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The Exorcist Legacy: 50 Years of Fear
Since 1973, The Exorcist and its progeny have scared and inspired half a century of filmgoers. Now, on the 50th anniversary of the original movie release, this is the definitive, fascinating story of the scariest movie ever madeand its lasting impact as one of the most shocking, influential, and successful adventures in the history of film. Written by Nat Segaloff, an original publicist for the movie and the acclaimed biographer of its director, with a foreword from John Russo, author and cowriter of the seminal horror film Night of the Living Dead.
On December 26, 1973, The Exorcist was released. Within days it had become legend. Moviegoers braved hours-long lines in winter weather to see it. Some audience members famously fainted or vomited. Half a century later, the movie that both inspired and transcends the modern horror genre has lost none of its power to terrify and unsettle.
The Exorcist Legacy reveals the complete story of this cultural phenomenon, from the real-life exorcism in 1949 Maryland that inspired William Peter Blatty’s bestselling novel on which the movie is based, to its many sequels, prequels, TV series, and homages. Nat Segaloff, biographer of the film’s director, William Friedkin, draws on original interviews with cast, crew, and participants as well as revelations from personal papers to present an intriguing and surprising new view of the making of movie, and its aftermath.
Segaloff also examines as never before the keys to the movie’s enduring appeal. Friedkin and Blatty’s goal was far more ambitious than making a scary movie; they aimed to make people “think about the concept of good and evil.” The Exorcist succeeds, and then some, not just by creating on-screen scares, but by challenging viewers’ deepest personal beliefs—and fears.
On December 26, 1973, The Exorcist was released. Within days it had become legend. Moviegoers braved hours-long lines in winter weather to see it. Some audience members famously fainted or vomited. Half a century later, the movie that both inspired and transcends the modern horror genre has lost none of its power to terrify and unsettle.
The Exorcist Legacy reveals the complete story of this cultural phenomenon, from the real-life exorcism in 1949 Maryland that inspired William Peter Blatty’s bestselling novel on which the movie is based, to its many sequels, prequels, TV series, and homages. Nat Segaloff, biographer of the film’s director, William Friedkin, draws on original interviews with cast, crew, and participants as well as revelations from personal papers to present an intriguing and surprising new view of the making of movie, and its aftermath.
Segaloff also examines as never before the keys to the movie’s enduring appeal. Friedkin and Blatty’s goal was far more ambitious than making a scary movie; they aimed to make people “think about the concept of good and evil.” The Exorcist succeeds, and then some, not just by creating on-screen scares, but by challenging viewers’ deepest personal beliefs—and fears.
330 pages, Hardcover
First published July 25, 2023
About the author
Nat Segaloff
52 books35 followersNat Segaloff is a writer-producer-journalist. He covered the film industry for The Boston Herald, but has also variously been a studio publicist (Fox, UA, Columbia), college teacher (Boston University, Boston College), and broadcaster (Group W, CBS, Storer). He is the author of twenty books including Hurricane Billy: The Stormy Life and Films of William Friedkin, Arthur Penn: American Director and Final Cuts: The Last Films of 50 Great Directors in addition to career monographs on Stirling Silliphant, Walon Green, Paul Mazursky and John Milius. His writing has appeared in such varied periodicals as Film Comment, Written By, International Documentary, Animation Magazine, The Christian Science Monitor, Time Out (US), MacWorld and American Movie Classics Magazine. He was also senior reviewer for AudiobookCafe.com and contributing writer to Moving Pictures magazine.
In 1996 he formed the multi-media production company Alien Voices with actors Leonard Nimoy and actor John de Lancie and produced five best-selling, fully dramatized audio plays for Simon & Schuster: The Time Machine, Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Lost World, The Invisible Man and The First Men in the Moon, all of which feature Star Trek casts.
In 1996 he formed the multi-media production company Alien Voices with actors Leonard Nimoy and actor John de Lancie and produced five best-selling, fully dramatized audio plays for Simon & Schuster: The Time Machine, Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Lost World, The Invisible Man and The First Men in the Moon, all of which feature Star Trek casts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
July 18, 2024
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Nonfiction
If you are a fan of both the book and the movie adaptation of The Exorcist, then choosing to read this book is something you should absolutely do. "The Exorcist Legacy" is an engrossing and well-researched book that explores the far-reaching effects of one of the most famous horror films of all time. By delving into the film's background, making-of, and cultural impact, Nat Segaloff gives readers a thorough comprehension of why "The Exorcist" lingers in the minds of viewers long after it was first released.
The book does an excellent job of analyzing the film's lasting impact. Nat Segaloff expertly covers the impact of "The Exorcist" on the horror genre and its numerous influences. Readers will gain a deeper appreciation for the film as a whole after delving into its themes, such as the conflict between religion and science.
The main film and its production are not the only topics covered in this book; it also discusses the book itself, all of the sequel films that have been produced, and the television series. Additionally, it sheds some light on the new trilogy (I believe the first movie has already been released, but I have not yet watched it).
In sum, "The Exorcist Legacy" is an enthralling and illuminating tribute to a masterwork of cinema. This book is well worth reading at least once, whether you are a horror movie buff or just interested in the franchise's history.
Genre: Nonfiction
If you are a fan of both the book and the movie adaptation of The Exorcist, then choosing to read this book is something you should absolutely do. "The Exorcist Legacy" is an engrossing and well-researched book that explores the far-reaching effects of one of the most famous horror films of all time. By delving into the film's background, making-of, and cultural impact, Nat Segaloff gives readers a thorough comprehension of why "The Exorcist" lingers in the minds of viewers long after it was first released.
The book does an excellent job of analyzing the film's lasting impact. Nat Segaloff expertly covers the impact of "The Exorcist" on the horror genre and its numerous influences. Readers will gain a deeper appreciation for the film as a whole after delving into its themes, such as the conflict between religion and science.
The main film and its production are not the only topics covered in this book; it also discusses the book itself, all of the sequel films that have been produced, and the television series. Additionally, it sheds some light on the new trilogy (I believe the first movie has already been released, but I have not yet watched it).
In sum, "The Exorcist Legacy" is an enthralling and illuminating tribute to a masterwork of cinema. This book is well worth reading at least once, whether you are a horror movie buff or just interested in the franchise's history.
March 15, 2023
I've been a huge fan of THE EXORCIST, book, film, sequels, TV show, and all of the various permutations since I was a little boy, and my mother foolishly decided that it was OK to let me watch it when it premiered on CBS. To say I was traumatized would be an understatement. I'm finally, decades later, able to stumble across the film on TV without jumping in fright if I catch a glimpse of the possessed Regan.
So, needless to say, I've read and seen a lot about the making of the film and the behind-the-scenes lore. I thought I'd heard it all, but author Nat Segaloff still managed to toss me a few curve-balls, especially regarding the sequels, prequels, and the unfairly neglected TV series, which I highly recommend you track down, in case you haven't already. I only wish that Segaloff had spent more time on the sequels, prequels, and TV show, but he still manages to deliver a ton of information that was new to me. This is a must-read for fans of the franchise.
So, needless to say, I've read and seen a lot about the making of the film and the behind-the-scenes lore. I thought I'd heard it all, but author Nat Segaloff still managed to toss me a few curve-balls, especially regarding the sequels, prequels, and the unfairly neglected TV series, which I highly recommend you track down, in case you haven't already. I only wish that Segaloff had spent more time on the sequels, prequels, and TV show, but he still manages to deliver a ton of information that was new to me. This is a must-read for fans of the franchise.
September 1, 2023
The Exorcist is at first glance the story of a mother desperate to save her daughter from evils beyond her reckoning, but in the fifty years since it was first released it had gone on to become a beloved, long-running franchise rife with controversy.
I have never actually seen The Exorcist. Of course I know the movie and how iconic it is, and have heard plenty of the apocryphal stories surrounding its supposed curse, but I am not really into the horror genre and consequently have seen pretty much none of its classics. On the other hand, the impact of horror media on culture is something I have studied before and am still quite interested in – and as such, this book was right up my alley.
The author covers the long story of The Exorcist franchise, including not only the book that spawned it and the many movies and TV shows that followed, but the lives of the two men who have the greatest hand in bringing it to life, and what is believed to be the real case that inspired it. It’s a snappy, often tongue-in-cheek recounting from an author who clearly loves the franchise even as he recognizes many of its pitfalls. The discussion of the book, movies and TV show were also very accessible for someone who’d never consumed any of them due to the many sidebars.
However, while I appreciated the detailed recaps and discussions of where different versions of the story diverged from each other, I did feel that the book fell a little short on detailed analysis. I liked learning about how author William Peter Blatty’s Catholic faith and other personal beliefs underpinned much of The Exorcist (and later works), but wished we learned more about the specific decisions that were made in writing and shooting the films. I went away still unable to pinpoint the reason for The Exorcist‘s enduring impact.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I have never actually seen The Exorcist. Of course I know the movie and how iconic it is, and have heard plenty of the apocryphal stories surrounding its supposed curse, but I am not really into the horror genre and consequently have seen pretty much none of its classics. On the other hand, the impact of horror media on culture is something I have studied before and am still quite interested in – and as such, this book was right up my alley.
The author covers the long story of The Exorcist franchise, including not only the book that spawned it and the many movies and TV shows that followed, but the lives of the two men who have the greatest hand in bringing it to life, and what is believed to be the real case that inspired it. It’s a snappy, often tongue-in-cheek recounting from an author who clearly loves the franchise even as he recognizes many of its pitfalls. The discussion of the book, movies and TV show were also very accessible for someone who’d never consumed any of them due to the many sidebars.
However, while I appreciated the detailed recaps and discussions of where different versions of the story diverged from each other, I did feel that the book fell a little short on detailed analysis. I liked learning about how author William Peter Blatty’s Catholic faith and other personal beliefs underpinned much of The Exorcist (and later works), but wished we learned more about the specific decisions that were made in writing and shooting the films. I went away still unable to pinpoint the reason for The Exorcist‘s enduring impact.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
December 22, 2023
Thoughts:
Well once again......what to say about this book....
I thought this would be interesting book about the movie franchise and it was up to a point - there was some cool details of how the movies were made along with how they made the movie scenes look real but other than that I wasn't too impressed with the book.
Tons of filler/fluff between the pages of this book - a lot of stuff that was boring to me - too many details about every single thing that happened with the movie franchise. For movie buffs that want to know every detail of everyone's lives on and off the movie set then this book is for you. But for me I just wanted to know about the movies themselves and how they were made. Some of the book was just useless drivel and almost put me to sleep a few times, but at least I didn't lay it down as a dreaded dnf (it came close - trust me) but I just wanted to see how the book would end so I plunged forward! Giving this book two "Almost Fell Asleep" stars!
Well once again......what to say about this book....
I thought this would be interesting book about the movie franchise and it was up to a point - there was some cool details of how the movies were made along with how they made the movie scenes look real but other than that I wasn't too impressed with the book.
Tons of filler/fluff between the pages of this book - a lot of stuff that was boring to me - too many details about every single thing that happened with the movie franchise. For movie buffs that want to know every detail of everyone's lives on and off the movie set then this book is for you. But for me I just wanted to know about the movies themselves and how they were made. Some of the book was just useless drivel and almost put me to sleep a few times, but at least I didn't lay it down as a dreaded dnf (it came close - trust me) but I just wanted to see how the book would end so I plunged forward! Giving this book two "Almost Fell Asleep" stars!
March 21, 2023
This review is for an ARC copy received from the publisher through NetGalley.
It's hard to believe that the film The Exorcist is almost 50 years old. And that is has as much of a legacy as it does. But this book, for the most part, does a wonderful job of regaling the reader with everything Exorcist from the time of the seminal film. That legacy is told in documentary style including first-hand experiences and observations by the author as well as including excerpts from numerous interviews and other publications over the decades. With regards to the original film, not only did I learn behind-the-scenes information I had not heard before, but there were movie factoids and deeper meanings in the film itself that I had never heard of or, somewhat to my embarrassment, realized before. Not only was the story behind the story very engaging and informative, but at times was even hilarious. Where the book is weaker, and arguably because of its source material, is in the latter part of the "legacy," pretty much steadily becoming less interesting the farther from Exorcist III/Legion it got. Though the troubled history of the Dominion/The Beginning films and the short-lived TV show (which I really enjoyed and felt was sorely underrated) were intriguing, the time spent on the not even yet released upcoming movies felt like it got too much attention in the book, and the subsequent chapters on actual religious mythology felt unnecessary since such matter were previously addressed as they specifically applied to the original film. But overall it was a very informative and enjoyable read about The Exorcist.
It's hard to believe that the film The Exorcist is almost 50 years old. And that is has as much of a legacy as it does. But this book, for the most part, does a wonderful job of regaling the reader with everything Exorcist from the time of the seminal film. That legacy is told in documentary style including first-hand experiences and observations by the author as well as including excerpts from numerous interviews and other publications over the decades. With regards to the original film, not only did I learn behind-the-scenes information I had not heard before, but there were movie factoids and deeper meanings in the film itself that I had never heard of or, somewhat to my embarrassment, realized before. Not only was the story behind the story very engaging and informative, but at times was even hilarious. Where the book is weaker, and arguably because of its source material, is in the latter part of the "legacy," pretty much steadily becoming less interesting the farther from Exorcist III/Legion it got. Though the troubled history of the Dominion/The Beginning films and the short-lived TV show (which I really enjoyed and felt was sorely underrated) were intriguing, the time spent on the not even yet released upcoming movies felt like it got too much attention in the book, and the subsequent chapters on actual religious mythology felt unnecessary since such matter were previously addressed as they specifically applied to the original film. But overall it was a very informative and enjoyable read about The Exorcist.
August 1, 2023
“The Exorcist” is one of my favorite films, in terms of genuine, superb filmmaking. It’s a film I will always make time to watch if it’s on television, and I make a point of watching it every October (along with other creepy classics). I’m one of those people who don’t consider it a horror film, but more of a supernatural thriller…and a fabulous one at that. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to read this book, even though this book ended up being nothing like I thought it would be. Somehow, even though I expected this book to be completely different than it ended up being, it still ended up being a treat for a very different reason, and Nat Segaloff (a name even I know, as he’s been around for ages as an entertainment reporter and film historian) is to thank for that.
I went into this book thinking it would be partially about the making of the original film, complete with plentiful interviews and anecdotes from the cast and crew, and partially about the reception of the film and the lasting legacy it’s left on Hollywood and on both horror films and various film makers as well. Instead, this entire book is one long love (and other emotions) letter to not only the original Exorcist film but to the original William Peter Blatty novel, the movie, all the different cuts of the original movie, the three sequels, the short-lived television series, and talks about the upcoming three-movie sequel set (the first movie in this set is slated to premiere this October as of this review).
Segaloff worked as a publicist on the original Exorcist film, so he was there, right at the beginning, and that’s how he begins the book. From there, this book is as immaculately researched as possible, given that William Peter Blatty passed away in 2017 and couldn’t tell his side of the story for every other side of the story told in this book. Segaloff could only work off any existing printed or recorded (audio or visual) material that Blatty had left behind before he passed (or remarks made to other people that could be considered hearsay).
I absolutely loved all the ins and outs of the movie making processes and stories of how the Hollywood machine grinds away, which is what a good amount of this book is about: fights over script length, casting, production costs, etc. The stories about the unconventional, weird, and on/off again friendship between Blatty and Freidkin were also interesting. The part of the book I disliked the most were how Segaloff insisted on inserting long synopses of the book, the movie, every version of the movie released, every sequel, etc. I ended up skimming those because I didn’t care. I’ve seen “The Exorcist” enough times I don’t need a synopsis. However, I can see the value in including them for people who haven’t read the book, seen the sequels, or just don’t remember as much as I do.
The book as a whole is an excellent book on the history of a groundbreaking film that shocked America and changed the horror movie landscape forever. A great read if you’re into the history of horror films.
I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: History/Nonfiction
I went into this book thinking it would be partially about the making of the original film, complete with plentiful interviews and anecdotes from the cast and crew, and partially about the reception of the film and the lasting legacy it’s left on Hollywood and on both horror films and various film makers as well. Instead, this entire book is one long love (and other emotions) letter to not only the original Exorcist film but to the original William Peter Blatty novel, the movie, all the different cuts of the original movie, the three sequels, the short-lived television series, and talks about the upcoming three-movie sequel set (the first movie in this set is slated to premiere this October as of this review).
Segaloff worked as a publicist on the original Exorcist film, so he was there, right at the beginning, and that’s how he begins the book. From there, this book is as immaculately researched as possible, given that William Peter Blatty passed away in 2017 and couldn’t tell his side of the story for every other side of the story told in this book. Segaloff could only work off any existing printed or recorded (audio or visual) material that Blatty had left behind before he passed (or remarks made to other people that could be considered hearsay).
I absolutely loved all the ins and outs of the movie making processes and stories of how the Hollywood machine grinds away, which is what a good amount of this book is about: fights over script length, casting, production costs, etc. The stories about the unconventional, weird, and on/off again friendship between Blatty and Freidkin were also interesting. The part of the book I disliked the most were how Segaloff insisted on inserting long synopses of the book, the movie, every version of the movie released, every sequel, etc. I ended up skimming those because I didn’t care. I’ve seen “The Exorcist” enough times I don’t need a synopsis. However, I can see the value in including them for people who haven’t read the book, seen the sequels, or just don’t remember as much as I do.
The book as a whole is an excellent book on the history of a groundbreaking film that shocked America and changed the horror movie landscape forever. A great read if you’re into the history of horror films.
I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: History/Nonfiction
August 29, 2023
"Dracula can’t follow you home from the movie theater. But Satan may be waiting for you when you open the door."
The year is 1973 and I wasn't even a thought yet. Not even sure if my donors were even together or even knew each other. That's beside the point. One of the most terrifying horror films was released and scared the nation. I saw this at a young age and I was traumatized. It's one of the main reasons why I'm obsessed with horror today. (Thanks, Pop)
While I didn't learn anything new about the franchise, this was still a very interesting read. The in-depth look at the movies, a TV show, and all the legal troubles makes this book worth the read. It's a book that needs to be on the shelves of all horror fans. Just remember where your Mom is...
The year is 1973 and I wasn't even a thought yet. Not even sure if my donors were even together or even knew each other. That's beside the point. One of the most terrifying horror films was released and scared the nation. I saw this at a young age and I was traumatized. It's one of the main reasons why I'm obsessed with horror today. (Thanks, Pop)
While I didn't learn anything new about the franchise, this was still a very interesting read. The in-depth look at the movies, a TV show, and all the legal troubles makes this book worth the read. It's a book that needs to be on the shelves of all horror fans. Just remember where your Mom is...
May 25, 2023
A must read for any fan of The Exorcist, horror, or film history in general. Nat Segaloff provides a comprehensive history of the franchise, and the climate in which it existed, including the TV series which I had no idea existed prior to reading this. It’s wild to say that The Exorcist has been around for nearly 50 years. Time, man. The Exorcist paved the way for so much of what I love today that this almost feels like required reading for any self proclaimed horror or film nerd, but required reading I really enjoyed — and you’ll likely enjoy too, if spooks and movies are your thing.
September 10, 2023
you would think i wouldn't be a surprised that a book about the exorcist makes me question faith and religion, but here it is making me do just that and surprising me along the way! really loved the insight into blatty and friedkin's relationship during and after filming the exoricist and i really loved and appreciated all the behind the scenes info. fantastic book for fans of the film and book!
October 9, 2023
It felt like a collection of Wikipedia articles, and most of the narration was about Blattely and Fridken's views on faith.
I wanted it to expand more on the cultural ramifications of the film. The rise of satanic panic, the antidote about how Lyndard Skynard drummer thought he was possessed after seeing the movie, or how part 3 was Jeffry Dahmer's favorite movie.
It did not even mention the fact that John Carpenter was attached at one point to direct part 3.
I wanted it to expand more on the cultural ramifications of the film. The rise of satanic panic, the antidote about how Lyndard Skynard drummer thought he was possessed after seeing the movie, or how part 3 was Jeffry Dahmer's favorite movie.
It did not even mention the fact that John Carpenter was attached at one point to direct part 3.
May 17, 2023
The Exorcist is one of my all time favourite movies. A mystery of faith, the battle between evil and good and the most terrifying detective story ever made. Brilliant on so many levels. If you like me love the movies, this book is a must read. It’s well written and filled with interesting stories about the making of the movies.
Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the copy.
Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the copy.
August 7, 2023
I was looking forward to this book because I’m a huge fan of the film. There’s really not much new information, and half of it is about the sequels and prequels, which I don’t consider worthy of your time. A few times I had to skip parts that bored me.
August 7, 2023
I received a copy from Kensington Books, Citadel through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
If you’re a fan of The Exorcist books, films, or TV show, this is the book for you! Inside, you will find a lot of interesting information about its entire legacy beginning with the inspiration for the book. I have actually never read the book, but I’ve seen the movies as well as the TV show and loved them. There was some very interesting information throughout the book. I knew some of it, but I definitely didn’t know all of it! I never did see the rerelease of the first movie that is, essentially, the writer’s cut. However, the scenes that were added back into the film are explained in detail along with the general comments made about them. I can see why the cuts had been made at the time of its original release, though I understand why the author wasn’t exactly happy about those cuts.
I was a big fan of the TV show back when it was on, so it was particularly interesting to read a little about what went on behind the scenes, especially because I hadn’t learned about it before. It was interesting and it is a little sad to think about how it would’ve done if it was a show picked up by a streaming network over cable TV. The first season, in particular, was spectacular. Season two was pretty good up until a certain point before it just suddenly dove straight down a hill. However, overall, the show was very good and I never would’ve guessed how rushed they felt getting the first season going.
All in all, this is a very interesting read. I think that if you are a huge fan who knows a lot about The Exorcist Legacy, there may not be much new information for you to learn while reading this. However, I think most fans will find it an enjoyable and interesting read!
If you’re a fan of The Exorcist books, films, or TV show, this is the book for you! Inside, you will find a lot of interesting information about its entire legacy beginning with the inspiration for the book. I have actually never read the book, but I’ve seen the movies as well as the TV show and loved them. There was some very interesting information throughout the book. I knew some of it, but I definitely didn’t know all of it! I never did see the rerelease of the first movie that is, essentially, the writer’s cut. However, the scenes that were added back into the film are explained in detail along with the general comments made about them. I can see why the cuts had been made at the time of its original release, though I understand why the author wasn’t exactly happy about those cuts.
I was a big fan of the TV show back when it was on, so it was particularly interesting to read a little about what went on behind the scenes, especially because I hadn’t learned about it before. It was interesting and it is a little sad to think about how it would’ve done if it was a show picked up by a streaming network over cable TV. The first season, in particular, was spectacular. Season two was pretty good up until a certain point before it just suddenly dove straight down a hill. However, overall, the show was very good and I never would’ve guessed how rushed they felt getting the first season going.
All in all, this is a very interesting read. I think that if you are a huge fan who knows a lot about The Exorcist Legacy, there may not be much new information for you to learn while reading this. However, I think most fans will find it an enjoyable and interesting read!
September 1, 2023
Felt more like a college thesis paper than an actual book. Painfully repetitious too.
August 30, 2023
The Exorcist movie brings up so many memories for me. Watching as a kid and being suitably horrified. It was one of the films that disturbed and upset me. But also made me think about my faith. And it helped solidify my love of the horror genre.
I also loved both The Exorcist book and the sequel, Legion. The Exorcist Legacy was a deep dive into the origin story of the movie, books and subsequent sequels and prequels. Even going so far as to go over the short lived TV series, which I also loved.
Great information regarding Blatty and Freidkin’s partnership and friendship.
I really enjoyed learning the back stories and all the things that went wrong. Great read for those who love horror books and film and have a special nostalgic place in their hearts for The Exorcist.
I also loved both The Exorcist book and the sequel, Legion. The Exorcist Legacy was a deep dive into the origin story of the movie, books and subsequent sequels and prequels. Even going so far as to go over the short lived TV series, which I also loved.
Great information regarding Blatty and Freidkin’s partnership and friendship.
I really enjoyed learning the back stories and all the things that went wrong. Great read for those who love horror books and film and have a special nostalgic place in their hearts for The Exorcist.
March 12, 2023
Review from ARC: I haven't read other books about The Exorcist, but this strikes me as a warts-and-all history of the book, the movies, the TV series, and all involved. It's an important (and timely) tale to tell as many of the main characters are either not with us anymore (Blatty, von Sydow) or won't be with us for much longer (Friedkin, Burstyn). Most interesting for me were Friedkin and Batty's early years, and the impact these had on their telling of the original story. But even the lesser sequels have interesting histories that will appeal to fans of any part of this franchise. Fifty years on a good story is still a good story!
August 10, 2023
My thanks to Kensington Books for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Exorcist Legacy: 50 Years of Fear’ by Nat Segaloff.
In it Segaloff presents an in-depth look at the history of this film, its influence, and sequels.
I had initially read ‘The Exorcist’ novel before seeing the film and like many I was concerned by the reports of the audiences’ extreme reactions. Yet when I did see it, I remember being impressed and have subsequently viewed it a number of times over the years.
The author is a writer and producer as well as a film historian. In 1973 he had been a publicity director for a Boston theater chain where the film was shown during its original run. In 1990 he wrote a biography of its director, William Friedkin.
Segaloff draws on a wealth of material, including interviews with the original cast and crew, to present the story of how William Peter Blatty originally came to write the novel and his campaign to get it filmed as he envisioned it.
It’s a fascinating story that stresses that Blatty and Friedkin were not interested in making a scary movie; instead they aimed to make people “think about the concept of good and evil.”
Nat Segaloff presents synopses, designated as sidebars, for both Exorcist novels as well as the original film and its sequels. These were very useful to jog my memory and to better appreciate the changes made from page to screen.
I was especially interested in how the special effects were created for the film. There was no CGI in the 1970s and Friedkin believed that the possession would only look real if it was really happening, using earthly tricks to create the supernatural effects. My eye is never fooled by CGI, it just doesn’t quite look real, whereas the effects in ‘The Exorcist’ had been very convincing.
I was shocked to read that Segaloff’s sources had told him that ‘The Exorcist’ had won the vote for Best Visual Effects but rather than give it the award, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences had dropped the category that year.
Clearly having a horror film winning prestigious awards ruffled some feathers. Still, the film was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. It only won two for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Sound. Yet it has proved a classic with a lasting cultural impact.
Overall, I found ‘The Exorcist Legacy’ a thorough history of this iconic film.
In it Segaloff presents an in-depth look at the history of this film, its influence, and sequels.
I had initially read ‘The Exorcist’ novel before seeing the film and like many I was concerned by the reports of the audiences’ extreme reactions. Yet when I did see it, I remember being impressed and have subsequently viewed it a number of times over the years.
The author is a writer and producer as well as a film historian. In 1973 he had been a publicity director for a Boston theater chain where the film was shown during its original run. In 1990 he wrote a biography of its director, William Friedkin.
Segaloff draws on a wealth of material, including interviews with the original cast and crew, to present the story of how William Peter Blatty originally came to write the novel and his campaign to get it filmed as he envisioned it.
It’s a fascinating story that stresses that Blatty and Friedkin were not interested in making a scary movie; instead they aimed to make people “think about the concept of good and evil.”
Nat Segaloff presents synopses, designated as sidebars, for both Exorcist novels as well as the original film and its sequels. These were very useful to jog my memory and to better appreciate the changes made from page to screen.
I was especially interested in how the special effects were created for the film. There was no CGI in the 1970s and Friedkin believed that the possession would only look real if it was really happening, using earthly tricks to create the supernatural effects. My eye is never fooled by CGI, it just doesn’t quite look real, whereas the effects in ‘The Exorcist’ had been very convincing.
I was shocked to read that Segaloff’s sources had told him that ‘The Exorcist’ had won the vote for Best Visual Effects but rather than give it the award, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences had dropped the category that year.
Clearly having a horror film winning prestigious awards ruffled some feathers. Still, the film was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. It only won two for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Sound. Yet it has proved a classic with a lasting cultural impact.
Overall, I found ‘The Exorcist Legacy’ a thorough history of this iconic film.
July 25, 2023
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Exorcist came out when I was in middle school so I didn’t get the theatrical experience with the movie but did get to see it when I was older. I did read the book while I was still in middle school. Our theaters in my town were very strict in not admitting anyone under 17 without a parent and my mom didn’t care what I read but she was not going to go with me to see that. My dad wasn't a film fan, and in fact, I only ever recall him going to one movie in my life. I threw up cheese popcorn and I think that did it for him.
I was interested in this book to find out more information about William Peter Blatty’s inspiration for the book as well as the journey to get this film made. The author did not disappoint. Meticulous research went into this thorough volume. I enjoyed it immensely. Interesting information was in every chapter and the way Blatty fought for his vision was admirable.
I learned a lot about the man and how strongly he believed in this story and wanted it told in the way he imagined it. He never sold out his characters or how he saw the crux of his story. His vision was to focus on the priest’s crisis of faith. In his mind, the story was more about the priest than the possessed child.
At the end of each chapter was a side note section that gave even more insider information and insight. That additional information was much appreciated by this reader as it fleshed out more details than might have fit seamlessly in the flow of the chapter.
The best parts of the book dealt with the original story. The author also fully explored all of the sequels and the nuances of them. As well, he described the ways they worked as sequels and the ways they didn’t. These sections were as meticulously researched as the parts about the book itself and the film. I have to confess I didn’t enjoy the parts about the sequels as much (some of them I hadn’t seen and thus, I appreciated the plot synopses by the author).
If you’re a film buff, a fan of The Exorcist and all its permutations, or if you just like Hollywood stories about making of films and the politics and machinations of getting a book to the screen, this is an excellent work to read. The author is to be commended for all the research he did and kudos to him for the insider information he was able to obtain from all the interviews he conducted. Highly recommend this for lovers of the book, film and/or the sequels.
The Exorcist came out when I was in middle school so I didn’t get the theatrical experience with the movie but did get to see it when I was older. I did read the book while I was still in middle school. Our theaters in my town were very strict in not admitting anyone under 17 without a parent and my mom didn’t care what I read but she was not going to go with me to see that. My dad wasn't a film fan, and in fact, I only ever recall him going to one movie in my life. I threw up cheese popcorn and I think that did it for him.
I was interested in this book to find out more information about William Peter Blatty’s inspiration for the book as well as the journey to get this film made. The author did not disappoint. Meticulous research went into this thorough volume. I enjoyed it immensely. Interesting information was in every chapter and the way Blatty fought for his vision was admirable.
I learned a lot about the man and how strongly he believed in this story and wanted it told in the way he imagined it. He never sold out his characters or how he saw the crux of his story. His vision was to focus on the priest’s crisis of faith. In his mind, the story was more about the priest than the possessed child.
At the end of each chapter was a side note section that gave even more insider information and insight. That additional information was much appreciated by this reader as it fleshed out more details than might have fit seamlessly in the flow of the chapter.
The best parts of the book dealt with the original story. The author also fully explored all of the sequels and the nuances of them. As well, he described the ways they worked as sequels and the ways they didn’t. These sections were as meticulously researched as the parts about the book itself and the film. I have to confess I didn’t enjoy the parts about the sequels as much (some of them I hadn’t seen and thus, I appreciated the plot synopses by the author).
If you’re a film buff, a fan of The Exorcist and all its permutations, or if you just like Hollywood stories about making of films and the politics and machinations of getting a book to the screen, this is an excellent work to read. The author is to be commended for all the research he did and kudos to him for the insider information he was able to obtain from all the interviews he conducted. Highly recommend this for lovers of the book, film and/or the sequels.
July 25, 2023
Reading The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty back in May was a great experience for me. The audiobook is narrated by Blatty himself and it is masterfully done. It's a truly chilling tale and one that so many know because of the iconic 1971 film, the first horror film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, directed by William Friedkin.
I've personally only ever seen the first Exorcist movie so my interest/attention did wax and wane during the sections covering the other Exorcist movies. That being said, the author does a great job of summarizing them so even if you haven't watched the other movies you can get a feel for the film, plot and characters.
You get a telling look at the movie making industry, the relationship between the two Williams, and the lasting effect of The Exorcist.
I believe horror movie buffs, and fans of The Exorcist book and subsequent film franchise, will be fascinated by what they glean from this thoroughly researched book.
I give The Exorcist Legacy: 50 Years of Fear by Nat Segaloff 3.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐💫 (rounded down to 3 for Goodreads)
Also I just saw the trailer for the newest installment in the franchise, The Exorcist: Believer, and I do plan on seeing that this October 💚
I've personally only ever seen the first Exorcist movie so my interest/attention did wax and wane during the sections covering the other Exorcist movies. That being said, the author does a great job of summarizing them so even if you haven't watched the other movies you can get a feel for the film, plot and characters.
You get a telling look at the movie making industry, the relationship between the two Williams, and the lasting effect of The Exorcist.
I believe horror movie buffs, and fans of The Exorcist book and subsequent film franchise, will be fascinated by what they glean from this thoroughly researched book.
I give The Exorcist Legacy: 50 Years of Fear by Nat Segaloff 3.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐💫 (rounded down to 3 for Goodreads)
Also I just saw the trailer for the newest installment in the franchise, The Exorcist: Believer, and I do plan on seeing that this October 💚
July 30, 2023
I just finished The Exorcist Legacy: 50 Years of Fear by Nat Segaloff and here are my thoughts.
It’s been 50 years since the movie has been released and it is still one of the scariest movies of all times. 1973 was the year and it has had us gripped ever since.
It is a cult classic and Nat Segaloff has an interesting viewpoint of the rationale as to why it became a long time classic. It is still the benchmark for horror movies for sure.
The book that the movie is based on was written about a real life exorcism that happened in 1949. That book scared me as much as the movie did and is still one of my favorite horror books of all time.
This book is full of interviews and some really interesting information regarding the movie.
It was nice to read about how they managed to pull off so many of the special FX in a time before CGI. It got a bit repetitive but all in all, a solid non fiction read.
3.5 stars.
Thank you to @netgalley and @kensingtonbooks for my gifted copy
It’s been 50 years since the movie has been released and it is still one of the scariest movies of all times. 1973 was the year and it has had us gripped ever since.
It is a cult classic and Nat Segaloff has an interesting viewpoint of the rationale as to why it became a long time classic. It is still the benchmark for horror movies for sure.
The book that the movie is based on was written about a real life exorcism that happened in 1949. That book scared me as much as the movie did and is still one of my favorite horror books of all time.
This book is full of interviews and some really interesting information regarding the movie.
It was nice to read about how they managed to pull off so many of the special FX in a time before CGI. It got a bit repetitive but all in all, a solid non fiction read.
3.5 stars.
Thank you to @netgalley and @kensingtonbooks for my gifted copy
July 24, 2023
Who wasn't terrified of The Exorcist ??
I watched this movie prob way too young & had nightmares for years ! This imo is still one of the scariest movies ever . I have yet to read the book because I'm a baby & I'm scared. 🤣 But for real . Maybe this will be the year I finally tacke it ?? We'll see .
I thought this book was going to go more in detail about like the effects this movie has had on culture even now , the fandom of this book/movie #TheExorcistLegacy but it was a long winded explanation about why the book was written & how it came to be a movie , although it was cool reading about all that & how the movie almost didn't happen (which can u imagine) , everything was repeated about a 100 times but with more detail every time. It's a very thorough book I'll give it that & very cool & Interesting in parts but like I said very long winded . Still a cool read though .
Thanks #Netgalley 💀
I watched this movie prob way too young & had nightmares for years ! This imo is still one of the scariest movies ever . I have yet to read the book because I'm a baby & I'm scared. 🤣 But for real . Maybe this will be the year I finally tacke it ?? We'll see .
I thought this book was going to go more in detail about like the effects this movie has had on culture even now , the fandom of this book/movie #TheExorcistLegacy but it was a long winded explanation about why the book was written & how it came to be a movie , although it was cool reading about all that & how the movie almost didn't happen (which can u imagine) , everything was repeated about a 100 times but with more detail every time. It's a very thorough book I'll give it that & very cool & Interesting in parts but like I said very long winded . Still a cool read though .
Thanks #Netgalley 💀
July 22, 2023
An atmospheric read that is authentic and well researched.
An honorary piece covering one of the world’s scariest horror movies of all times that today, still causes great controversy and traumatizes audiences around the globe.
What is one of the most interesting points in this book is the original concept versus the perception by readers/movie goers.
Covering but not limited too: mini bio’s on the author, the director, the actors, the concept, the technical team(behind the scenes phenomenon).
Mentioning the sequels, prequels and the shows that have spawned from the original.
Truly an amazing piece that keeps growing it’s fan base, even fifty years later.
The movie terrified me, in my youth; still disturbs me to this day and the book? Sits on my shelf, unread- because books are always supposed to better than the movies- but the trauma from the movie? Keeps me wary on reading the book!
Thank you Nat Segaloff, William Peter Beatty and William Friedkin for all the years of terror!
Well done!
An honorary piece covering one of the world’s scariest horror movies of all times that today, still causes great controversy and traumatizes audiences around the globe.
What is one of the most interesting points in this book is the original concept versus the perception by readers/movie goers.
Covering but not limited too: mini bio’s on the author, the director, the actors, the concept, the technical team(behind the scenes phenomenon).
Mentioning the sequels, prequels and the shows that have spawned from the original.
Truly an amazing piece that keeps growing it’s fan base, even fifty years later.
The movie terrified me, in my youth; still disturbs me to this day and the book? Sits on my shelf, unread- because books are always supposed to better than the movies- but the trauma from the movie? Keeps me wary on reading the book!
Thank you Nat Segaloff, William Peter Beatty and William Friedkin for all the years of terror!
Well done!
April 30, 2023
Everything you always wanted to know about ‘The Exorcist’…and more.
Timed to the 50th anniversary of the film - and the launch of a new trilogy of ‘Exorcist’ films - the book gives us an insider’s view of the property from William Peter Blatty writing the original novel (and screenplay) through the sequels, the various alternate cuts of the original and the upcoming trilogy.
Segaloff’s connection to the film began with his work as a Boston movie chain publicist overseeing the last-minute Christmas Day 1973 press screening (the day before the official opening).
The author would go on to write a biography of the director William Friedkin - ‘Hurricane Billy’ - which introduced him to Blatty and other people connected with the film.
Fans of the film will be delighted by this deep dive into one of the most successful horror films of all time.
Timed to the 50th anniversary of the film - and the launch of a new trilogy of ‘Exorcist’ films - the book gives us an insider’s view of the property from William Peter Blatty writing the original novel (and screenplay) through the sequels, the various alternate cuts of the original and the upcoming trilogy.
Segaloff’s connection to the film began with his work as a Boston movie chain publicist overseeing the last-minute Christmas Day 1973 press screening (the day before the official opening).
The author would go on to write a biography of the director William Friedkin - ‘Hurricane Billy’ - which introduced him to Blatty and other people connected with the film.
Fans of the film will be delighted by this deep dive into one of the most successful horror films of all time.
July 26, 2023
A must read if you are a fan of The Exorcist movies, books or tv series! If you haven't seen all the movies, tv series or read the books, the author does a fantastic job summarizing all of them so you will still be able to follow the story regarding the making of. (I personally haven't read the books of seen two of the sequels but had no issues following along) I loved how detailed this book was and appreciated the author's great lengths of sourcing bits of interviews to tie it all together. This book is also the perfect read for the upcoming trilogy that comes out with the first installment in Oct 2023.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read this book!
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read this book!
November 3, 2023
I really liked this behind the scenes look at one of the most acclaimed horror movies of all time - The Exorcist. I'm glad the author talked about all the different versions of the Exorcist, of which I have seen all of them :). It was also fun listening to the behind the scenes controversies and stress while developing and filming the movies. I want to thank the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for giving me an e-copy of this book, in return for an honest review.
June 24, 2023
I received a free copy of, The Exorcist Legacy, by Nat Segaloff, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I remember watching The Exorcist as a kid, and it freaked me out., (the whole head spinning thing) I only watched the original version though. This books talks about all the Exorcist movies, the alleged curse, and much more. This is a really enjoyable read, for fans of The Exorcist.
July 25, 2023
I loved this book! As a horror enthusiast and a fan of 'The Exorcist' it was lots of fun and interesting to read about how the movie came to be and the story and people behind it. I would highly reccomend this to anyone who enjoys horror films. 10/10 highly recommend! Special Thank You to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy prior to release in exchange for an honest review.
August 2, 2023
This is an amazingly well researched book, but it is definitely for hardcore Exorcist fans. It felt a little long as it got to the prequel(s) but everything had to be in there to show just how far the movie series has come in the last 50 years!
November 9, 2023
Very interesting book for someone who remembers how popular this movie was. I always enjoy reading about how certain movies were made, got pretty detailed about several areas. Not so sure how interesting this book would be to someone who didn't experience it from day one.
April 29, 2024
As a fan of the original movie (the only one that ever truly frightens me), I enjoyed this book. It provides so much behind the scenes and making of information that I didn't know. It also spends some time on each subsequent entry in the franchise. For anyone who is a fan, this is a must read.
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5 stars
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