The Exorcist III (1990)

Director:

William Peter Blatty

Writers (WGA):

William Peter Blatty (novel)
William Peter Blatty (screenplay)

Release Date:

17 August 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Do you dare walk these steps again?

Plot:

A police lieutenant in Georgetown mourns the anniversary of a priest's death as a serial killer strikes.

Plot Keywords:

Killer | Serial Killer | Decapitation | Priest | Strait Jacket

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

George C. Scott	...	Kinderman
Ed Flanders	...	Father Dyer
Brad Dourif	...	The Gemini Killer
Jason Miller	...	Patient X
Nicol Williamson	...	Father Morning
Scott Wilson	...	Dr. Temple
Nancy Fish	...	Nurse Allerton
George DiCenzo	...	Stedman (as George Dicenzo)
Don Gordon	...	Ryan
Lee Richardson	...	University President
Grand L. Bush	...	Sergeant Atkins
Mary Jackson	...	Mrs. Clelia
Viveca Lindfors	...	Nurse X
Ken Lerner	...	Dr. Freedman
Tracy Thorne	...	Nurse Keating

Also Known As:

Exorcist 3 (Philippines: English title)
Exorcist III: Legion (USA) (working title)
The Exorcist 3 (USA) (alternative spelling)
The Exorcist III: Legion (USA) (trailer title)
William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist III (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Netherlands:16 | Brazil:16 | Australia:M | Canada:18A | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Ireland:18 | Norway:18 | Singapore:NC-16 | South Korea:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 (video re-rating) (2002) | UK:18 (original rating) | UK:18 (video rating) (1991) | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Georgetown University, Georgetown, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Company:

Morgan Creek Productions

Trivia:

Lines spoken by The Gemini Killer are used as the intro to a 'Children of Bodom' song, 'Taste of My Scythe'.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: The car chase completely mixes up the geography of Georgetown.

Quotes:

Patient X: Well, there I was so awfully dead in that electric chair. I didn't like it. Would you? It's upsetting. There was still so much killing to do, and there I was, in the void, without a body. But then along came - well - my friend. You know. One of them. Those others over there. The cruel ones...
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "E! True Hollywood Story: Curse of the Exorcist" (2004)

A Brainy Horror Movie... not for everyone

Most people go to horror movies for the emotional thrill, the gore and/or the adrenaline high of having things pop out and yell "boo!" Make no mistake: you won't find much of that here. So if you're looking for a movie that will make you spill your popcorn, move on.

But if you're looking for a true psychological thriller (psychological = appealing to the intellect, not the viscera), this will be one hell of a treat for you. The dialogue is fantastic. The acting is superb (Brad Dourif & George C. Scott on the same screen. What could be better?). The philosophy is provocative. And the mood is as thick as it gets. Much of the movie is composed of a series of dialogues between two people in a dark room. If you liked the second half of APOCALYPSE NOW, you will enjoy this immensely.

I rank this movie as one of my all time (English) faves with the likes of AMADEUS, 2001, Alfred Hitchcock's ROPE, PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, and CITIZEN KANE. I'm serious; it's that good. Unfortunately, it was marketed to the wrong audience, and that's why it received such low ratings. Let me repeat: this is not a spooky movie. It's actually a very intellectual story with a lot of big words, literary overtones and powerful acting, and it's one of the few movies which I consider superior to the book (but of course Blatty directed this, so I'd expect no less).

But don't get me wrong; it's anything but dull. There is one scene that will scare the living crap out of you! It's a long scene done with one still camera, no music, no sound, hardly any action... but egads it's probably the most suspenseful/frightening thing I've ever seen in any movie. In the style of the classic thrillers, so much is left to the imagination of the viewer--and there is PLENTY of disturbing, shocking imagery to imagine. In one conversation you'll hear about a murder so vile that you'll never want to hear the word "catheter" again. And the beauty is that you never see a thing. If this subtle style appeals to you, then you certainly won't be disappointed.

10/10. And I don't give 10s very often.