• The Exorcist Legacy

  • 50 Years of Fear
  • By: Nat Segaloff
  • Narrated by: Joe Hempel
  • Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (14 ratings)

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The Exorcist Legacy  By  cover art

The Exorcist Legacy

By: Nat Segaloff
Narrated by: Joe Hempel
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Publisher's summary

On December 26, 1973, The Exorcist was released. Within days it had become legend. Moviegoers braved hours-long lines in winter weather to see it. Some audience members famously fainted or vomited. Half a century later, the movie that both inspired and transcends the modern horror genre has lost none of its power to terrify and unsettle.

The Exorcist Legacy reveals the complete story of this cultural phenomenon, from the real-life exorcism in 1949 Maryland that inspired William Peter Blatty's bestselling novel on which the movie is based, to its many sequels, prequels, TV series, and homages. Nat Segaloff, biographer of the film's director, William Friedkin, draws on original interviews with cast, crew, and participants as well as revelations from personal papers to present an intriguing and surprising new view of the making of movie, and its aftermath.

Segaloff also examines as never before the keys to the movie's enduring appeal. Friedkin and Blatty's goal was far more ambitious than making a scary movie; they aimed to make people "think about the concept of good and evil." The Exorcist succeeds, and then some, not just by creating on-screen scares, but by challenging viewers' deepest personal beliefs—and fears.

©2023 Nat Segaloff (P)2023 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

What listeners say about The Exorcist Legacy

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great Overview of Exorcist Media

This was a great book about the Exorcist. Covers the bios of director Freidkin and author Blatty; the original case, novel, original film, sequel films and TV series with a tease at the new film out this year. Does an excellent job explaining the differences in books and films, and in the cases of the sequel films the different version. Not only does it explain them, it gives a handy synopsis of each, this is extremely helpful, especially if you haven’t seen all of the works. The author is a true fan, lovingly discussing the subject, even though nothing came close to the success of the original.. Note to author- Star Wars is not a mindless film, it’s been a far more successful franchise.. Great narration as well.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not bad, but not engaging.

It feels like a collection of Wikipedia facts. It lacks the feeling of narration. Also, I wanted to learn more about John Carpenter's involvement in Part 3, but it is not even mentioned.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastically entertaining and Insightful!

I absolutely loved this from start to finish. A comprehensive dive into the deep end of one of the most terrifying stories.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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loved it

this book Is good I couldn't stop listening totally recommend this book if you love the exorcist 🖤🖤

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A thorough, well structured dive into the film

The author’s love of the topic is clear and infectious and the narrator is more than serviceable. Even an Exorcist fanatic like myself gleaned a few new tidbits and book is definitely well researched and presented!

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3 people found this helpful

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Excellent

Essential history of the Exorcist franchise, thoroughly researched, expertly written and well-performed. Highly recommended.

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3 people found this helpful