The Exorcist III
Directed by William Peter Blatty
A cop (George C. Scott) investigates brutal murders similar to ones committed by a long-dead serial killer. But the decapitations and crucifixions couldn’t be the work of the “Gemini Killer” - or could they? After his priest is butchered in a hospital, Lt. Kinderman traces the clues to the psych ward, where a patient claims to be Damian Karras (Jason Miller), the priest who died during the final moments in THE EXORCIST. William Peter Blatty’s complex adaptation of his sequel novel, “Legion”, contains a hallway scare scene that belongs in the horror history books.
A cop investigates brutal murders similar to ones committed by a long-dead serial killer.
Cast: George C Scott, Ed Flanders, Brad Dourif, Jason Miller
Member Reviews
Nothing short of a pacing masterpiece. I fully prefer this over the original, simply because it has more interesting points to make and George C. Scott is utterly delightful as the grumpiest man who ever lived.
I had the same experience as @jeremy below. Saw it when it was first released and revisited it 30+ years later last night. When i first watched it long ago, i missed all of it’s capabilities. I don’t think the writing is bad. Blatty’s writing is steeped in the traditions of playwriting. So the first half of the film reads like a stage play. The writing is crisp and blocked. However the second half falls apart a bit, things become less clear and forced. That being said, i am more impressed with Blatty as a director. He gives everyone space, and Scott kills it. There are also very sublte creepy cuts and segways that work. It was a very interesting movie and i was glad to come back to it. Worth the watch.
So just watched this for the second time, first time was on vhs when it came out originally and I saw it before I Fully watched the original, I have to say this was a really bad script saved by great acting and good directing. The number of hoops they have to jump through and exposition dumps to explain the story and connections to the original are mind boggling, this should be an awful movie, but it works because the director gives the actors time to work in their scenes, and they are great actors. Also they have some well crafted scares.
(Hospital scene) where the Gemini K-ller comes walking fast behind the Nurse, with the Sheers.... that scene has stayed with me for 24 years. Priceless
The best of the series!