Boorman and the Devil: A Cult Disaster Doc

The documentary "Boorman and the Devil" offers a dishy look into the making of "Exorcist II: The Heretic," a film widely considered one of cinema's worst sequels. Despite its notoriety, director John Boorman, now 93 and filmed in his County Wicklow, Ireland home, still expresses a shining belief in the project, suggesting audience misunderstanding rather than inherent flaws.

The ambitious sequel, released in the summer of 1977, was a far cry from its terrifying predecessor. Boorman, who had declined to direct the original "The Exorcist" due to its subject matter, envisioned the sequel as a metaphysical exploration. This led to a film that critics found lifeless and preposterous, incorporating unique elements like synchronized hypnosis and a depiction of the devil through locusts.

"Exorcist II: The Heretic" was plagued by numerous setbacks. Boorman contracted valley fever, halting production for five weeks and significantly increasing the budget to $15 million, making it Warner Bros.' most expensive film at the time. Script rewrites and a generally lackluster reception, even during early previews where audiences audibly laughed, sealed its fate.

Despite its failure, "Boorman and the Devil" positions "Exorcist II" as a work of artistic daring, a perspective echoed by some critics who see a "loopy grandeur" in Boorman's ambition. However, the reviewer contends this is a fantasy, rooted in a postmodern approach to film that reframes even notable disasters. Boorman himself acknowledges that successful movies require luck, but the documentary suggests that true success also needs artists grounded in reality.