"You can't knock a good chimney scene."
EXORCISM is a good but not great film. Like so many of Franco's films EXORCISM is at once brilliant and amatuerish. Franco stars as a kinky priest who serves GOD by ridding the world of sinners with his "Sword of the Lord." Crimes of Passion anyone? His best moments are shared with his lover/partner Lina Romay. It's always interesting to watch the couple interact together especially during sadistic scenes. Towards the end of the commentary track Producer Kevin Collins asks Franco how many times he has been killed on film? A more interesting question is how many times has Jess Franco killed Lina Romay on film?
Despite it's strong scenes of violence EXORCISM is not a gory film. The bloodiest scenes involve the beheading of a pigeon and the removal of a woman's entrails. Franco claims (on the commentary track) that the pigeon is a special effect. I seriously doubt that what Franco says is true. The film budget was much too small to afford such a fine effect and the...
Quirky and weird!
If you have never seen a Jess Franco film, you are really missing something. (If you a "film-lover" who detests Franco, well to heck with you.)
"Exorcism" is quirky and weird, even by Franco's standards.
Franco's dual role as director and star give some extra punch to this work: Franco manages successfully (despite severely limited acting skills) to convey the pathetic and twisted character of a defrocked and homicidal priest who wreaks revenge on the participants of a "make-believe" Black Mass.
Lina Romay shines forth in all her sleazy glory.
The screenplay is sketchy , but this only adds to the enjoyment of the film.
Although there are rough patches here and there (including some faded color), the print as a whole stands up well and is more than merely presentable.
Along with extras, the DVD is quite an achievement. My thanks to the people at SYNAPSE for another great addition to their excellent series of strange movies.
'The Exorcist' - This Aint ! (and that's a good thing)
Whereas most films based on the concept of 'exorcsim' deal with some sort of demonic possession and attempts by 'the clergy' to rid the inflicted individual of 'the devilish' influence - Spanish exploitation master Jess Franco managed to turn the concept on its' head in his (1974) version titled: "Exorcism". Apparently, 'this one' was potentially 'so much fun' that Franco wanted to 'play' as well as 'direct' - so he personally took on the lead role of the 'de-frocked' murderous priest who is the main protagonist of the piece. For those who 'appreciate' Franco's, somewhat clunky, style of serving up sexploitational 'thrills' this flik REALLY delivers! The film has barely started to roll when the screen is filled with a massive close up of a totally nekkid Lina Romay chained to a x-frame cross as another naked girl whips her then 'sacrifices' her in a satanic ritual in front of a room full of eagerly watching people. 'Fortunately' (because it would be a shame to dismiss the lovely...
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