Well, I couldn't miss the opportunity to see this horror classic in the cinema, or I'd have to wait another 25 years till the 50th anniversary. So I went along to the cinema, where it was playing in an original version (none of this remastered malarkey, I'll thank you very much). And suffice to say, I was impressed. Very impressed. In fact the film lived up to all expectations I had of it.

From the opening prologue set in Iraq, we know something's wrong. There's a sense of dread in the air as we all know what's coming. However, it takes a long time for the possession to actually occur, which may be surprising to some, but it instead concentrates on characterisation, which is a strength and makes THE EXORCIST stand out from other run-of-the-mill stalk and slash affairs. Jason Miller's character is the most thoroughly explored, and all of the normal everyday situations shown simply make the demonic events even more horrific when they occur. The Tubular Bells music is great too, and brings chills with it.

Once they occur, they do not disappoint. Regan's actions are still suitably graphic, even by today's standards (the crucifix scene for example). However her obscenities tended to provoke laughter rather than fear, such language is sadly common in this day and age. Things build to the great climax and, I feel, one of the greatest moments in cinema, that is when Karras confronts the evil. Excellent.

The special effects still stand up, despite being a bit creaky. Still, they're much better than the CGI nonsense used by blockbusters today. THE EXORCIST remains a remarkably intelligent exercise in horror, and everybody has to see it to see what all the hype is about. While I wasn't scared by the film, it did actually make me feel quite sick and disturbed, so perhaps there was something really evil about it after all. Then again it's only a movie, so we can but wonder. THE EXORCIST is a great film, not easy or enjoyable viewing but extremely horrific and effective. See it and see what everyone's talking about.

The horror genre is a genre that has been growing on me overtime, and I genuinely believe The Exorcist is a landmark of it. Not just how much it's talked about or parodied, but also its ability to unnerve and unsettle me even years later. The Exorcist is a fantastic film, both as a film of its genre and of film full-stop. The effects are superb and have held up very well, and the sound is marvellous and adds to the many startling moments. The cinematography and scenery are also incredibly well done. The macabre, obscene demonstrations of manifest evil on display still startle even now, while William Friedkin's direction is one of his best and most intelligent of his career, not just making the scares genuine but also combining these with allegorical religious subtleties. The performances also lift, Linda Blair is really quite startling, and you couldn't have had more perfect support from Max Von Sydow and Ellen Burstyn. Overall, genuinely unsettling and effective. 10/10 Bethany Cox