“The Exorcist” The story of how a priest who lost his faith regains “God”

“Realistic play” brought out by ethically out-of-ethics production

Paul Newman, Jack Nicholson, Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman, Warren Beatty, Burt Reynolds, Ryan O'Neal, Peter Fonda, Al Pacino, Jon Voight, Christopher Walken, Alain Delon, James Kahn, Roy Scheider….

They are all famous actors from the film industry, but can you tell what they have in common? The correct answer is the actors named to play Father Karras. Casting of a star actor was initially considered as the main role of the film. However, it was the unknown Jason Miller who ultimately won the role of Father Karras. Director William Friedkin was impressed with his performance on stage and cast him in the role of Father Karras.

“The Exorcist” trailer

Jason Miller lived up to those expectations and showed a passionate performance that earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. However, behind this was William Friedkin's ``full-on sadistic production'' that was particular about thorough realism.

To create a truly surprised look, Friedkin suddenly fires a gun near Jason Miller's ear, making him flinch. In the scene where Regan sprays Father Karras in the face with green vomit, it was originally explained that he would aim for the chest, but he accidentally (or Friedkin engineered it) shot it in the face. The look of disgust on his face as he wiped up the vomit was a genuine reaction.

“The Exorcist” (c)2019 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.

Of course, Jason Miller is not the only victim. Father Callas' best friend, Father Dyer, is played by William O'Malley, a real Jesuit priest, but Friedkin slaps him just before filming to bring out his agitated performance. The scene where the bed shakes and Regan cries out is a real scream caused by more vibrations than you can imagine.

There is a parade of unethical productions, but why did William Friedkin go to such lengths to create "realistic plays"? This may be because I felt that the philosophical theme of the ``absence of God'' that this film encompasses could not be addressed through the acting of actors.

Father Demian Callas = Rebel to God