The True Story of the First Test Screening of THE EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC

The Exorcist II: The Heretic (review) is widely considered by horror fans to be on of the worst sequels of all time, and, well, they aren't too far off from that. William Friedkin, director of the original, hasn't even seen it (aside from the first few minutes) but he was invited to a preview screening in Pasadena of the film. He declined, however he has a pretty funny story about the audiences hilariously violent reaction to the film told to him by a studio exec who happened to be at the theater. Check it out below!

I found this funny little story courtesy of bloody-disgusting.com.

 

In 1973 the most terrifying film of all time descended upon the masses. A movie so disgusting and vile that people had heart attacks, fainted, passed out and vomited in the theater while watching. That film was The Exorcist, starring the sweet young Linda Blaire as Regan, a girl who is possessed by the demon Pazuzu after playing with a Ouija board. The Catholic Church commended it, saying that it's accurate portrayal of demonic possession could be used as a weapon in God's arsenal in the fight against evil. Now, The Exorcist is one of the most iconic horror films of all time and continues to terrify people the world over. 

In 1977, a sequel was commissioned to be directed by John Boorman, and written by William Goodhart. The sequel, however, was doomed from the start due to constant rewrites, the blatant rejection to return by William Friedkin and William Peter Blatty, as well as some cast members from the first film. Read on to see my thoughts on the sequel to scariest film of all time, The Exorcist II: The Heretic.