"The Exorcist": The main differences between the 1973 classic and the book that inspired the film

Since it was announced, "The Exorcist: The Devout" has generated much anticipation, especially after the release of trailers and comments from professionals involved in the production. The film is directed by David Gordon Green (known for "Halloween Kills" and "Halloween Ends") and tells the story of two girls, Angela (Lidya Jewett) and Katherine (Olivia O'Neill), who disappear in a forest and return three days later with no memories and accompanied by a strong evil presence.

The movie is a sequel to the 1973 classic and features the return of actress Ellen Burstyn, reprising her role as Chris MacNeil, mother of Regan (Linda Blair).

As we approach the film's release, set to debut in Brazil on October 11th, it's the perfect time to delve deeper into this story that has terrified the world for over five decades. A great way to do this is to understand the key differences between "The Exorcist" from 1973 and the book that inspired the film, published two years earlier.

It's worth noting right from the start that William Peter Blatty, the author of the novel, was also responsible for adapting the screenplay. His work was so effective that it won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay the following year.

The fact that both the book and screenplay were penned by the same individual doesn't mean the two are identical. There are several differences, particularly concerning character development and the dynamics of their relationships.

For instance, in the book, Regan has a stronger bond with her father, deeply affected by his absence. In the film, the situation is less intense, and Chris's ex-husband is seldom mentioned.

Regarding the protagonist, another noteworthy change in the literary work is that the author leads readers to doubt, inserting red herrings suggesting physical and psychological problems rather than possession. In the movie directed by William Friedkin, this suspicion is mainly confined to the doctors, as viewers know from the start that it's a supernatural event.

Friendships and Discrepancies

The book also highlights a strong friendship between Father Damien Karras (played by Jason Miller in the film) and Lieutenant William Kinderman (Lee J. Cobb). This bond is portrayed as much more superficial in the cinematic adaptation.

Another stark difference is in the novel's depiction of conflicts between Chris and her assistant Sharon (portrayed by Kitty Winn in the film). While Chris is an atheist and avoids discussing religious topics with Regan, Sharon does so covertly, which bothers Chris and leads to arguments. In the book, Sharon's role is more significant, even taking part in the exorcism ritual.

Speaking of exorcism, the book spends considerable time explaining the investigations required for the Vatican to approve the ritual, a topic briefly touched upon in the film.

Lastly, although "The Exorcist" caused significant discomfort upon its release, mainly due to scenes deemed heretical, the book contains even more. This is because the demon aims to humiliate Regan and Chris publicly, forcing the girl into shocking sexual scenes and committing even graver blasphemies.

A Fresh Perspective

Far from diminishing the film's quality, the changes in the screenplay were conscious decisions by William Peter Blatty and William Friedkin, offering a fresh perspective on certain aspects of the original story.

Now, with the release of "The Exorcist: The Devout," the hope is that the legacy of the greatest horror film in history continues through a production of equal caliber, unlike the sequels made previously, especially the infamous "The Exorcist 2 – The Heretic" from 1977.