The Exorcist, a 1973 horror film directed by William Friedkin, explores the demonic possession of a young girl and her mother's search for salvation through an exorcism. The film's opening scene incorporates suspenseful visuals, eerie diegetic music, and notable editing techniques that introduce key characters and themes of dread and tension. Religious symbolism is prominent, exemplified by the fleeting appearance of '666' and the transformation of the title's 'x' into an upside-down cross, heightening the film's chilling atmosphere.

1. The exorcist : opening scene
(1973)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r
zWfHsp5WgI
Daniella Benson 12A

2. Plot summary:
The exorcist is a 1973 American horror film
directed by William Friedkine, adapted
by William Peter Blattyv from his 1971 novel
of the same name. The book, inspired by the
1949 exorcism case of Roland Doe,deals with
the demonic possession of a 12-year-old girl
and her mother's desperate attempts to win
back her child through an exorcism conducted
by two priests.

3. Key conventions made in the film
Use of original visuals :
This convention
occurred at the
beginning of the
opening scene whereby
the Warner Brothers
logo was shown. This
established the
individuality of this film
and clearly showed
what media institution
it belonged to. This acts
as a sign of clarity to the
audience as to what
production company
made this horror.

4. In the first 18 seconds of the opening, the first name to be screened is William Friedkin’s
name. Straight away the audience is introduced to the director of the film – who serves
as a basis to the story.
Diegetic music
is played in the
background: which
consists of high toned
piano music which is
set at a increasing
pace. This builds
suspense as we get
through to the
characters and into the
film.

5. As the visual images move on, it edits and cuts into another scene of the film.
The camera movement is shooting upwards as if climbing up the stairscreating suspense as to what may be at the top. The high piano music is also
help create the mood as it gives of a tone of mystery and tension
23 seconds in the
audience can see
another credit
viewing the key
producer- William
Peter Blatty.

6. This part is very interesting as
the executive producer- Noel
Marshall- is introduced in 4
different editing shots. The
editors have made his name and
title appear and disappear like a
ghost. This really works well
with the theme of the movie as Could this be a teaser
for what may happen
it is a horror and things
in the film?
disappearing and reappearing
give of the signs that something
of that nature may occur.

7. Here we have an introduction of a
key actress in the film- Ellen Burstyn
and actual visual movement from
scenes in the movie.
This edit is not only covered by the
non diegetic sounds of the eerie
piano music, but also diegetic
sounds of her conversation between
the doctor .
This works as a really good
technique because the audience can
hear the worry and franticness in
her voice. We are not aware of the
cause of her agitation or her worry
as we aren't told much- which
causes us to draw ourselves into the
film with more concentration and
enthusiasm to find out what is the
meaning to their conversation.

8. Another key actor- Max Von
Sydow- is introduced whilst in
visual movement of what
happens during the film. We
can see that the colours
chosen for this scene have
been edited quite dark and
gloomy and his facial
expression that of terror or
fright - implying that
something in this scene isn’t
a pleasant one.
This eager's the audience to
want to watch and find out
more and to find out what
predicament he’s in.

9. These two edits also
introduce the two other
key actors; Jason Miller
and Linda Blair
Specific facial expressions
have been chosen from
these actors to be used in
the opening scene to set
the mood for there scene
and create tension.

10. 1). This title visual was very interesting and
tricky to screenshot and present. The title
“THE EXORCIST” comes up and slightly fades
into itself for a good two seconds.
2)But for exactly half a second the number
”666” flashes in the background. It was so
quick that I didn’t notice it the first view times
of watching the clip until I kept pausing to
view a particular frame. In religion, 666 is
often the number in reference to satan or his
“name”. The fact that it flashed up so quickly
gives the movie certain chills and quality's
which may be scary or terrifying to those in
the audience with spiritual imagination.
3) The edit then quickly moves on into the
3rd shot of visual movement- where the ‘X’ in
exorcist –turn’s around into an upside down
cross. This all tests religious beliefs- making
the film all the much more exciting and scary
at the same time .