The Exorcist was banned in several locations upon its release due to its controversial subject matter, intense depictions of demonic possession, and graphic scenes that disturbed many viewers1. While the film was never officially banned nationwide in the United States or the United Kingdom, certain cities and regions took measures to restrict or prohibit its screening due to public outcry and concerns about its potential impact, particularly on younger audiences. This response stemmed from a variety of factors, including religious objections, anxieties about the film’s graphic content, and a general unease with the themes of evil and the occult2. The Exorcist was more than just a horror movie; it tapped into deep-seated cultural anxieties and challenged societal norms. Released in a time of social upheaval and shifting moral boundaries, the film’s exploration of faith, doubt, and the nature of evil resonated with audiences while simultaneously provoking fear and outrage. This combination of fascination and revulsion led to its notoriety and contributed to the bans it faced in various locations3.
Religious Outrage and Censorship
One of the primary reasons for the bans was the film’s religious subject matter and its graphic portrayal of demonic possession. The Catholic Church, in particular, had a mixed response to the film. While some Cardinals in Boston wanted it banned, others saw it as an affirmation of faith and the power of good over evil1. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office of Film and Broadcasting deemed the film “unsuitable for a wide audience,” but acknowledged that it could be seen as a “positive response to the power of faith.” 4 Interestingly, the Catholic Church was involved in the making of the movie. Father Henle, the president of Georgetown, provided director William Friedkin with information about a real exorcism case from 19494. Friedkin himself stated, “Most of the people at the highest levels of the church accepted it totally because the Roman Ritual of Exorcism is still in the New Testament.” 4 This complex relationship between the Church and the film further fueled the controversy surrounding it.
Public Reaction and Hysteria
The Power of Suggestion
The film’s impact was amplified by the power of suggestion and the media’s sensationalized coverage of audience reactions5. Warner Bros., the studio behind The Exorcist, actively encouraged the perception of religious outrage and public hysteria as a marketing tactic to boost the film’s appeal46. Internal memos from the studio even remarked that “the best thing that could happen would be a public condemnation from the Pope.” 4 This strategy proved incredibly effective, as stories of people fainting or becoming ill during screenings created a sense of anticipation and fear, drawing larger crowds and further fueling the controversy7. This phenomenon highlights the influence of social and cultural factors on individual perception and the power of collective anxieties to shape public response.
The Exorcist elicited strong reactions from the public, with reports of fainting, vomiting, and even heart attacks among viewers2. These reactions were fueled by the film’s intense scenes, such as Regan’s head spinning, projectile vomiting, and violent convulsions8. The film’s graphic imagery and disturbing sound effects, combined with the cultural anxieties of the time, created a sense of unease and fear that contributed to its controversial reception7.
The Exorcist Curse
Adding to the film’s mystique and the perception of a haunting surrounding it, a fire broke out on the set of the MacNeil home during production9. The fire, which reportedly spared only Regan’s bedroom, delayed filming for six weeks9. This incident, along with other on-set accidents and the deaths of several people associated with the film, fueled rumors of a curse and further contributed to the public’s fascination with The Exorcist.
Disturbing Scenes and Medical Accuracy
The Exorcist’s graphic scenes, particularly those depicting Regan’s medical procedures, were a significant source of controversy. Director William Friedkin meticulously researched these scenes to ensure their medical accuracy, which included Regan undergoing an angiography and other invasive procedures4. This realism, while intended to enhance the film’s authenticity, proved too disturbing for some viewers, contributing to the calls for censorship and bans1.
The Crucifix Scene
One of the most controversial scenes in The Exorcist involves Regan masturbating with a crucifix. This scene, while toned down from the original novel, was still considered highly offensive and blasphemous by many viewers10. The scene’s graphic nature and its violation of religious symbols contributed to the film’s notoriety and the efforts to ban it.
Shocking Dialogue
Beyond the visual imagery, The Exorcist also features dialogue that shocked and disturbed audiences. Regan, possessed by the demon Pazuzu, spews blasphemous language and insults those around her. One particularly memorable line is when she tells Father Karras, “Your mother sucks cocks in hell, Karras, you faithless slime.” This raw and offensive language, combined with the film’s visual horrors, pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in mainstream cinema.
Cultural Context and the Horror Genre
The Exorcist emerged during a time of significant cultural change and social upheaval in the 1970s. The Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal, and the sexual revolution were all contributing to a sense of uncertainty and anxiety in American society11. The film’s exploration of faith, doubt, and the nature of evil resonated with these anxieties, while its graphic imagery and disturbing scenes challenged the boundaries of the horror genre12.
The Hays Code and the Evolution of Horror
The Exorcist was released just a few years after the abolishment of the Hays Code, which had heavily regulated movie content in the United States for decades6. This newfound freedom allowed filmmakers to explore more controversial themes and depict violence and sexuality more explicitly. The Exorcist pushed these boundaries further than many films before it, contributing to its shocking impact and the backlash it received.
Doubt, Ambiguity, and Societal Fears
The Exorcist is more than just a simple story of good versus evil. It delves into complex themes of doubt and ambiguity, particularly through the character of Father Karras, a priest struggling with his faith13. This exploration of religious uncertainty resonated with a society grappling with changing social norms and a decline in traditional authority3. The film also reflects anxieties about changing gender roles, particularly through the portrayal of Regan’s possession as a manifestation of female sexuality and the fear of losing control1112.
Influence on the Evangelical Community
Interestingly, The Exorcist had a significant influence on the evangelical community’s understanding of evil and demonic possession3. The film’s graphic depiction of possession reinforced existing beliefs about spiritual warfare and the reality of demonic forces. This impact highlights the film’s ability to tap into pre-existing cultural anxieties and shape religious discourse.
Connection to René Magritte’s “The Empire of Light”
Adding another layer to the film’s cultural context, a scene in The Exorcist where Father Karras arrives at the MacNeil house was inspired by René Magritte’s painting “The Empire of Light.” 13 The painting, which depicts a daytime sky above a nocturnal street scene, creates a sense of unease and disorientation, mirroring the film’s exploration of the clash between the ordinary and the supernatural.
Other Banned Horror Films
The Exorcist was not alone in facing bans and censorship. Several other horror films have sparked controversy and faced restrictions due to their graphic content, disturbing themes, or challenges to societal norms. Some notable examples include:
- A Clockwork Orange (1971): Stanley Kubrick’s dystopian film was banned in several countries for its graphic violence and sexual content14.
- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974): Tobe Hooper’s slasher film was banned in numerous countries for its intense violence and disturbing imagery14.
- Cannibal Holocaust (1980): Ruggero Deodato’s found-footage horror film was banned in many countries for its extreme violence and graphic depictions of cannibalism15.
These films, like The Exorcist, pushed the boundaries of the horror genre and challenged societal norms, leading to controversy and censorship.
The Impact of Bans and the Film’s Legacy
Despite the bans and controversies, The Exorcist became a massive box office success and a cultural phenomenon1. The attempts to censor or restrict the film arguably had the opposite effect, generating more publicity and increasing its notoriety6. The film’s enduring legacy is a testament to its power as a horror film and its ability to tap into deep-seated cultural anxieties12.
The Exorcist and the BBFC
In the United Kingdom, The Exorcist faced a unique challenge with the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). While initially released with an X certificate, the film was later withdrawn from home video circulation due to concerns about its availability to young viewers16. This decision was influenced by the Video Recordings Act of 1984, which aimed to regulate the home video market. The BBFC was particularly concerned about the protagonist’s age (12 years old) and the potential for emotional harm, especially among those who believed in demonic possession16. This ban lasted for 11 years before being lifted in 1998, reflecting a shift in cultural attitudes and a recognition of the film’s artistic merit.
| Location | Type of Ban | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Parts of the UK | Ban on home video sales | 11 years (1988-1998) |
| Certain US cities | Attempted bans on theatrical screenings | Varied |
Conclusion
The Exorcist’s bans were a complex response to a film that challenged societal norms and explored disturbing themes. Religious objections, concerns about graphic content, and the film’s unsettling impact on viewers all contributed to the efforts to restrict its screening. However, these bans ultimately failed to suppress the film’s popularity, and The Exorcist remains a landmark horror film that continues to fascinate and terrify audiences today. Its legacy is a reminder of the power of film to provoke debate, challenge beliefs, and tap into the deepest fears and anxieties of society.
The film’s enduring power stems from its ability to tap into primal fears about the unknown and the loss of control. The theme of demonic possession, with its violation of the body and mind, continues to resonate with audiences because it speaks to anxieties about vulnerability and the fragility of the self3. The Exorcist masterfully combines this timeless theme with shocking visuals, disturbing dialogue, and a thought-provoking exploration of faith and doubt, solidifying its place as a horror classic.
Works cited
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