THE EXORCIST from WARNER BROS. (1973). According to the filmmakers. This horror movie was turned down by all of the Hollywood studios. Warner Bros. also wanted a major movie star, but ended up with unknown actors. Director William Friedkin was not even on the list to helm the movie. That is until his, "The French Connection" premiered in 1971.
The horror movie opened on Dec. 26, 1973 in 24 U.S. theaters. It grabbed $1.9 million in just those theaters after one week (1973 ticket prices). In the cold of winter. Theater lines stretched around the block and patrons waited for hours to see the movie. It scared audiences so much that men and women were fainting in theater aisles. Plus, many vomited from the horror scenes. (Check out YouTube for impact of film on audiences).
Warner Bros. executives didn't believe in the film. They decided not to preview it nor show it to critics. Distribution had to quickly add 366 theaters after the first week. The movie ran for 105 weeks and nabbed $193 million worldwide. The cultural impact was cemented by the practice of "Exorcism" by the Catholic Church. Even the current Pope John thought the horror movie was accurate. (Demons do take over the bodies of human beings).
The Director's Cut with the 2000 re-release grabbed another $184 million worldwide. William Freidkin loves the DVD and BluRay releases. The reason is because he hears sounds he had never heard before even when he cut the movie in 1973. He wanted realism and the documentary style brought the film to actual people in actual life.
The movie went on-to receive 10 Oscar nominations including Best Picture. It won two for Best Adapted Screenplay (William Blatty) and Best Sound (Robert Knudson and Chris Newman). It became one the best horror films ever made. It has never been replicated even after a dozen "Exorcist" themed films.
What a tribute to William Freidkin who recently passed at age 87.
No comments:
Post a Comment