The Exorcist caused a legit mental health crisis in the US when it came out in 1973

[Dusty Bake Activate]

Look at this video. Some of these people are traumatized. Around 4:50... Motherfukkers fainting, crying, vomiting, and needing therapy.

Lol@the theater usher keeping smelling salts to wake up people who fainted.

 

[MIKE SPLEAN]

Religion was a bigger deal back then so makes sense

 

[Vodun]

Fun fact- during the making of the Exorcist they experience truly so fukked up paranormal shyt. I think one person actually died

 

[Dusty Bake Activate]

Religion was a bigger deal back then so makes sense

And not only was it a masterpiece horror film—the GOAT horror film imo—it was the first of the super scary movies about demonic possession, and it showed Satan being powerful and mocking God, and God could not easily vanquished him.

I can imagine the average Christian seeing this in 1973 and being horrifed. Someone I know told me they watched it alone on VHS in the house as a kid back in the days and they were shook for months, sleeping in their mom’s bed every night.

 

[NkrumahWasRight Is Wrong]

My mom is still rattled about it and she saw it in theatres

 

[ℒℴѵℯJay ELECTUA]

Some or most were staged actor's.sorry to break it to you.
It was known for film studio's to pull marketing stunts.. Similar to william Castle.

 

[ℒℴѵℯJay ELECTUA]

Fun fact- during the making of the Exorcist they experience truly so fukked up paranormal shyt. I think one person actually died

Horse shyt.
But there was a death but caused by illness.

 

[Human Torch]

I remember this was one of two movies my parents wouldn’t let me watch as a kid. The other…American Pie


Could literally watch anything else. But it’s crazy cuz this movie wouldn’t move the needle today, with kids or adults.

 

[DaPresident]

I watched it alone in the dark first time I saw it...I was terrified lol...I was in college tho but still, that movie was eerie...I watched all of it tho...it was that demon face in the house and in the dream that was scariest to me...




Still haven’t been scared like that from a movie since, and I love the horror genre

 

[HipHopStan]

Fun fact- during the making of the Exorcist they experience truly so fukked up paranormal shyt. I think one person actually died

There was a fire that damaged and destroyed almost all of the sets with the lone exception of Regan's bedroom. It was unscathed. I've also heard stories such as an audience member having a miscarriage during a showing and Bill Graham condemning the film and saying that evil was in the cellulite of the film, I don't know what to believe and not to believe it when it comes to that.

I have funny story that I'll add to this thread. During the Halloween season a few years ago, I off handed mentioned to a customer that my favorite horror film was The Exorcist which she seemed taken a back by. She left, returned, and gave me a card that directed me to go to the Jehovah's Witness website. I never visited the website, but I do have that card somewhere around here.

I would've loved to have been around in the 70's when big events movies like The Godfather (1 & 2), The Exorcist, JAWS, Star Wars, etc. etc. all came out. My mom has a lot of ticket stubs from concerts and movies that she went to in that era and I still laugh that she saw Star Wars for $1.29. Sorry to get off topic, but that is just so amusing to me.

 

[Roid Jones]

I remember this was one of two movies my parents wouldn’t let me watch as a kid. The other…American Pie


Could literally watch anything else. But it’s crazy cuz this movie wouldn’t move the needle today, with kids or adults.

I saw the Exorcist for the first time 10 years ago after years of hype and I sat there like 'the fukk is this shyt' I get why it may have scared people in the 70s but it did not move me at all

 

[Dafunkdoc_Unlimited]

The 70's was fun, but got eclipsed by the 80's. Was too young to go see The Exorcist, but I was there for Jaws, Alien, Dawn of the Dead, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and a bunch of classic horror movies.​

 

[Amestafuu (Emeritus)]

religion used to have a strangle hold on the world....

the crucifix masturbation scene would take out most people

 

[Exlurkernegro]

Pussies

 

[DiMarzio86]

If im not mistaken this was during the Satanic Panic era which is a topic in itself . US back then was majorly christian and constantly told that they have to repent each sunday etc. so no surprise that a good movie with high budget had such an impact on society.