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Boorman's Exorcist Sequel: A Mortifying Spectacle
23 Sep
Summary
- John Boorman recounts the painful experience of directing Exorcist II: The Heretic.
- The sequel was initially panned by critics and audiences alike.
- The film's visual ambition and Steadicam use were groundbreaking.
Director John Boorman has detailed his deeply painful and mortifying experience making Exorcist II: The Heretic, the much-maligned sequel to the 1973 horror classic. Boorman had initially turned down the first film but was persuaded to direct the follow-up, a project he fundamentally didn't believe in. The 1977 film, despite boasting Linda Blair and Max von Sydow, and featuring Richard Burton and Louise Fletcher, was widely derided for its bizarre, unintentionally comedic elements, starkly contrasting with the terror of its predecessor.
Exorcist II: The Heretic was visually ambitious, notably pioneering the use of Steadicam. However, its critical reception was overwhelmingly negative, with audiences famously erupting in laughter rather than fear. Boorman attempted to salvage the film through extensive recuts, but the damage was already done. The film's disastrous reception is seen as a contributing factor to the end of 'blind bidding' by movie theater chains, a practice that had previously cushioned studios from risk.
In retrospect, some argue that Exorcist II: The Heretic might be an interesting, misunderstood film, praised by a few critics like Pauline Kael for its experimental visuals. Boorman's candid account highlights the immense pressure and challenging creative environment of the era, compounded by the significant cultural impact of Star Wars, which overshadowed all other releases in 1977.
