New Documentary 'Boorman and the Devil' Details 'Exorcist II' Production Chaos

A new documentary directed by David Kittredge provides a detailed autopsy of one of cinema's most notorious sequels. 'Boorman and the Devil' examines the tumultuous creation of 'Exorcist II: The Heretic' (1977), a film that remains a primary example of the friction between auteur ambition and studio mandates.

The documentary features interviews with director John Boorman, actress Linda Blair, and the late Louise Fletcher. It details how Boorman, who preferred to call the project simply 'The Heretic,' attempted to pivot the franchise away from traditional horror. Boorman described the project to Max von Sydow as "a beautiful poetic healing film bearing the hope of spiritual regeneration." However, the production was fraught with difficulty, including several instances where cast and crew members ended up in the hospital. The film opened in New York City on August 28 before expanding to other cities on September 4.

The Vision vs. The Brand

Boorman entered the project during a volatile period in his career, following the critical failure of his sci-fi effort 'Zardoz' and while he was developing 'Excalibur.' His relationship with the 'Exorcist' property was complicated from the start; he had previously declined to direct the original film because he believed the source material focused on "torturing a child."

When he eventually took the helm of the sequel, Boorman envisioned it as a "riposte" to the first film. Rather than delivering the visceral terror audiences expected, he sought to create a narrative centered on spiritual regeneration. This fundamental miscalculation led to a film that was reviled by critics and audiences alike, who felt the poetic approach betrayed the horror roots of the original.

The Cost of Bravery

'Boorman and the Devil' serves as a case study on the tension between artistic vision and commercial expectation. It illustrates how a "noble and brave" intention can result in a career-threatening disaster when a director miscalculates the requirements of a franchise. Reflecting on his approach, Boorman noted, "I've often felt that I've been braver in my filmmaking, and more cowardly in my life. Perhaps there's only so much bravery you can muster, and I've put mine into the films."

Legacy of a Misstep

The documentary also highlights the long road to its own completion, noting that Boorman's interview for the film was shot approximately seven years before the documentary's release. When addressing the fallout of his creative choices, Boorman asked rhetorically, "What do you want me to do, immolate myself on Hollywood Boulevard?"

As the film reaches wider audiences, it leaves viewers to decide whether 'The Heretic' was a failed experiment in spiritual cinema or simply a cautionary tale about the dangers of ignoring a franchise's established identity.