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Based on William Peter Blatty’s 1971 novel, The Exorcist is a horror movie released on December 26, 1973. It was directed by William Friedkin, considered by some one of Hollywood’s most demanding directors. This classic, supernatural flick preludes four additional films in The Exorcist franchise, following the demonic possession of 12-year-old Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair). Ellen Burstyn played Chris MacNeil, Regan’s mother, who sought exorcism through the Catholic church to save her daughter.

The Exorcist became one of Burstyn’s “breakthrough” films, despite appearing in many Broadway productions, TV shows, and films starting in 1955. However, it came at a cost, with Burstyn admitting that Friedkin knew he was placing her in physical danger. 

You can see the moment Ellen Burstyn gets injured in ‘The Exorcist’

ellen burstyn exorcist
Ellen Burstyn in ‘The Exorcist’ | FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty Images

According to IMDb Movie Trivia, “the actors reveal that in many shots it was not necessary to ‘act,’ as what was captured on film were genuine reactions.” For example, Burstyn said that her facial reaction and scream after being slapped by Regan were genuine. This was due to her being yanked too abruptly by a harness she was connected to.

During the scene where Burstyn hurt her back, Friedkin cut the shoot and asked for a second take. “Billy said, ‘Well, it has to look real,'” Burstyn said in the documentary The Fear of God (via Yahoo!). “I said, ‘I understand, but I’m telling you I could get hurt. And the stuntman was standing there listening to this and Billy said to him, ‘OK, don’t pull her so hard.’ But as I turned away, I felt them exchange a look.”

Burstyn was injured in that take, the one eventually used in the film. But they kept filming. “I was so furious and said, ‘Turn the effin’ camera off!’ Because I couldn’t stand that he was willing to just get a quick shot of it before they called the ambulance.”

Was the set of ‘The Exorcist’ cursed?

Few horror films terrify people like The Exorcist. Adding to its spookiness, this movie was plagued with mishaps and injuries that have led many to conclude the film is cursed. From the start, everything went wrong. Examples include a fire that broke out after hours and the deaths of at least four people linked to the film, according to The Sun.

When other weird things like key props came up missing during crucial scenes, Friedkin asked a Jesuit priest to exorcise the set. And viewers had a very strong reaction to the film. Some who saw The Exorcist were so upset with the movie they chased Blair down the street. And that’s not all that happened to Blair.

Linda Blair also hurt her back

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‘The Exorcist’: What Linda Blair Hated About the Reaction to the Film

Burstyn wasn’t the only one who sustained a back injury on set. Blair also hurt herself while filming The Exorcist. According to SlashFilm, the then-teenager “was haphazardly strapped to a mechanically rigged bed for one of the film’s terrifying possession scenes.” This resulted in a spinal fracture. 

Adding insult to actual injury, Blair confirmed she wasn’t invited back for the upcoming reboot of the franchise. However, Burstyn has suggested she’s a part of the franchise. She even said she’d already filmed all of her scenes for it. 

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