Audience Reaction to the Exorcist in 1973
http://spookscentral.com
The Exorcist changed the game for horror movies when it opened to record-breaking numbers back in 1973.
In a pre-Spielberg and Star Wars era, director William Friedkin’s adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s novel became a true cultural phenomenon, earning $440 million in 1973 money (more than $2 billion in adjusted currency).
I’ve located some film history that a youtube user has uploaded. The 2 recordings are a very interesting look at that time of history. People of that time were not desensitised as this generation is against violence and horror type films. They seemed a much more innocent population, and a more innocent time in history. People stood in long lines in all types of weather without complaint for their turn to watch this horror film.
People were sitting on the floor playing cards in the theater lobby as well in their wait. Its very interesting to watch the mindset of the people of that time.
In the months following, there was a noteable rise in church attendance.
The Cultural Impact of the Exorcist 1973
An amazing amount of people fainted, could not watch the entire film, and were lett shaking and even crying as they exited the theater. It is believed the reason the Exorcist was so scary was that the movie was based in reality, and people believe that demonic possession can and does occur. The people of 1973 appear to be a much more God-fearing people than those of today.
Audience Lines 1973 for the Exorcist
Follow us: https://twitter.com/spookscentral | SpooksCentral on Facebook
http://spookscentral.com
Source: http://www.spookscentral.com/featured/exorcism/379-audience-reaction-to-the-exorcist-in-1973.html
I was too young too go see the movie when it first came out but my sister did at a drive in. Their is the scene where the older priest turns too the younger priest and says something, ( I cant remember what it was ). My sister was in a car with 3 others and they all verified this. When the prist said something like, you must get out now!@!!!, my sister heard somethign different, and her friend said why did the priest say blah blah blah. In other words they all heard something different, . I suppose we could chock it off on coincidence, but with the speaker being so loud and everyone was wide awake and not drunk or high, well……. Weird things happened too many people who went their and saw it. Even when being filmed strange things happened which resulted in a few deaths. Prop lights would fall over and hit peopple , actors would hear voices , amongst other weird things yepp it was creepy, and gross, but it is a classic of course.