The Making Of Exorcist II: The Heretic

by Barbara Pallenberg

Vintage movie tie-in paperback

Genres: Horror, Nonfiction

208 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 1977

Reviews

[Kenneth Starcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exorcist II: The Heretic is one of the most underappreciated sequels in film history. I, for one, am a huge fan of it, and when I found out this book existed, I had to score a copy and give it a read. It's really not all that special, as it was written by the wife of the producer, and it merely chronicles the making of the film in a kind of bland, stereotypical manner, but it's still fun and fascinating, as a fan of the film. As the book was published to coincide with the release of the film, it, of course, doesn't go into the critical reception of the film, which, as we all know, was very negative. I wish this film and this book would become reevaluated by society, but it's so deeply embedded in society's subconscious as being one of the "worst films of all time," that I know it will never happen. I'll just have to go on loving and cherishing Exorcist II on my own.

[M.R. Dowsing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exorcist II was a film fraught with difficulties, so this book about its making can't fail to be interesting despite Pallenberg's determinedly low-key approach. She was the wife of the film's screenwriter and it looks like the book was approved by Warners, so don't expect anything too critical or salacious. Her detached style occasionally leads her to be a little too detailed about some of the less interesting aspects, but is mostly a virtue as she allows the main players plenty of opportunities to speak for themselves. Anyone interested in John Boorman, Richard Burton, locusts or film-making in general should enjoy it. Publication was timed to coincide with the release of the film, so there's unfortunately nothing here about its reception (which was disastrous).

[Benjamin Stahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

For starters, I'm actually kind of sympathetic towards the notorious "worst sequel of all time". That's not to say The Exorcist II is an objectively good film, because it isn't. It's weird and messy, and despite the obvious talent and directing chops of John Boorman (he made Deliverance) demonstrated in this book, it seems to lack direction and instead of being scary, ends up mostly being just absurd. Like the third movie, which I actually think is kind of overrated if still with its charm, I have to be in a certain mood to enjoy it.

However, even if you consider the sequel to be literally one of the worst films ever made, the story of how they cobbled this fascinating disaster of a picture together in the first place is an entirely different thing. It made me both appreciate what Boorman and his team was trying to go for, and just how much thought and effort went into movies in this era generally speaking.

Barbara Pallenberg, wife of the film's screenwriter, seems to have written nothing else, but she does a remarkable job in bringing this production story to life. I had opened the book expecting a fun but relatively shallow account of the film's production, meant for merely promotional purposes. Whether that was the case or not, it is really much more than that. Pallenberg has in fact delivered a lively, fast-paced, humorous and insightful story of how sometimes even the industry's hardest-working cannot please the fans, however much they bled their hearts and souls into trying.

Next time I watch The Heretic - which will be sooner rather than later - I will do so with new eyes.

[Steadycamscott · Rating 3 out of 5]

For fans of The Exorcist II will find it interesting. Barbara Pallenberg does thorough job detailing the production. Since this book doesn’t detail the editing and release of the film, it mostly focuses on pre-production and the actual production.

From reading it I understand this was not an easy production. Some parts really intrigued me. Others not so much. I am a fan of the second exorcist film so this was a curiosity, but the book is fairly dry. Most of the book feels like a production diary with a handful of interviews here and there. It’s fine. It took me awhile to get through just because I moved onto other books and came back to it. For fans only or fans of moviemaking.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this interesting book you'll come to know chapter by chapter how the second part of The Exorcist was made (maybe you'll want to re-watch the movie again): The Who's who, director, casting, Linda Blair, Richard Burton, the Ethiopian village, the Rock Church, Vatican, ghost, glass and demons, New York and the general refusal of people to lent out location sites. There are many great black and white photos of the movie inside. Really enjoyed the book and can highly recommend it!

[Miguel Arsénio · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit on the dull side this one. I read about a half of it.

[Van Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great inside look at this horror movie flop.