The 1973 classic The Exorcist (watch it HERE) is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary with a 4K release and a theatrical re-release… and fifty years after it first reached the screen, there are still new things to discover about it. In early October, filmmaker Paul Davis took to social media to share a snippet of actress Eileen Dietz’s Pazuzu makeup test, where she was shown wearing makeup designed by the legendary Dick Smith. Davis promised he would be releasing a commentary video including10 minutes of unseen outtakes and the full 2 minute makeup test video on Halloween – but when Halloween arrived, he delivered more than promised, revealing 35 minutes of rare outtake footage! You can check it out at the bottom of this article.
Based on a novel by William Peter Blatty (pick up a copy HERE), who also wrote the screenplay, The Exorcist was directed by William Friedkin and tells the following story: One of the most profitable horror movies ever made, this tale of an exorcism is based loosely on actual events. When young Regan starts acting odd — levitating, speaking in tongues — her worried mother seeks medical help, only to hit a dead end. A local priest, however, thinks the girl may be seized by the devil. The priest makes a request to perform an exorcism, and the church sends in an expert to help with the difficult job.
The film stars Linda Blair, Ellen Burstyn, Jason Miller, Max von Sydow, and Lee J. Cobb. Eileen Dietz appears in flashes as the face of the demon Pazuzu, and also doubled for Blair in certain moments. Blair and Burstyn just reprised their roles in the recently released sequel The Exorcist: Believer, which didn’t go over well. In his review of the film, JoBlo’s own Chris Bumbray said The Believer is abysmal and advised horror fans to watch the original film instead. You can see his rankings of every film in the franchise at THIS LINK.
Are you a fan of The Exorcist? Take a look at the outtake footage, then let us know what you thought of it by leaving a comment below.