Many horror movie fans argue that the horror movies of the 1970s and 1980s were much more powerful than their more recent counterparts. It’s true that there are smart and lame horror movies from all generations, but The Exorcist holds the position of being one of the scariest and most influential horror movies of all time. Several of the most frightening horror movie moments in the history of cinema actually take place during this movie, which tells the tale of a little girl who is possessed by a demon.
By today’s standards, The Exorcist may no longer seem as scary as it once was. But there’s no denying that this is a horror classic. Read on to find out a few things that many fans don’t know about The Exorcist.
15 The Cast And Crew Believed The Set Was Cursed
One of the most terrifying behind the scenes secrets from this horror movie is that the Exorcist set was cursed. At least, the cast and crew believed it was. This was because a few creepy things took place on set, including a studio fire and the deaths of nine people associated with making the film.
14 Ellen Burstyn Was Permanently Injured During Filming
In the scene where Reagan slaps her mother before trying to scare her with the moving furniture in her room, Ellen Burstyn is seen flying before landing on her back. One of the most interesting Exorcist movie facts is that Burstyn received a permanent spinal injury during the filming of this scene.
13 After The Film Was Released, Linda Blair Received Death Threats From Religious Fanatics
One of the strange things that you might not know about the filming of The Exorcist is that after the film was released, Linda Blair received death threats from religious fanatics. The fanatics felt that Blair and the film glorified Satan. Blair had to have bodyguards protecting her for six months after the film’s release.
12 Director William Friedkin Shot Guns On Set So The Actors Would Be Genuinely Startled
For the audience, The Exorcist has plenty of startling moments that make you jump. But for the cast, the experience was a little less frightening. Director William Friedkin was known to fire guns without warning on set so he could startle the actors and improve their reactions of horror during filming.
11 It Was Based On A True Story
Perhaps the scariest Exorcist fact of all is that it was based on a true story. In 1949, the real exorcism of a boy known as Roland Doe became international news and inspired the writing of the script. The boy’s real name was never released, but it has been confirmed that his exorcisms were performed in Cottage City, Maryland.
10 Linda Blair’s Mother Got Her The Role
At the time that she starred as Regan, Linda Blair had an acting agent, but it wasn’t her acting agent who got her the coveted and notorious role. It was her mother who brought her to the attention of the director and casting department, who eventually decided to hire her.
9 Max Von Sydow Was So Shocked By Linda Blair’s Dialogue That He Forgot His Lines During The Filming Of The Exorcism
During the filming of the exorcism scene between Father Merrin and Regan, Max von Sydow was so startled by Linda Blair’s disturbing lines that he genuinely suffered from shock and forgot his lines. In the 1970s, the language that Regan uses was not common in film and television like it is now.
8 Regan’s Room Was Kept Refrigerated
Audiences can see the actors breathing whenever they’re in Regan’s bedroom, but this isn’t a digital effect. Her bedroom was actually refrigerated to sub-zero temperatures with four giant air conditioners. This even created snow on-set before the crew arrived for filming and the sweat of the cast and crew members froze on their skin
7 To Play Father Merrin, Max Von Sydow Wore Enough Makeup To Age Him 30 Years
The late Max von Sydow went on to have a long and successful career after The Exorcist, most recently appearing in Game of Thrones as the Three-Eyed Raven. In order to play Father Merrin in the 1970s, he had to be aged 30 years with makeup, which took up to three hours every single day.
6 Linda Blair Didn’t Understand The Significance Of The Crucifix Scene At The Time She Performed It
One of the most disturbing scenes to appear in the film is arguably the crucifix scene when the demon inside Regan begins to have full control over her body. The scene left many audience members very distressed but Linda Blair didn’t understand the gravity of the vulgar scene when she performed it.
5 During Filming, The MacNeil House Burned Down
Several eerie incidents took place on set during the filming of The Exorcist. The set for the interior of the MacNeil house caught fire after a pigeon flew into a circuit box, which resulted in delays for the shoot. The only room on the set that wasn’t destroyed by the flames was Regan’s room.
4 Radio Star Mercedes McCambridge Voiced The Demon That Possesses Regan
Linda Blair performed many of her own stunts as the possessed Regan but the voice of the demon that comes from within her was actually performed by Mercedes McCambridge, a beloved radio star. Originally, McCambridge was not credited for providing the voice of the demon. But after the threat of legal action, her name was added to the credits.
3 Father Dyer Was Played By A Real Priest
Although most of the clergymen in the film were actors, one priest was a real priest. Father Dyer was portrayed by Reverend William J. O’Malley, who also served as one of the film’s technical advisors. He never played any other acting roles but he did write more than 36 books and taught Theology and AP English at McQuaid Jesuit High School.
2 Jason Miller Did Not Know Regan’s Vomit Was Going To Hit Him In The Face
The infamous vomit scene has become one of the most iconic scenes in the history of cinema. Jason Miller, who played Damien Karras, was genuinely surprised when the green concoction of pea soup and oatmeal hit him in the face. He was expecting it to only hit him in the chest, so his disgusted reaction is genuine.
1 The Demon Sounds Regan Makes Were Made By Remixing Pig Squeals
The demon sounds made by the possessed Regan haunted thousands of people who went to see the film in the 1970s, as well as those in subsequent generations. These sounds were actually created by remixing the sound of pig squeals. The scene showing the demon being exorcised from her body featured the sound of pigs being led to slaughter.