Frequently Asked Questions about The Exorcist

What is your favorite scene?  This scene with Ellen Burstyn. 

What was the hardest part of making The Exorcist? The cold- to this day I can't stand to be cold, the intense makeup and special effects. 

Is that your voice we hear throughout the film? I had to speak all of the dialogue while filming, but there are some scenes where my voice is dubbed over. 

How did you get your head to spin around? I can't do that, they built and used a dummy. 

Were you hurt while making The Exorcist? Yes, my back was fractured while shooting the scene where Regan says, "Mother please! Oh Mother please make it stop! It's burning, it's burning, please mother." Nobody realized that the rig had come apart and my tears were real. 

Did you do the spiderwalk? No, a contortionist was hired to do that.

Why do you refer to The Exorcist as a theological thriller rather than a horror film?  Well this movie, to this day, is a highly intelligent theological thriller. I want the audience to listen to the words. It's about losing faith. It's about all these different emotions that people have. The movie was ahead of it's time and it still addresses these issues. Lets look at it and think, what's happening in the world now? There's something more to it and I'm just starting to put my finger on it. I'm not controlling this movie. The audience is what's controlling this film. The movie has its own life. Its not just a "scary movie".