---
title: "The Exorcist"
year: 1973
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/the-exorcist-1973"
media_type: "movie"
tmdb_id: 9552
imdb_id: "tt0070047"
status: "Released"
runtime_minutes: 122
community_rating: 7.7
vote_count: 8722
content_rating: "R"
---

# The Exorcist (1973) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/the-exorcist-1973

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

The Exorcist is a 1973 American film directed by William Friedkin. It is a supernatural horror film that tells the story of a mysterious entity possessing a young girl, prompting her mother to seek help from two Catholic priests. The priests attempt to rescue the girl from the entity's grasp, and the film follows their efforts to save her life. The movie was adapted from a novel of the same name written by William Peter Blatty in 1971. It stars Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Jason Miller, and Linda Blair, along with Lee J. Cobb. The film is classified as a horror and drama, and it has a runtime of 2 hours and 2 minutes.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "A desperate mother seeks supernatural intervention when her daughter is overtaken by a mysterious force."

### Why Watch
- compelling premise
- intense performances

### Caveats & Content Note
- disturbing subject matter
- Tone & Suitability: The film contains intense supernatural themes and disturbing sequences.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: tense, supernatural, chilling, dramatic

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | YouTube TV | YouTube Free | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | HBO Max Amazon Channel, Sky Go, Now TV Cinema, HBO Max | None | Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV, Amazon Video |
| **Canada (CA)** | Crave, Starz Amazon Channel, Crave Amazon Channel | None | Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, CosmoGo |
| **Australia (AU)** | None | None | JustWatch TV, Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |

## Creative Credits

- **Directed by**: William Friedkin
- **Networks / Studios**: Hoya Productions, Warner Bros. Pictures

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Ellen Burstyn** as *Chris MacNeil*
- **Linda Blair** as *Regan MacNeil*
- **Jason Miller** as *Father Damien Karras*
- **Max von Sydow** as *Father Lankester Merrin*
- **Lee J. Cobb** as *Lt. Bill Kinderman*
- **William O'Malley** as *Father Joseph Kevin Dyer*
- **Kitty Winn** as *Sharon Spencer*
- **Barton Heyman** as *Dr. Klein*
- **Peter Masterson** as *Dr. Barringer*
- **Jack MacGowran** as *Burke Dennings*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: What is the movie about?
A mother enlists the help of two priests to save her daughter from a mysterious possession.

### Q: What genre is this film?
It is a supernatural horror film.

### Q: Who helps the mother?
She seeks assistance from two Catholic priests.

### Q: Is it a supernatural story?
Yes, the plot centers on a mysterious entity possessing a young girl.

### Q: What is the central conflict?
The mother must find a way to save her daughter's life from an unknown entity.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [The Exorcist — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/9552)
- [The Exorcist - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Exorcist)
- [The Exorcist (1973) - Full cast & crew - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070047/fullcredits/)
- [The Exorcist (1973) - Cast & Crew — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/9552-the-exorcist/cast)
- [The Exorcist | Summary, Cast, Curse, & Facts | Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Exorcist-film-by-Friedkin)
- [The Exorcist (1973) - Full Cast and Crew | Moviefone](https://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-exorcist/4801/credits/)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*