MovieChat Forums > Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) Discussion > Richard Burton and the Roman Ritual

Richard Burton and the Roman Ritual

posted 7 years ago by Edward_de_Vere
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In Exorcist III, the only real saving grace of the tacked-on and out of place exorcism scene at the end was getting to hear Nicol Williamson recite the Roman Ritual.

I felt short-changed by the fact that we don't get to hear Richard Burton doing the same in EII. With his famous voice and gift for "literary" recitation, it would have been one of the few bright spots in this film and an offset to the fact that he otherwise phoned in the rest of his performance (to put it generously).

[–] AFriendOfMrWhite 7 years ago

Both Max von Sydow and Nicol Williamson delivered their lines really well while doing the rite of exorcism. Burton, on the other hand, was so uninterested in this entire deal that I can't imagine him giving a convincing delivery of the powerful I cast you out, unclean spirit!.

Besides, he only performs one exorcism in the film, right at the beginning, unless ripping the heart out of a doppelganger Regan is also sanctioned by the Catholic Church. Things quickly went haywire in that exorcism, I doubt he'd have the time to read the famous lines from the ritual.

[–] Edward_de_Vere 7 years ago

Right, in order to accommodate the Roman Ritual, they would have to have extended the botched exorcism in the opening scenes. Usually Burton's acting was only as good as his interest in the material and motivation, perhaps reading the Roman Ritual would have sufficiently inspired him to take him out of his hangover for a few minutes of the film.

[–] 7 years ago

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