The Production of the film”The Exorcist”

As I have already highlighted “The Exorcist” is among the best horror films ever. The Exorcist was produced by William Peter Blatty and was directed by William Friedkin.

Places of the Exorcist Shooting

Shooting began on 14 August 1972, and lasted about fifteen months. It’s a very big shooting period for a movie. There were too many obstacles for the production team to overcame.

The Exorcist - Shooting in Iraq

The film sequence at the archaeological dig in Nineveh, was filmed in Iraq. United States of America had no diplomatic relations with Iraq, so it was impossible for US crew to enter and shoot in Iraq. Cause it this situation, the producer of the Exorcist - William Peter Blatty and the director William Friedkin had to take an all - British crew in Iraq to film the archaeological dig and prologue of this amazing film.

I need to mention that during the archaeological film sequence - Father Merrin discovers a small carving of a demon. The figure of this demon will appear later at the exorcism sequence.

Also, it’s very interesting to mention that the all - British crew was allowed to film in Iraq under a condition - to train Iraqi filmmakers in film techniques (among them was to create fake blood).

The Exorcist - Shooting in USA

The director of Exorcism William Friedkin had decided to add realism and he wanted the exorcism effects to br mechanical (according to James Marriott"The Exorcist" - Horror Films) - the only non - mechanical effect in the film is the shot of Regan projectile vomiting).

Interior Shoots of Exorcist

All interiors of the MacNeil house were shot at a built house in New York’sa Ceco Studios. Regan’n bedroom had false walls for fork - lifting the bed, false ceilings for piano - wire levitations and air - vented windows to give the cold atmosphere in which the actors ‘ breath is visible. As we know one of the most important sequences in exorcist film is the exorcism sequence - we need to highlight that during the shooting of the film, the entire room was enclosed and refrigerated, dropping the temperature well below freezing.               

            


to be continued ....

Elias Stoikos