‘Boorman and the Devil’ Review: The Making of John Boorman’s 1977 Disaster ‘Exorcist II: The Heretic’ Becomes a Documentary So Unbelievable It’s Funny

John Boorman admits that his "Exorcist" sequel is one of the most infamous debacles of the '70s. But he still doesn't seem to know why.

By Owen Gleiberman

Owen Gleiberman

Chief Film Critic

Latest

• Why Do We Love Spider-Man So Much? 1 day ago
• ‘Spa Weekend’ Review: Leslie Mann and Isla Fisher in a High-Concept Comedy Without the Comic Highs 2 days ago
• ‘Mutiny’ Review: Jason Statham Dies Hard on a Cargo Ship in a Thriller of Impeccable Bring-the-Pain Timing 4 days ago

“Boorman and the Devil” is a disaster movie that feels like a party. It’s a documentary about the making of one of the worst movies of its time, and maybe of all time — “Exorcist II: The Heretic,” the spectacularly misconceived and maladroit sequel to “The Exorcist.” It was a film so singular in its awfulness that when it came out in the summer of 1977, audiences laughed at it (they literally did), and the director, John Boorman, made a frantic attempt to recut it. (He lopped off the atrocious ending for a different atrocious ending.)

Related Stories

Paramount Slams Mark Ruffalo Merger Attack as 'Antisemitic,' Says Company Does Not 'Tolerate Prejudice of Any Kind'