2. About the exorcist
• Directed by William Friedkin
• The initial release date was March 16, 1974
• The main character was played by Ellen Burstyn
3. The plot
• A visiting actress in Washington, D.C., notices dramatic and dangerous
changes in the behaviour and physical make-up of her 12-year-old
daughter. Meanwhile, a young priest at nearby Georgetown
University begins to doubt his faith while dealing with his mother's
terminal sickness. And, book-ending the story, a frail, elderly priest
recognizes the necessity for a show-down with an old demonic enemy
4. Why did the film get banned?
• The Exorcist was released in 1974 and was available on video, until the video
recordings act in 1985 said every film had to have a certificate, The Exorcist was
withdrawn and was never submitted to the BBFC until James Ferman retired in
1999 and his successor Robin Duval took over and passed The Exorcist uncut.
• However, the film was a huge popular success at the box office and the public as
a whole did not seem overly concerned. Despite this, a handful of local
authorities bowed to the demands of pressure groups and banned the film in
their areas, which only added to the reputation of the film.
