Facts and Information

Facts

Dana Plato was offered the role of Regan MacNeil.

Mercedes McCambridge had to sue Warner Brothers for credit as the voice of the demon.

There are semi-subliminal single-frame shots in this film: when the priest is dreaming of his mother coming up out of the subway, there is a single frame shot of a face (Eileen Dietz), painted black and white, grimacing. There are two other places where this image is supposedly displayed: when Regan, lying on the bed, turns to look at Father Merrin and Father Karras, and just after the head-turning scene.

Elieen Dietz was a stunt double for Regan, doing such scenes as hitting the doctor, vomiting, and the crusifix scene,

Jane Fonda and Shirley MacLaine were approached to play the role of Chris MacNeil.

Lalo Schifrin's score was rejected.

William Peter Blatty plays a cameo role as producer of the film that Chris is acting in; he's seen talking to Burke.

Bloopers

Continuity: The cigarette that Chris stomps out in the park is back in her hand a moment later.

Continuity: Position of the planchette on the Ouija board.

Business Information

Budget $12m (USA)

Gross £6.746m (UK) (22 November 1998)

SEK 7,500,000 (Sweden)

Admissions 601,000 (Sweden)

$165m (USA)

Rentals $89m (USA)

Shooting Dates 14 August 1972 - ?

Release Dates

UK 30 October 1998 (re-release) (25th Anniversary)

Scotland 19 June 1998(re-release)

West Germany 20 September 1974

Sweden 29 July 1974

USA 26 December 1973

Awards

1974 Oscars, won:

Best Sound, Robert Knudson, Christopher Newman

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium, William Peter Blatty

1974 Oscars, nominated:

Best Actress, Ellen Burstyn

Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Bill Malley, Jerry Wunderlich

Best Cinematography, Owen Roizman

Best Director, William Friedkin

Best Film Editing, Norman Gay, Jordan Leondopoulos, Evan A. Lottman, Bud Smith

Best Picture, William Peter Blatty

Best Supporting Actor, Jason Miller

Best Supporting Actress, Linda Blair

1974 Golden Globes, won:

Best Director, William Friedkin

Best Motion Picture, Drama

Best Screenplay - Motion Picture, William Peter Blatty

Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture, Linda Blair

1974 Golden Globes, nominated:

Best Motion Picture Actress - Drama, Ellen Burstyn

Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture, Max von Sydow

Most Promising Newcomer - Female, Linda Blair

Technical Information

Camera: Panavision Cameras and Lenses

Film length: 3350 m

Film negative format: 35 mm

Cinematographic process: Spherical Printed film format 35 mm 70 mm

Aspect ratio: 1.37 : 1 (Ratio OFM) 1.85 : 1 (Theatrical ratio)

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