, we see this when he sacrifices himself to the devil whilst Regan is the female victim for being possessed by the devil. There aren’t any other representations of characters I found which may go outside the expected characteristics of a horror film. The mise-en-scene of body horror and low key lighting is used subtly but effectively in the film to make sure the audience feel a sense of uncomfort. Body horror is used in many scenes of when Regan is possessed, for example when her head turns a full 360 degrees. Low key lighting is used when Chris goes into the attic to hear what the noise is. This makes the audience feel anxious as to what is in there and creates a sense of vulnerability. The use of parallel music is used throughout the film, by using instruments like pianos and string instruments the audience recognise that it is a horror film and feel tension and anxiousness from this. There are many editing techniques used in this film like slow editing, fast editing and montage/collision cutting. Slow editing is mainly used when there is an important scene that shows emotion. For example when Chris speaks to father Karras about Regen the use of slow editing is used to show both of their emotions and their reactions to what is happening. Fast editing is used when a major thing happens in the film, mainly to show everyone’s emotions to what is happening. For example fast editing is used when the exorcism is trying to take place, fast editing between father Merrin and Karras and Regen’s face for impact and create a fast pace scene. Collision cutting is the most frequent editing technique used throughout the film and is effectively used to scare the audience. For example a collision cut is used at the start of the film between Chris’s house and the train station. The contrast in sounds (from silent to loud) is a shock to the audience and keeps them intrigued as to what might happen next.

Which aspects of the film would you like to INCLUDE in your own trailer? Why?

The main aspect I would like to include in my own trailer is the use of collision cutting. I think from this film it has showed me how effective it can be to help attract the audience by shock tactics from silent to loud and slow to quick. Another aspect I would like to include in my trailer is expressionist angles as I feel it portrays someone’s insanity very well.

Which aspects of the film would you like to AVOID in your own trailer? Why?

There is only one aspect I would avoid from this film and that is the lack of characters and representation. I think by not having many representative characters it could make the film have less diversity that could make it boring. I will make sure in my film that I have different roles that represent the generic horror characteristics.

What was the best aspect/more enjoyable moment of the film? Why? Can you recreate this in your own film? How?

The most enjoyable moment of the film for me was the final exorcism on Regan. I think the use of lighting and demonic sounds creates an eerie vibe. Another aspect I think is really effective is seeing vapour on the characters breath when they talk, I think this really emphasises how cold it is in the room. I would be able to recreate this by either filming in a cold location that is well lit. This could work well with what I want to so I might take this technique to consideration.

How does the film reflect its institutional or historical context? Analyse two scenes/events that reflect the time which the film was made?

 This film has a few historical contexts which can be seen in the film the main one being unemployment and poverty in the capitalist slums of America in the 1960/70’s. One scene we see this when father Karras is walking back to his house. There are children climbing on cars and graffiti on the walls. This is a connotation of poverty and could show how it was time when not many people had money and it may have been an unsafe place to be at this time. Another historical context I spotted was that this was around the time of many major historical events in America. There was mounting power of communism from other countries at the time; the Vietnam was in full swing with the highest death rates of Vietnamese civilians. This was also around the time that J.F Kennedy was assassinated. All of these things are the manifestations of evil and could be the result of why this film was made at the time it did.