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Did people exaggerate about The Exorcist movie?

211 replies

EbbyEbs · 09/09/2022 20:16

DH and I have just been talking about horror movies and we have both heard the same stories off our parents about how people were fainting in the cinema and how there were constant ambulances being called to the cinema etc

I saw someone saying this on a documentary about it too that there were “ambulances lined up outside the cinemas”

Surely not?

We’re not old enough to know for sure but these stories are exaggerated surely? It wasn’t even that scary! Most of the film is pretty boring if we’re being honest!

OP posts:
Mrsjayy · 09/09/2022 20:40

It was truly terrifying I saw it on pirate video far too young I can't even watch documentaries or parodies about it .<shudder>

Doyoumind · 09/09/2022 20:40

It was still banned when I first saw it. I thought it was scary then. If it's on nowadays I still need plenty of lights on when I go to bed.

mamabear715 · 09/09/2022 20:41

Actually, this post just reminded me - I worked in a department store back in the olden days, lol - the toy dept stocked OIUJA BOARDS.. I kid you not.. :-0

MingeofDeath · 09/09/2022 20:42

The Exorcist is one of the cinematic watershed films. Before it was released there had been nothing like it before. For those saying it wasnt scary, remember you are viewing it through a 40 plus years old lens so have been used to the gore. At the time it really was revolutionary cinema. Stills stands up imho.

Mrsjayy · 09/09/2022 20:42

"watched the making of it, so simple and basic but I am still totally freaked out by that film."

I've seen this I'm sure it was on Bbc2 even that was horrible. Linda Blair was young I think that's what freaks me out.

Dragonskin · 09/09/2022 20:43

It was same with the Blair Witch Project, imo a terrible tedious film, yet people were fainting etc. it's basically mass hysteria

And we are FAR more used to horror now thanks to increasing graphic films/tv and the internet

ellieboolou · 09/09/2022 20:43

I watched it as kid (probably around 10 years old, along with The Evil Dead and scared the shit out of me! Parents didn't know my older cousins had let me watch it.

The Entity was scary

Mrsjayy · 09/09/2022 20:44

mamabear715 · 09/09/2022 20:41

Actually, this post just reminded me - I worked in a department store back in the olden days, lol - the toy dept stocked OIUJA BOARDS.. I kid you not.. :-0

We used to play wit ouji boards as teenagers you could buy them in woolies!

Twawmyarse · 09/09/2022 20:44

I've never watched it as even stills from the film scared the crap out of me.

I was brought up in a catholic family and wouldn't watch it for the sacrilegious connotations - isn't there a scene where she's being erm...rude with a crucifix?

woodhill · 09/09/2022 20:45

Friday 13th was horrible as was Carrie

I've never seen the Exorcist

NoHomers · 09/09/2022 20:46

EbbyEbs · 09/09/2022 20:34

😂 good point. You’d be waiting 4 hours now at least

Show quote history

Legit modern day horror story.

IncompleteSenten · 09/09/2022 20:47

Compare it to the gore fest's we get today and yes it's tame.

But people hadn't been exposed to years of the saw and shit like that.

Same with porn. See a 70s film and you feel like you could watch it over a cup of tea with the vicar compared to the atrocities that are modern videos!

Eyesopenwideawake · 09/09/2022 20:48

I remember seeing A Nightmare on Elm Street at the cinema and being too scared to sleep!

catandcoffee · 09/09/2022 20:48

I was very under age when I saw it in the cinema. Yes people did walk out terrified.

I put a brave face on and persevered 😩

Until I went home to my bedroom, upstairs in the attic , with the trap door thing in the ceiling....I never slept a wink that night.

I've never been brave enough to watch it again. Remember it was a film of its own time.

woodhill · 09/09/2022 20:49

Eyesopenwideawake · 09/09/2022 20:48

I remember seeing A Nightmare on Elm Street at the cinema and being too scared to sleep!

Yes especially the TV bit

User148563 · 09/09/2022 20:50

There are often reports of hysteria with certain films in cinemas, caused by hype, people don't get it when watching at home

Mykittensmittens · 09/09/2022 20:50

I think it’s an ‘of its time’ thing.

I remember it well

I also remember the two other films that truly gave me the willies. 1. the entity (apparently based on a true story and 2. The shining.

dd is 14 and completely having a teen ‘horror’ phase. We watched original Amityville Horror with me and she laughed the way through it.

So, i looked up the terrifying ‘shining’. was very surprised to see it was certified a 15. Not the terrifying 18 I recalled.

she watched it with me and was very ‘meh’!! She loves the book though.

things move on. I think?

Anon778833 · 09/09/2022 20:52

I saw The Exorcist when it was re-released at the cinema and people were laughing. I mean, it wasn’t very realistic - ambulances?? Maybe people with such a faint heart shouldn’t go to see horror films.

saveforthat · 09/09/2022 20:53

I went to see it when I was 15 (I looked older) Yes people were screaming fainting etc. Religious people were demonstrating outside the cinema. We had read the book on a geography field trip (do those stilk happen). Anyway I was terrified and my friend was too scared to go home on the bus and had to stay at mine.

Blondie1209 · 09/09/2022 20:53

Goatsandsheep
Totally agree!
"Your mother sucks jellybabies in hell!" 🤣

I8toys · 09/09/2022 20:53

I was pissed when I first saw it, midnight showing in Birmingham. My fond memory is of everyone being drunk and someone threatening to beat the shit out of them if they didn't shut up so everyone was laughing.

Sometimeswinning · 09/09/2022 20:53

Delabruche · 09/09/2022 20:38

I found it and The Blair Witch Project terrifying. I'm obviously a big softie!

Both are very clever and we're still talking about them! Not everyone gets or appreciates both these films. Or when they came out. I'm not sure the op could name a better horror pre 2000!

Sometimeswinning · 09/09/2022 20:55

Ahhhhhh post! I meant post! I'm obviously an angry horror buff😁

PuppyMonkey · 09/09/2022 20:57

I watched it about ten years after it was released during freshers week at university. Everyone in the audience was slightly taking the piss I think, but I was cowering in my seat.

The music is utterly brilliant.

Slushycuppa · 09/09/2022 21:01

EbbyEbs · 09/09/2022 20:38

The Blair Witch Project is very boring.

Paranormal Activity is another bore-fest

See I thought paranormal activity was scary. But my DH was going through a sleep walking phase around the time we saw that. So I was a bit freaked out by the bits when she stood there for hours at night.

Does anyone remember that Ghostwatch programme in the 90s with Sarah Greene and Michael Parkinson. That scared the shit out of me when I saw it!!