The Exorcist (1973) (William Friedkin) 9/10

This film is astonishing. Why did I only just see it now? I must have had some kind of anti-horror prejudice. Stupid me.

Sure, its frightening, but in a worthy way… with no gore or cheap shocks. The Exorcist is so original, so compelling, so well made. [Spoilers follow]. I loved the voice Linda Blair took on when she was possessed by the demon, and the way her head did a 360 degree turn, and the upside-down Spider-Walk with blood vomiting. And some of the demon dialogue is genius: “Do you know what she did? Your cunting daughter?”

Sheer genius.