Skip to content

Exorcism | The macabre true story from the 1940s that inspired the movie “The Exorcist”

 
 

In pop culture, we have many works adapted into other types of media that end up being a real surprise to many people. Sometimes due to little publicity, like the
Quantum Break book
, which was even released in Portuguese, sometimes because they seem to be somewhat different from the style of the person doing the adaptation, such as
Decline of a Man
, which made Junji Ito tackle a realistic story. Yet there are times when this inspiration becomes even more surprising by being something surreal inspired by a real event. And in 1971, the world was shocked by the unsettling feelings caused by
book of “The Exorcist”
, which became more popular with the movie. However, this book was inspired by a real event!



✝️
BUY EXORCISM WITH DISCOUNT
✝️


An adblock blocks Amazon affiliate links like this one, so if it’s not showing up, just disable the adblock.
Nowadays we have a ton of exorcism movies coming out constantly. In the end, everyone knows this trend only took off because of “The Exorcist” movie, but it’s creepy to know that the source of the film was based on a quite bizarre true story that happened in the late 1940s and was so shocking that it ended up in the newspaper. And it was from this event that the idea for the movie originated.
In “Exorcism”, journalist Thomas B. Allen presents the result of an extremely thorough investigation into that sinister case of 1949. He conducted interviews with people connected to the case, used the detailed diary of the priest who performed the exorcism, and pursued diverse sources from which he could extract further information and answers.
The pages recount what happened to a 14-year-old boy whom the Catholic Church documented using the pseudonyms Robert Mannheim, Roland Doe, and Robbie Mannheim, to preserve the identity of the horror that occurred to the boy, becoming a well-known case referred to as the “Exorcism of Roland Doe.”
This boy had an aunt named Harriet, who gave him a Ouija board. The boy started playing with the board frequently, making it part of his daily routine. Since this was the 1940s, without the strong influence of horror movies to fuel imagination, he did so calmly, as if it were simply an unusual and fun activity, like saying, “I’m going to talk to a ghost.”
But after the aunt’s death, strange things start happening in the house. He hears footsteps near him every time he goes to sleep, lights turn on and off in the house, and a strong smell of feces spreads throughout the entire house. And it doesn’t take long for these occurrences to begin outside the house as well. At school, the boy’s chair moves forcefully enough for the teacher to take notice.
This causes the family to call a priest, and he thoroughly documents the events. Soon the boy starts behaving in a strange way. He speaks in a different voice and seems to be out of control. It’s not something exaggerated like spinning his head around, like in the movie, but something quite eerie with a person acting bizarrely.
The book is quite nice, with a super luxurious hardcover finish. Moreover, Dark Side Books decided to add a detail that will certainly leave many readers tempted, or simply nervous. As soon as you open the book, you come across a ouija board, just waiting for you to see if you dare play it—especially after seeing what happens to the boy.
So if you like horror, but also find interesting documented macabre events, you’ll certainly love this one. The strong connection to pop culture and the influence this story has had on horror works is truly something that makes it quite remarkable, and might make you want to see all the weird things that happened. Although it was released some time ago, there are still copies available. Check it out:


✝️
BUY EXORCISM WITH DISCOUNT
✝️


An adblock blocks Amazon affiliate links like this one, so if it’s not showing up, just disable the adblock.

Hey guys! Nerd Maldito has an updated affiliate link on Amazon every day with themed item lists that you’ll love! Have you checked it out today?
Check it out on the Amazon affiliate link!


About “The Exorcist”

Desde a sua estreia nos cinemas em 1973, “O Exorcista” tornou-se um marco no gênero de horror, deixando uma marca indelével na cultura popular. Baseado no romance de William Peter Blatty, o filme dirigido por William Friedkin mergulhou os espectadores em um mundo de horrores sobrenaturais e exorcismos aterrorizantes. Este artigo explora o universo expandido de O Exorcista, que vai além do filme original, abrangendo sequências, prequelas e adaptações, revelando os segredos obscuros e os mistérios do Mal.


The Exorcist (1973): A Horror Masterpiece

The original Exorcist is a horror narrative that follows the trajectory of the demonic possession of Regan MacNeil, a twelve-year-old girl. The film is known for its intense and disturbing scenes, especially those involving Father Merrin (played by Max von Sydow) and Father Karras (played by Jason Miller) performing the exorcism. The dark atmosphere, groundbreaking special effects for the time, and the memorable soundtrack contributed to the film’s lasting reputation.


Sequências e Derivações Cinematográficas

O sucesso de O Exorcista resultou em várias sequências cinematográficas, incluindo “O Exorcista II: O Herege” (1977), “O Exorcista III” (1990) e “O Exorcista: O Início” (2004). No entanto, nem todas foram bem-recebidas pela crítica e pelos fãs. A tentativa de expandir o universo muitas vezes resultou em desafios, com algumas produções afastando-se do terror psicológico do original.


The TV Series and the New Perspective

In 2016, a television adaptation titled “The Exorcist” premiered, presenting a modern take on the classic tale. The series explored new characters and storylines while remaining faithful to the spirit of the original material. By delving into the mythological aspects of the story, the series managed to captivate both longtime fans and a new generation of viewers.


The Literary Legacy

In addition to the movie, the universe of The Exorcist expanded through books. William Peter Blatty wrote a sequel, “Legion,” which served as the basis for “The Exorcist III.” The literary series was further expanded by other authors, exploring different aspects of Evil and the supernatural.


Cultural Impact and Influences

The Exorcist had a profound impact not only on horror cinema but also on popular culture as a whole. The use of religious elements, the struggle between Good and Evil, and the exploration of the human psyche set standards for many subsequent productions in the genre. References to The Exorcist are frequently found in films, television shows, and even parodies.

The universe of The Exorcist is vast and complex, evoking fear and fascination in equal measure. Since the release of the original film in 1973, the cultural impact of this horror masterpiece has continued to grow, expanding beyond cinema screens. Whether in movie sequels, television adaptations, or literature, The Exorcist continues to haunt the hearts and minds of those who dare to explore its dark supernatural universe.

About The Author

Exit mobile version