LORE

The definitive book on the dueling prequels to The Exorcist.

Written by Michael Garrett, an essayist for Benjamin Szumskyj's AMERICAN EXORCIST, a book of essays on the works of William Peter Blatty, author of THE EXORCIST.

The purpose of a volume on the second and third cinematic efforts at portraying the title character of the juggernaut original film (and that of sequel Boorman's The Heretic) pre-1973 is to examine and present a cross-section of a horror franchise, from a “prequel” focus, leaving no stone unturned, nor taking sides on which is the better film, for both fall short of the original.

Like the other sequels, these two competing prelude chapters failed to also match the specific expectations of the studio, and ultimately audiences of the original wanting something theologically sound, AND scary. Yet, their story, on every level is a cornucopia of cinematic brainfood, the author learns through his plethora of references – from published and unpublished (and in some cases personal) interviews with cast and crew, to the two novelizations (one unpublished) going deeper than any screenplay as any good book ought, to the various screenplays themselves, beginning with the legendary “Wisher draft”, and some interesting DVD commentaries with the directors, Paul Schrader and Renny Harlin.

To think what might have been... a perfect prequel. This book illuminates what such a film would have, could have been – what the studio and all involved had in mind – for readers with certain pre-conceived notions, or anyone unaware of the controversial productions; you don't know the half of it. Most are quite familiar with the BAD and UGLY, but there's a whole lot of GOOD about these little films, actually. The mystery of goodness, indeed. A lot of people's time, energy, and money made these two films what they ultimately became and their stories as well as their cinematic presentations of a young priest and future exorcist named Merrin, deserve nothing less than definitive.

Accept no substitutes. Ego te provoco.