MovieChat Forums > The Exorcist (1973) Discussion > Jewish director

Jewish director

posted 9 months ago by Boromir (9712)
30 replies | jump to latest

I didn't know that William Friedkin, the director of the movie, is a Jewish (in both sides), until he died not so long time ago. I find it intriguing that a Jewish individual directed a Christian exorcism film. In an interview, he mentioned, "I'm a Jew, and that's it. In my heart, I believe completely in the Ten Commandments, but I also believe we are all imperfect and at times we just can't cut it." This is the sole quote I've come across where he discusses his Jewish background. It seems he didn't view his religious identity as a central aspect of his personality, possibly explaining why he chose to direct a film on this topic. a Christian directing a "Jewish film" isn't as problematic for him or her due to Christianity's roots in Judaism and not the other way around.

Personally, I wouldn't have taken on this film. It's not about any opposition to Christianity; rather, it's about the challenge of directing something that conflicts with your own religious beliefs. Additionally, I doubt I could perform at my professional best under such circumstances.

This nugget of information is merely intriguing to me and isn't meant to criticize his decision to direct the film. It's clear that he accomplished an impressive job in his directorial role.

[–] [deleted] 9 months ago

A bit of a non-issue, in other words.

[–] [deleted] 9 months ago

In interviews, Friedkin sounded like he might be a skeptic about religion, or at least he wasn't all that devout.

The writer, William Peter Blatty, was devoutly Catholic, and that comes through in every second of the movie.

Friedkin did an incredible job of fully committing to Blatty's vision, despite not sharing his beliefs.

[–] Boromir (9712) 9 months ago

Good point.

Do you believe Friedkin could replace Blatty as a writer of this movie? I believe the answer is 'no'. In my opinion, it was easier for him to work as the director of the film than to be the screenwriter of the movie. There is something less intimate about directing than writing.

[–] [deleted] 9 months ago

Definitely not. Only a true believer like Blatty could have written the movie and novel.

[–] EdwardHaskell (122) 9 months ago

Apparently exorcism is not just a Catholic belief.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exorcism#Judaism

[–] Boromir (9712) 9 months ago

True, but in the movie it's priest who do the exorcism and used the "new testament" and Christians practices.

[–] EdwardHaskell (122) 9 months ago

I see what you mean but you say, "..rather, it's about the challenge of directing something that conflicts with your own religious beliefs."

If possession/exorcism are also a Jewish belief I'm not sure what the conflict is. Where is it carved in rock that a Jew can't direct actors who are portraying Catholics?

Also, "...or at least he wasn't all that devout."

If that was the case, why should he care one way or the other?

[–] Boromir (9712) 9 months ago

In both religions, it is customary to engage in prayer within a sacred structure; however, the manner and content of their prayers differ. Within the movie, the priest effectively expels a demon through Christian prayer, and this is where the conflict arises. It becomes more intricate for a Jewish director due to the plot's affirmation of the potency of Christian scriptures.

Where is it carved in rock that a Jew can't direct actors who are portraying Catholics?

I really didn't said that.

Also, "...or at least he wasn't all that devout."

If that was the case, why should he care one way or the other?

I mentioned that it's intriguing to observe a Jewish director engaged in such a movie. In conjunction with you all, I'm attempting to fathom why this specific individual found it less challenging. I concur that his religious skepticism likely assisted him in reconciling any contradiction between his personal identity and the movie's plot. Despite everything, I claim that even for an non-believer it is not easy. The Jewish in America, in the world, are a minority, it's make many of them with pangs of conscience about them moving away from their tradition.

[–] Lord Rake (3841) 9 months ago

It wouldn't be so hard for him considering the legwork was done by the writer and his job was to get the visual and human side of the story out. Like directing a superhero movie, no director actually believes the actors have powers.

[–] Kowalski (59486) 9 months ago

ZACK SNYDER DOES.

[–] Boromir (9712) 9 months ago

You and Haslet said something similar about the division of work between the writer and director and I am agree with both of you. It's really good point.

I am less inclined to agree with your example, as its impact is not quite on par with that of superhero movies. It doesn't present the same level of challenge to an individual's identity, heritage, and culture. The director likely views himself as a professional, tasked with delivering a specific product regardless of its content, and he does so to the best of his abilities. However, directors possess considerably more freedom when it comes to choosing the projects they wish to undertake.

[–] Annkat (188) 7 months ago

Friedkin degraded the film in two very important key points.

1) All the actors who speak of exorcism make the freemason penalty sign. This means they won't reveal knowledge.

2) Friedkin had both priests fail. Regan was only freed when Karras invited the demon into himself. Basically it is implying that the name of Jesus Christ has no power. Which is a LIE.

That is how the director destroyed the intent of Blatty.

In regards to Blatty. He was complicit and allowed this degradation despite words to the contrary. Or he was an ignorant fool.

[–] Martoto (4284) 7 months ago

1) What?

2) Nonsense. It's the same outcome in the book as in the movie. The power of Karras and Merrin's belief in Jesus Christ got the demon out of Reagan. They both died martyrs.

[–] Annkat (188) 7 months ago

Public figures constantly perform hand signs to communicate covertly. Since you don’t know the signs it’s pointless to discuss.

No, both failed. Merrin died in weakness. Karras took the demon in and then committed suicide. It indicates to me the writer was a stooge too.

There is no struggle or big show in scripture regarding exorcism. The simple use of Jesus Christ’s name is enough. The Bible even shows a non follower of Christ using his name to exorcise.

The movies make it arcane and confusing when it isn’t.

[–] Martoto (4284) 7 months ago

It's just you that's confused. Or just being perverse

You first claimed Batty's intent was destroyed. Now you're blaming Batty (maybe you actually looked into the background of the movie and the book and are realizing you'll get caught out of you continue making shit up)

Merrin and Karras died expressing their faith as martyrs. And Reagan was released. Who cares if it didn't come about directly from the ritual of exorcism?

[–] Annkat (188) 7 months ago

Martyrs don’t invite demons into themselves and then commit suicide. Suicide is a mortal sin. Karass shouldn’t have been given extreme unction. He displayed lack of faith in God and then insulted him. The devil won in this film. The girl wasn’t the goal.

[–] Martoto (4284) 7 months ago

Didn't commit suicide.

[–] Annkat (188) 7 months ago

He did. The film shows him being possessed, yelling no and then throwing himself out the window.

[–] Martoto (4284) 7 months ago

Just because he died doesn't mean he committed suicide. The martyrs, even Jesus of Nazareth, refused to deny their faith even though they knew it would cost their lives? Did they commit suicide? We don't even know if Father Karras knew or thought it would kill him. It was just the quickest way out of there.

[–] Annkat (188) 6 months ago

The martyrs way would have been to live with the possession and prove devotion to the Holy Trinity. It is what Saints endured for centuries. They did not commit suicide. This character did and therefore has committed a mortal sin.

[–] Druff (1469) 7 months ago

> All the actors who speak of exorcism make the freemason penalty sign.

> Since you don’t know the signs it’s pointless to discuss.

Especially since you made zero attempt to provide examples or even describe these hand signs.

[–] Annkat (188) 7 months ago

You’ve already dismissed it. Why waste time explaining it?

If you really wanted to know you would have already researched it. It’s out there, plain as day. These people don’t lie, they just obfuscate.

[–] Druff (1469) 7 months ago

I didn't dismiss it, and I did try to find what you were talking about. If it's out there, it's not "plain as day" by any reasonable use of that phrase. That's why I came back and commented on the lameness of you making what should be an easily verifiable claim and then doing literally zero to support it in any way.

[–] Annkat (188) 7 months ago

I found the information with no one’s help. So if you cannot find it, you were not looking or didn’t search enough. It’s up to you to learn and then keep going.

[–] Druff (1469) 7 months ago

You're full of shit. If what you were saying was true and the proof was so easy to find, you wouldn't be able to post it here fast enough to prove me wrong just to show everyone how much smarter you are than me.

EDIT 3 days later: Yeah, that's what I thought. Loser.

[–] Annkat (188) 6 months ago

Many more days later and you still haven't bothered to look.

It's out there. I'm not going to help you. No one helped me and I still found it. If you haven't, you don't care at all.

[–] Druff (1469) 6 months ago

lol XD

Lying, trolling sack of shit.

[–] ccr1633 (1430) 7 months ago

Friedkin was well-known to be agnostic. He didn't practice or avow faith to any religion.

[–] ecarle (14979) 7 months ago

As with the movie of The Godfather a lot of bigger name directors ...at the time...turned The Exorcist down. But in the spring of 1972...as The Exorcist was being prepared for production, Friedkin won the Best Director oscar for The French Connection, which also won Picture and Actor. Friedkin was now hot enough to hire and willing to take the job. I doubt his beliefs had much to do with it...

[–] ccr1633 (1430) 7 months ago

Blatty himself approached Friedkin to direct The Exorcist, I believe. He had great respect for him even before The French Connection because years earlier Friedkin, not knowing Blatty was in the room, said that a script of Blatty's for the Peter Gunn TV show was a piece of shit. If I remember correctly, Friedkin was being considered to direct the episode using that script and he rejected the chance, and this at a time when he was trying to establish himself. Blatty secretly agreed with his assessment and admired Friedkin's guts and uncompromising honesty.