A question about the Exorcist

[nateslate8]

I just got through watching the exorcist for the first time and I was wondering something:

They showed the priest/archeologist at the beginning retrieving an artifact that seemed to scare the heck out of him. Later on, we see the inspector pick up a similiar amulet among the leaves at the bottom of the steps where the director died. Now here are some questions:

Is this the same amulet the priest had? It looks the same.

If so, how did it get outside the home?

Why did the inspector think it necessary to pick it up but not question anyone about it?

If it isn't, where did it come from?

They seemed to have went nowhere with the amulet thing except maybe to drop a hint as to how the demon latched on to the girl.

Is this explained in any of the other movies? The prequel movies for example?

[Jared]

I just got through watching the exorcist for the first time and I was wondering something:

They showed the priest/archeologist at the beginning retrieving an artifact that seemed to scare the heck out of him. Later on, we see the inspector pick up a similiar amulet among the leaves at the bottom of the steps where the director died. Now here are some questions:

Is this the same amulet the priest had? It looks the same.

If so, how did it get outside the home?

Why did the inspector think it necessary to pick it up but not question anyone about it?

If it isn't, where did it come from?

They seemed to have went nowhere with the amulet thing except maybe to drop a hint as to how the demon latched on to the girl.

Is this explained in any of the other movies? The prequel movies for example?

I thought that the Wiji board was how Reagan got possessed. I'm not sure what was up with the artifact, really. Exorcist: The Beginning has Father Merrin first encouting the Devil in on a Middle East archeolological dig, and I think the big devil from the original movie is there. IIRC, it's built part of temple on the spot where Lucifer fell to Earth. Not a good movie, BTW.

[DDM]

The Exorcist beginning is the prologue for the film. When digging for the ancient objects in the Middle East, they unknowingly release the evil demon. Notice that the clock stops. And the priest is ill afterwards. These are all signs that a demonic evil has been released.

This evil eventually finds possession of Regan via the Ouija Board. Regan's friend, Captain Howdie is also the same demon who would come to possess her.

You also need to re-watch the film since the real story is about the priest--not Regan or the demon.

[Indigo Al]

My guess on that is that Regan made the pazuzu figurine as she was becoming further entrapped and influenced by the demon, and somehow it either fell out of her window along with Burke Dennings, or she/Pazuzu left it there to further draw Father Merrin in. If you recall, Regan made a lot of clay figurines and weird drawings leading up to her full possession.

My other big question has always been the Church desecration. I always wondered how that happened, until someone on another message board said that in Blatty's novel, it was implied that Regan somehow did it (I've always been too chickenshit to read the novel!). I once even heard a theory that Father Karras did it!

(I would forget about the prequels, btw, as a means to tie the story together or look for some sort of 'mythology'. Dominion is a good film that stands on its own. Exorcist the Beginning is pathetic and even comedic, especially at the end)

[nateslate8]

The Exorcist beginning is the prologue for the film. When digging for the ancient objects in the Middle East, they unknowingly release the evil demon. Notice that the clock stops. And the priest is ill afterwards. These are all signs that a demonic evil has been released.

This evil eventually finds possession of Regan via the Ouija Board. Regan's friend, Captain Howdie is also the same demon who would come to possess her.

You also need to re-watch the film since the real story is about the priest--not Regan or the demon.

Yeah, I guess Howdie possessed her through the Ouija Board, but what about the amulet found outside the home? Why did they show the inspector picking it up, as if it were a clue or something, but then go nowhere with it?

Also, I never said the real story wasn't about the priest. In fact, it's pretty easy to pick up on it since he has much more screen time than Regan or the demon.

[nateslate8]

My other big question has always been the Church desecration. I always wondered how that happened, until someone on another message board said that in Blatty's novel, it was implied that Regan somehow did it (I've always been too chickenshit to read the novel!). I once even heard a theory that Father Karras did it!


Interesting. Yeah, that was another thing that seemed out of place. It really didn't serve much of a purpose, other than the inspector mentioning it as corroborating evidence that the director's death and the desecration of the church were done by the same person.

What do you think was the inspector's role in the movie? He didn't solve anything and when he showed up at the house, he was too late to do anything. What was his purpose?

[Indigo Al]

What do you think was the inspector's role in the movie? He didn't solve anything and when he showed up at the house, he was too late to do anything. What was his purpose?

Well, the inspector actually is a main character in William Peter Blatty's pseudo-sequel, Legion. He was really there to sort of serve as a mouthpiece and to comment about film in general.

I just love the way the Exorcist was not afraid to take these meandering paths

[nateslate8]

Well, the inspector actually is a main character in William Peter Blatty's pseudo-sequel, Legion. He was really there to sort of serve as a mouthpiece and to comment about film in general.

I just love the way the Exorcist was not afraid to take these meandering paths

True. And he did serve the purpose of asking the kind of questions that the audience was thinking and to connect some of the dots- especially the murder of the director.

He's a likeable character. Every time he came on screen, it was as if a weight was lifted for a while- to help you catch your breath until the next horrific scene.



Oh and did anyone find it odd that the mother didn't seem to mind Regan playing with the Ouija Board? Even back then it was certainly taboo. Actually, now that I think about it, Ouija Boards have got to be the most socially acceptable form of "witchcraft" ever. I remember them being sold at Pic N Save's when I was a kid.

[Indigo Al]

Oh and did anyone find it odd that the mother didn't seem to mind Regan playing with the Ouija Board? Even back then it was certainly taboo. Actually, now that I think about it, Ouija Boards have got to be the most socially acceptable form of "witchcraft" ever. I remember them being sold at Pic N Save's when I was a kid.

Well, the thing is, Chris MacNeil wasn't religious. She had no faith, and even after Regan's ordeal, it's not clear that she gained faith. Thus to her, a ouija would be nothing more than a silly parlor game.

Besides, I don't think the weird religious-moral panic against ouija, tarot, and the more popular occult took full swing until the later 70s and 80s (and the Exorcist certainly fueled a lot of it)

[nateslate8]

Yeah I guess you're right about MacNeil. And you're also right in observing The Exorcist's influence on the culture. It's STILL taboo among some of my Christian friends to bring up watching the film. As if watching it will somehow increase demonic activity or something.

[Super Hero Guy]

One thing I didn't get - the doctors all said Reagan was just suffering a psychological problem, yet towards the end she has clearly PHYSICALLY transformed into a little demonic child. Why did none of the doctor's mention this?

[nateslate8]

I don't think they actually saw her transform. I believe the last time they laid eyes on her, she still looked her normal self. And besides, they all but said that they didn't have a clue what was wrong with her and that it may be spiritual in nature. They actually TOLD the mother to seek out an exorcist!

That's another thing I liked about this movie. It didn't just give you the creeps, it philosophized and provided commentary on the present day culture.

[Indigo Al]

Apart from the explicitly supernatural scenes that only certain characters were witness to (the priests and Chris), there was nothing about Regan's appearance that science couldn't provide an explanation for.

Which was what the demon wanted - to confuse and isolate everyone.

[mlcm]

One thing I didn't get - the doctors all said Reagan was just suffering a psychological problem, yet towards the end she has clearly PHYSICALLY transformed into a little demonic child. Why did none of the doctor's mention this?

As others have mentioned, they didn't really see a lot of the dramatic physical transformations, closer to the exorcism. The timespan is of the story is months, not days. Regan's transformation is gradual. The fact that she was bedridden and fed via tube could have been explanations for some of the physical changes.

It's not really explicitly stated that the Ouija board was the method by which she was possessed. It would be speculation.

The demon, possibly Pazuzu, wasn't released by the archaeologists, as the demon had been free to roam since before Merrin's time. Pazuzu's reasons for choosing Regan aren't really clear - one would guess because of emotional fragility and ease of manipulation. But who knows?

Yes, the religious desecration was an act of Regan. It's more explicitly stated in the book, but Regan is able to climb out of her window and wreak havoc.

If we want to split hairs, yes, the story is about Father Karras' crisis of faith rather than Regan's possession, or Chris' emotional breakdown. It's all about Karras' wavering faith in the light of modern psychology (seventies era psychology, I mean) and deep-rooted Catholic guilt and scientific reasoning (not just about possession) and his mother's death, and how they are all in conflict within himself. Hence why the story is called The Exorcist.

The inspector is a Mary Sue character, an author surrogate, albeit likable.

[SoulOnIce]

Another question I always wanted to ask about this movie is why does the demon react to the fake Holy Water that is thrown on Regan as if it is real Holy Water?

[Jared]

The demon, possibly Pazuzu, wasn't released by the archaeologists, as the demon had been free to roam since before Merrin's time. Pazuzu's reasons for choosing Regan aren't really clear - one would guess because of emotional fragility and ease of manipulation. But who knows?



Isn't it only "Pazuzu" in the the god-awful sequel? Damien even says as much; "your daughter doesn't just claim to be a demon, she claims to be the Devil."
Exorcist II also featured a ridicululous Dream Machine being used by the psychiatrist, as I recall.

[DDM]

Isn't it only "Pazuzu" in the the god-awful sequel? Damien even says as much; "your daughter doesn't just claim to be a demon, she claims to be the Devil."
Exorcist II also featured a ridicululous Dream Machine being used by the psychiatrist, as I recall.

The demon is named Pazuzu in the book, but not in the original movie.

[mlcm]

Another question I always wanted to ask about this movie is why does the demon react to the fake Holy Water that is thrown on Regan as if it is real Holy Water?

The demon is just trying to get a reaction from people. It's all mind games with the demon - the demon mixes the lies with the truth. Karras is looking for something specific from the demon. If it's legit, than it should be able to discern the difference between tap water and Holy Water. If it's Regan with mental problems, it would assume it's Holy and give a theatrical response. So the demon's reaction to the regular old tap water confirms Karras' belief in rational thinking and weakens his faith further. He believes more and more that the demon is just Regan with mental problems.

Holy Water is a placebo. Holy Water and regular tap water are chemically identical. The only thing that separates them is the words of a man of the cloth. Without seeing the actual blessing of the water, one would never be able to determine, either by science, senses or otherwise, that it's Holy. Whether or not Karras blessed the water is besides the point. What is important is that the bullshit water, simply Holy because some guy with a funny collar said some words over, creates a reaction.

If the demon gave a real reaction to the fake water, than that could mean the power of the priest's word is not just the power of a blessing. A priest's word that the Holy Water is Holy is powerful enough to make the tap water Holy.

If the demon is faking it, then it's to further weaken the faith of Father Karras.

Not a definitive answer, but there isn't one in the text.

[mlcm]

The demon is named Pazuzu in the book, but not in the original movie.

Yeah... but the statue of Pazuzu at the beginning is clearly shown to be Pazuzu, demon of Assyrian mythology, but the word Pazuzu is never uttered. So you're right, Pazuzu is never named, but it is the name of the demon from the film (or least implied to be the name of the demon), as Pazuzu (and the statue) are not creations of Blatty's mind.

[Indigo Al]

Yeah... but the statue of Pazuzu at the beginning is clearly shown to be Pazuzu, demon of Assyrian mythology, but the word Pazuzu is never uttered. So you're right, Pazuzu is never named, but it is the name of the demon from the film (or least implied to be the name of the demon), as Pazuzu (and the statue) are not creations of Blatty's mind.

Yep. The statue was of Pazuzu, and I believe Pazuzu was named in the novel as well (though I don't know if it was explicitly stated that Pazuzu was the possessing entity). My feeling is that William Peter Blatty wasn't so hung up on specific demonologies. Satan, Pazuzu, what have you...it's all the same Evil.

It's not really explicitly stated that the Ouija board was the method by which she was possessed. It would be speculation.

The demon, possibly Pazuzu, wasn't released by the archaeologists, as the demon had been free to roam since before Merrin's time. Pazuzu's reasons for choosing Regan aren't really clear - one would guess because of emotional fragility and ease of manipulation. But who knows?

I think we can assume the Ouija to be the mechanism. It's not like the demon can just jump around into folks as it pleases (like Fallen). It needs some sort of consent and acceptance to possess, and the Ouija does exactly that.

And Regan was merely a trap for Father Merrin. That's why she was possessed. Whether that "trap" was set by the demon or by God is under speculation....

And - EXORCIST II THE HERETIC is AWESOME!!!! (An awesome comedy, among other things...)

[nateslate8]

My guess on that is that Regan made the pazuzu figurine as she was becoming further entrapped and influenced by the demon, and somehow it either fell out of her window along with Burke Dennings, or she/Pazuzu left it there to further draw Father Merrin in. If you recall, Regan made a lot of clay figurines and weird drawings leading up to her full possession.


This seems like the most plausible explanation for the abrupt and rather brief encounter witht he pazuzu figurine, although it is totally by inference and never stated in the movie.

Does the book give a better explanation as to why that figurine was even there?

Also, why show the archeology dig at the beginning of the movie if that is not where the demon came from? Even if it is where the demon came from, why show it? Was it in the movie to basically say that it was this priest (don't remember his name) that uncovered this cursed amulet and let the demon loose- only to have to deal with it later on?

Anyone have any theories/answers to my above two questions?

[Indigo Al]

Also, why show the archeology dig at the beginning of the movie if that is not where the demon came from? Even if it is where the demon came from, why show it? Was it in the movie to basically say that it was this priest (don't remember his name) that uncovered this cursed amulet and let the demon loose- only to have to deal with it later on?

Anyone have any theories/answers to my above two questions?

You know, "why Pazuzu" is a good question, and I wonder why Blatty was interested in that deity to represent the devil. I might have to pick up the novel. And then, not sleep for a couple nights....!

Pazuzu was considered an "evil spirit", but he was also invoked to ward off other evil spirits (this is an idea that was referenced in Heretic).

I don't know whether the opening scene in Iraq is literally Pazuzu becoming unleashed, but it even if it wasn't, it does make for an extremely chilling and memorable prelude. Plus, how could you ever get that kind of footage in Iraq ever again?

[nateslate8]

I don't know whether the opening scene in Iraq is literally Pazuzu becoming unleashed, but it even if it wasn't, it does make for an extremely chilling and memorable prelude. Plus, how could you ever get that kind of footage in Iraq ever again?

That's what I thought- "Dude, Iraq!" Maybe Pazuzu is hiding all the weapons of mass destruction.

[Indigo Al]

This seems like the most plausible explanation for the abrupt and rather brief encounter witht he pazuzu figurine, although it is totally by inference and never stated in the movie.

Does the book give a better explanation as to why that figurine was even there?


Resurfacing this thread to report that I just read the novel, and the figurine doesn't appear at the bottom of the stairs.

What does get more focus is the church desecration, Lt. Kinderman's investigations, and a subplot involving Chris McNeil's servant, Karl.