Exorcist and Friends
When The Exorcist hit theatres on Boxing Day 1973, it became such a massive sensation that it’s almost hard to fathom. Audiences were lining up around the block, eager to get scared shitless – it was horror’s cinematic homecoming. It quickly became one of the highest-grossing films of all time, which, of course, led the Italians to jump on the bandwagon. As with their other genre knock-offs, when a skilled director took the reins, the results could be surprisingly compelling.
So, get that pea soup ready, strap in, and get ready for a head-spinning good time.
Links take you to the IMDd. Circled titles: A Point Blank Films fav!
Abby (1974) 6/10
William Girdler’s blaxploitation Exorcist rip-off got into trouble with Warner Bros. who had no time for this hilarious, enjoyable and totally outrageous horror.
One of the best Exorcist rip-offs, with shocking scenes, silly FX, and outstanding Ennio Morricone-Bruno Nicolai score. aka The Tempter
Juliet Mills goes to town in this excellent and serious-minded Exorcist clone close enough to the original – complete with projectile vomiting and twisting heads – to get a Warner Bros. lawsuit.
An old witch seeks vengeance in Amando de Ossorio’s fairly entertaining Spanish Exorcist rip-off with bad make-up, lots of expletives, and one or two creepy moments. aka The Possessed
Known under many different titles, this tale of a statue of Jesus come to life is blasphemous, sleazy and undeniably fun, pulling out all the stops. aka The Eerie Midnight Horror Show; The Sexorcist
Exorcism (1975) 3/10
Jesús Franco plays a madman conducting a private inquisition in trash typical of its director, entirely focussed on sex and sadomasochism; re-packaged twice, including a version for French porn theatres. aka Chains and Black Leather; Demoniac; Exorcism and Black Masses; The Ripper of Notre Dame
Exorcism (1975) 6/10
Paul Naschy claimed he wrote this film before The Exorcist came out, but it’s still an entertaining rip-off, with fun make-up and FX, plenty of female nudity, and Naschy looking good in a priest’s cassock. aka Exorcismo; The Nights of Satan See also Paul Naschy
The Exorcist (1973) 10/10
This movie cast a large, dark shadow over the horror genre, and is a frightening, shocking, and effective roller coaster ride that also explores metaphysical themes, still packing a wallop today.
Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) 2/10
A sequel that did practically everything wrong – with John Boorman trying to take it in a more metaphysical direction – but its greatest sin is that it’s not scary; good Ennio Morricone score though.
A character from the original film investigates a series of murders in Georgetown, leading to an ambitious sequel which while talky has terrifying moments, with Brad Dourif fantastic as always.
The House of Exorcism (1975) 4/10
Re-edited version of Lisa and the Devil, with new footage, and everyone in on the fun, including Elke Sommer spitting expletives and lots of slime; a travesty, but a hell of a lot of fun.
Lisa and the Devil (1973) 6/10
Arty Mario Bava horror with dreamlike imagery and ambiguous plot, not well received despite impressive elements, which led to it being re-edited as The House of Exorcism.
Lorna the Exorcist (1974) 3/10
Dreary and very sleazy Jesús Franco romp with endless sex, lesbianism, perversity, and crabs. aka Those Possessed by the Devil
Magdalena, Possessed by the Devil (1974) 4/10
Highly sleazy German Exorcist rip-off from the director of the Schoolgirl Report movies – crude and very rude, with jaw-dropping moments. aka The Devil’s Female
Malabimba - The Malicious Whore (1979) 5/10
This movie puts the trash in Eurotrash – ostensibly about a girl who starts to show signs of demonic possession, it squarely focusses on sex and features hardcore inserts; one for the raincoat crowd. aka Lucifer’s Lolita; Malabimba; The Malicious Whore See also Nunsploitation
Massimo Dallamano’s Exorcist/Omen rip-off has a good script, characters, direction and Stelvio Cipriani score, and though it takes a while to get going, makes for a devilishly good time. aka The Cursed Medallion; Together Forever
Nurse Sherri (1978) 3/10
A buxom nurse gets possessed and starts killing her hospital’s patients in cheap and inept Al Adamson flick with particularly awful FX; an alternate version spices things up with plenty of nudity. aka Black Voodoo; The Possession of Nurse Sherri
Ruby (1977) 6/10
Former gangster moll Piper Laurie deals with her run-down Florida drive-in and disturbed daughter but this film is too talky and doesn’t get to the Exorcist trappings until near the end.
Sharon’s Baby (1975) 5/10
Joan Collins gives birth to a devil child in trashy British horror that is occasionally creepy (when it’s not being silly) and mostly underrated despite some miscasting. aka The Devil within Her; I Don’t Want to Be Born; The Monster