The director and cast of the 1973 film " The Exorcist" (L-R) director William Friedkin, Ellen Burstyn, author of " The Exorcist" William Peter Blatty and Linda Blair
The director and cast of the 1973 film " The Exorcist" (L-R) director William Friedkin, Ellen Burstyn, author of " The Exorcist" William Peter Blatty and Linda Blair arrive for a special screening September 21, 2000 in Los Angeles as the classic film is re-released with additional footage and remastered sound. Reuters

“The Exorcist” was not meant to be a horror film. That’s what movie director William Friedkin recently revealed, more than a decade after the 1973 flick became the talk of nightmares. Friedkin admitted he had meant to create a movie about faith.

The Hollywood Reporter (THR) caught up with Friedkin just in time before Halloween to talk about “The Exorcist.” During the interview, the director admitted that while the movie became one of the scariest films of all time, he was really aiming to show a different story.

“I thought it was a film about the mystery of faith ... but I didn't set out to make a horror film," Friedkin told THR.

But over the years, after watching the film himself, Friedkin have come to accept that it is now regarded as a horror film by many.

On the outside, “The Exorcist” presents a horrific story of a girl (Linda Blair) being possessed by a demon. The film was given an R rating for its mix of disturbing images including those of a girl puking vomit and hurling foul words. However, despite these violent scenes, the underlying meaning of the story according to Friedkin , remains that of Christian faith.

Cinema Blend added that the theme of faith is represented between the characters of both priests, Father Merrin (Max von Sydow) and Father Karras (Jason Miller). Merrin is a true believer of the existence of God, whereas Karras has his doubts.

“Life is such a gift and and (sic) yet a mystery, and I don't think we make movies about that stuff anymore and that is what ‘The Exorcist’ is about," Friedkin told the Hollywood Reporter.

In the same interview with the Hollywood Reporter, the 80-year old also talked about the impression he wanted the audience to feel from watching “The Exorcist.” He didn't want viewers to think of the film as being merely interesting. Friedkin said he wanted the film to have a visceral effect.

“The Exorcist is special to me because it did have that impact and I think it continues to, to a great extent,” Friedkin said.

Watch "The Exorcist" - Original Theatrical Trailer here:

Source: YouTube/Warner Bros.

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