THE EXORCIST III
US, 1990, 110 minutes, Colour.
George C.Scott, Ed Flanders, Brad Dourif, Jason Miller, Nicol Williamson, Scott Wilson.
Directed by William Peter Blatty.
The Exorcist III was written and directed by author William Peter Blatty. He won an Oscar for his screenplay for the original Exorcist, directed by William Friedkin. He had nothing to do with Exorcist II, directed by John Boorman. This sequel takes up some of the characters of the original, 15 years later.
The film is quite different in tone from the original. Not particularly much is made of the supernatural and faith. There is quite a deal of religious iconography, statues with their eyes opening, churches and confessionals, exorcism rituals. However, the film seems more of a police investigation of serial crimes which happen to be related to exorcism and satanic possession. (Similar to 1990's The First Power with Lou Diamond Phillips.)
The film gains its intensity more from the presence of George C. Scott and his intensity. There is a very good supporting cast who generally do no more than offer cameo roles. Particularly good is Brad Dourif as the spirit of the Gemini Killer (a parallel plot device for his role in the two Child's Play films, to which his character refers).
The film has a lot of comic dialogue, much of it very flip and with movie references to It's a Wonderful Life and, even, with actor Lee Richardson being asked what his favourite film is, replying, "The Fly" (he was the villain in the sequel). There is also a humorous line when George C. Scott and Ed Flanders are discussing the problem of evil and pain and God's role, referring to this kind of God as a cosmic Billie Burke.
Those expecting something like the original may well be disappointed (especially as the violence is generally verbal rather than visual). Jason Miller, the hero of the original, has a rather unrewarding role in this film which indicates the different level on which it works.
1. Comparisons with the original? Content, style and tone? This film as a satisfactory sequel? Continuity?
2. The work of William Peter Blatty, his writing, direction? Continuity? Humorous tone?
3. Audience expectations, the background of satanic possession and exorcism? The original with the innocent person possessed? The sequel with the priest being punished by Satan for his work against possession? Possession by a satanic serial killer?
4. The atmosphere of Georgetown, the Potomac, the university, police precincts, homes and hospitals? Attention to detail, a credible location? The echoes of the original - especially with the steps? The excerpts from the original?
5. George C. Scott as Kinderman: his strength and presence, investigating the murders, his reaction? His friendship with Father Karras, with Father Dyer, supporting him, going to the movie? The meal and their discussions about religion and life? God? Belief? Going to the hospital to see Dyer, taking the penguin, their flip dialogue? His response to Dyer's death? The continuing investigations of the murders, the intensity of his dream with the range of victims and his investigations? The confessional murder, Father Dyer's death? Meeting Dr Temple?, listening to his explanations? Nurse Allerton and her acerbic comments? His police assistants and his attack on their ineptitude? Atkins and his help? Discovering Karras, the interviews with him, his turning into the evil spirit, his listening to the Gemini killer and his explanations of what he had done? Knowing the secret information? Looking at the patients, the woman with the radio (and her crawling over the roof)? The catatonic nurse? His interviews, discovery of the truth, fearful for the attack on his daughter, the car chase, the attack of the nurse? His return to the hospital, Temple dead? The exorcism and Father Morning? The vision, the floor opening, Father Karras on the cross, the other victims? The Diabolical? Karras's request that he be shot? The attempts to shoot, the exorcist and the crucifix, his expression of belief in the evil of the world, shooting Karras? At the funeral? His personal life - relationship with his wife, love for his daughter, the attacks on his mother-in-law and the story of the carp?
6. The Jesuits in Georgetown, the university, the head of the university and his concern, the community, Father Dyer? at Mass, discussion with the server student, taking Kinderman to the pictures, It's a Wonderful Life, popcorn? The meal and their discussions? The discussions of the murders? Father Dyer in hospital, his illness, reading the magazines, his death? The headless statue? Father Morning, his experience of exorcism, failure, his prayer, decision to go to exorcise the patient, the prayers, the confrontation, his destruction, on the roof and the wall, his reaching out for the cross?
7. Father Karras, memories of the past, the possession story, the Gemini killer and his explanation of taking over Karras for revenge, his suffering when watching the murders, his plea to be shot?
8. The Gemini killer, the story of the murders, the characteristics, concealed by the police to catch out the lunatic fringe? Taking possession on Karras? Satan, the master? The murder of the boy, the priest, Father Dyer, the nurse? The verbal violence of his stories? The intensity of his presence, look? The story of the drugs, the cruelty of the murders? His death?
9. The hospital, Dr Temple and his psychology, relationship with the patients, being used, his death? Nurse Allerton, tough attitudes, confrontations? The nurse on night duty, her nervousness, her death? The patients - the lady with the radio, the catatonic nurse?
10. The police, the inefficient duo, their investigations, autopsies etc? Atkins and his efficiency?
11. The sketch of Kinderman's wife and her love, the daughter and her dancing, the mother-in-law and her nagging? The nurse going to the home, her collapse, being possessed by the Gemini killer, the attempt to harm Julie?
12. The special effects - the statues, the noises, the winds, the smoke? Editing for scares?
13. The emphasis on thriller overtones rather than on exorcism and religious overtones?
