On DVD: Exorcism

Directed By Juan Bosch

Starring Paul Naschy, Grace Mills, Maria Perschy

BCI/Eclipse has released the 1975 Spanish horror film Exorcism (Exorcismo). It is impossible to talk about this film without comparing it to Friedkin’s The Exorcist (1973) or discussing the career of Paul Naschy, so why bother trying?

The Movie

Let’s get the comparisons out of the way, shall we?

Affluent family. Young girl possessed by a demon. A priest who doesn’t believe in demon possession. A detective investigating strange murders. Bodies with

their heads twisted around. Floating beds. Strange voices.

These elements exist in both the world-famous Friedkin film and this version written by multi-talented writer-director-actor Paul Naschy (under the pseudonym of Jacinto Molina). The similarities in the plot are obvious, and based on the success of the American novel and movie, probably intentional. However, this is not merely the Spanish version of that film, and there are differences in the plot to make this a story

all its’ own. The involvement of a Satanic cult, the meddlesome brother, the mysterious chauffeur, the wealthy dysfunctional family and the doubts about whether the invading entity is a demon or a ghost make this more than a copy of Blatty’s story, but doesn’t

make it interesting.

Allegedly written before the American film was released, the film begins drastically different as a not so innocent rich teen Leila (Grace Mills) and her fiancé are at the beach drinking, taking drugs, watching a Black Mass/orgy and basically doing all sorts of things that are ‘of the devil’. On the way home, too much sex, booze and Satan causes her to lose control of the car and they drive over a cliff. Both are thrown clear, but Patricia tries to strangle him before passing out, although it looked more like she was just trying to tear off his beard. From this point on, evil slowly takes hold as we are subjected to corpses, naked demon-worship and (Gasp! Horrors!) a young hip chick being demonically rude. The whole privileged family should thank their wealthy stars that their family priest, Father Adrian Dunning (Paul Naschy), happens to be an expert in demonology. Lucky

them.

Although we do have one good seizure and a couple of dead bodies discovered, the film drags along for about an hour with little to interest us. We are supposed to be terrified by Leila’s Satanic surliness and screaming that looked less like the Antichrist that a

typical Lindsay Lohan weekend. There is some discussion of the dichotomy of good and evil and whether she’s cursed or just crazy. We even have a brief discourse on streaking (remember: this is the 70s) between the detective and the priest. However, other than a few hissy fits from Leila and everyone else worrying about her, nothing really happens here.

Only at the last 15 minutes, with the final confrontation between the evil spirit and the priest, does anything occur to grab our attention. The demon-girl has the creepiest eyes I have ever seen in a movie, but waiting over an hour to see them doesn’t make the movie worthwhile.

OK, one thing happens. Leila disappears and her sister thinks she’s in an abandoned castle. Sis and Father Dunning show up to find another naked Satanic Rite, complete with male go-go dancers in Zorro masks. The priest is attacked, police show up out of nowhere to save the day, and everyone runs away leaving Dunning and Sis with the unconscious Leila. Leila awakens and (Shock! Terror!), she’s rude to them.

Paul Naschy, who has been called the Lon Chaney of Spanish Cinema, makes a rare appearance here as one of the good guys. More famous for his roles as vampires,

mad scientists and, in at least 10 films, a werewolf, here he plays the calm and kindly Father Adrian Dunning. No Aficionado of European Horror can consider his or her repertoire of viewed pleasures complete without seeing some of Paul Naschy’s best films.

Although he does a great job here as the doubting yet heroic Father Dunning, this is not one of those films. Viewers should track down one of his Werewolf Waldemar Daninsky films to see him at his best.

5/10

The Video

The case mentions this film is refurbished from the original and the quality is surprisingly good for a 40-year-old Spanish horror movie. When appropriate, the colors are bright and crisp and there was no fuzziness or softness often associated with an older print. I did notice an occasional line going through the subtitles but was never hindered from reading them.

8/10

The Audio

Both the Spanish and English audio was clear and balanced, although I didn’t watch the film in Spanish in it’ entirety. The English version didn’t always match subtitles in insignificant ways. The most amusing was when the characters were singing Happy Birthday while the subtitles gave us For She’s A Jolly Good Fellow.

7/10

The Packaging and Bonus Features

The standard amaray case has a great shot of Demon Girl at her worst on the cover. The insert contains a great essay about the history of the film as well as the influence of the Friedkin/Blatty version on it.

The film has a brief introduction by Naschy. If you have subtitles but no sound, there is nothing wrong with your television. There is no sound on the English track for the introduction. There are also the typical trailer and stills, and the ‘clothed’ version of all

the nude scenes in the film which minimizes the nudity but does not diminish it completely. There is also a half-hour interview w/ Naschy which is also subtitled.

6/10

View this film if you want a sample of Spanish Horror films, but not if you are looking for the best Spain or Naschy has to offer.

Overall (Not an Average) 6/10

The Movie 5/10

The Video 8/10

The Audio 7/10

The Packaging and Bonus Features 6/10

Overall (Not an Average) 6/10

-Fred Grimm