Mitch A

The Exorcist was released December 26 1973 and was an instant sensation. Directed by William Friedkin - the film was based on a novel by William Peter Blatty and tells the story of a sweet 12 year old Regan MacNeil ( played by Linda Blair) who becomes inhabited by an evil entity that claims to be the devil himself. As it becomes apparent that Regan's bizarre and offensive behavior ( and that is putting it mildly) is more than just a medical or mental disorder - her mother becomes desperate. Chris MacNeil (played by Ellen Burstyn) turns to the Catholic Church and a local priest by the name of Damien Karras for help. Karras (played by Jason Miller) - who happens to be fighting his own demons - calls upon Father Merrin (played by Max Von Sydow) to lead the battle against evil and drive the malevolent spirit out of the child. This movie was frightening and disturbing at the time of its release and is the all time classic modern-day horror movie