Exorcist II: The Heretic ► reececrothers.com

**Stellan** **Skarsgard** is the younger version of Father Merrin, and **Billy** **Crawford** is the boy possessed by the demon Pazuzu.

On this week’s episode of The Filmography podcast, Bjorn and I discuss Paul Schrader’s divisive 2005 prequel to William Friedkin’s 1973 horror classic, The Exorcist.

One of the greatest shots in cinema history (which also made for one of the all-time greatest film posters!) from **William** **Friedkin’s** 1973 original.

Listen to the podcast here:

The Filmography podcast is available on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes streaming every Friday.

Director **Paul** **Schrader** on location.

Considering that Schrader was taken off the picture in post-production, and replaced by Die Hard 2: Die Harder‘s Renny Harlin, who re-cast, re-shot, and retitled it, it’s a miracle that this version ever saw the light of day.

**Renny** **Harlin**, director of the re-shoot, re-titled **The Exorcist: The Beginning.**

Starring Stellan Skarsgard in the role originally made famous by the late, great Max Von Sydow, (and though my esteemed co-host may disagree with me) it’s worth the price of admission alone for the gorgeous cinematography by master of light, shadow, and (especially) colour, Vittorio Storaro (pictured with Schrader below).

**Paul** **Schrader** with legendary cinematographer **Vittorio** **Storaro**.

The least successful elements of the picture are those which are meant to tie the film into the “Exorcist” franchise. The exorcism sequence itself feels like an afterthought, but where the film succeeds on its own terms is in the very Schrader-esque exploration of a deep crisis of faith. After successfully exploring the humanity of the son of God in Martin Scorsese’s “The Last Temptation of Christ,” I was intrigued by the potential flip side of that coin. When not slipping into the silliness of its supernatural elements, “Dominion” asks some profound questions about the nature of faith in the presence of evil. If the devil exists, then surely God must also exist, right?

**Willem** **Dafoe** as Jesus, wearing his crown of thorns, in **Scorsese** & **Schrader’s** **“The** **Last** **Temptation** of **Christ”** (1988).

A still from **Dominion**‘s harrowing WW2 prologue, which serves as the core wound for Father Merrin’s crisis of faith.

Watch the trailer for “Dominion: Prequel To The Exorcist” here:

2005 trailer for “Dominion: Prequel To The Exorcist” on YouTube.

Watch the full movie here:

“Dominion: Prequel To The Exorcist” full movie on YouTube.

Watch the trailer for Scorsese & Schrader’s “The Last Temptation of Christ” here:

Trailer for Martin Scorsese’s “The Last Temptation of Christ,” written by Paul Schrader.

Watch the trailer for the 4K release of William Friedkin’s 1973 original “Exorcist” picture here:

Watch the trailer for Renny Harlin’s version, “The Exorcist: The Beginning” here:

2004 trailer for “The Exorcist: The Beginning” on YouTube.

Watch the full Renny Harlin version here:

Full movie (Renny Harlin version) on YouTube.

Watch Renny Harlin discussing his version, retitled “The Exorcist: The Beginning” here:

Renny Harlin talks The Exorcist: The Beginning.

Watch the trailer for the first sequel, John Boorman’s “The Exorcist II: The Heretic” here:

Trailer for Scream Factory’s Blu-ray release of The Exorcist II: The Heretic on YouTube, featuring a score by Ennio Morricone (expect future post on that).

Watch the trailer for William Peter Blatty’s “The Exorcist III” here:

Trailer for Scream Factory’s Blu-ray release of “The Exorcist III” on YouTube.

Watch the trailer for David Gordon Green’s “The Exorcist: Believer” here:

And while we’re at it, watch the trailer for Renny Harlin’s “Die Hard 2: Die Harder” here:

Die Hard 2: Die Harder trailer on YouTube.