Exorcist: The Beginning - Commentary

I've mentioned in a previous post that I am a huge fan of The Exorcist. However, this regard I have for the hallmark horror film featuring possession doesn't stem to the many sequels and spin-offs, but it does stretch to the prequel.

For the record, this film had a very difficult birth. The 'prequel' idea was thrown around the studio and there are in fact two versions of the film - one directed by Renny Harlin (the film I am commenting on) and another, more thoughtful piece directed by Paul Schrader. Harlin's film came afterwards and was supported by the studio much more, with a wide variety of reasons being cited for this director-switch - including that Schrader's original cut didn't have enough shocks in it.

It's beyond the scope of my commentary to discuss both (primarily as I've only seen the Schrader film Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist once during a very late night session), so I'm going to focus on Harlin's film.

I'm just going to say it, as it quite annoyed me at the time - this film is fantastically under-rated. Whilst it wasn't a big box office smash, this is a film that delivers on multiple levels, right from the very first sinister massacre sequence all the way through to the shock of possession - or rather the person possessed.

The story follows a much younger Father Merrin, who, in this prequel, meets his arch-nemesis from The Exorcist, Pazuzu. An archaeological dig takes place, revealing an incredibly old church, buried in the sands of the desert. After the church is opened, strange things begin to happen around the encampment, culminating in a war with a local African tribe and Merrin coming face to face with another possessed person.

Atmosphere is kept at a high point throughout the film, with Skarsgard putting in a terrific performance as the (at first) faithless priest, who has seen such horrors as to question his faith. Equally, Izabella Scorupco plays her part exceptionally well, as the tragic central character of the film.

Standout horror scenes for me were the moments of first entering the unholy church set up to contain the evil of Puzazu, the meeting with the insane asylum patient and the first moments of facing Puzazu in the church. Sinister just doesn't even begin to describe the atmosphere on offer here.

Ultimately, Exorcist: The Beginning doesn't quite live up to the promise, but given the 1973 original has such a following and reputation, then this is perhaps unsurprising. It's a quality production and goes some way to explaining the motivations of the older Merrin in the first film. A decent film and definitely worth a watch - just not on the same level as seeing Reagan spin her head around.