THE EXORCIST – TRUE STORY BEHIND THE FILM
PART ONE
In 1971, one of the most popular horror films of all time was written. And in 1973, the film, ‘The Exorcist’ was aired for the first time on the big screen. A film based on the true paranormal events and exorcism of a boy named, Roland Doe.
The writer, William Peter Blatty became inspired to write this book after he discovered there were diaries of the exorcism, written by the Jesuit Priests – during and after Rev. William S. Bowdern’s repeated attempts to exorcise 13 year-old Roland Doe.
In 1949, William Blatty was an English major student at Georgetown University, when he began reading the newspaper articles about the exorcism of Roland Doe. He later approached his lecturer, Rev. Thomas Bermingham informing him of the story. The Reverend then went on to conduct further investigations and discovered that the diaries of Roland Doe had in fact been chronicled by the Jesuit Priests.
It was unfortunate for Blatty, but he was unable to get permission (at that time) to read the diaries, therefore, he had to turn to lengthy newspaper investigations, which resulted in some amazing discoveries:
In January 1949, Roland Doe and his dysfunctional family began experiencing strange occurrences in their home. The location is still undecided for many reasons – one being:
Years later, Blatty contacted Father Bowdern during the making of the film, ‘The Exorcist’. Blatty asked if he should visit the Doe family, but the Father became insistent that the family’s location and confidentiality remain secret, to protect the boy. However, I can say, it was either Maryland, USA, or Mount Rainer, USA.
Wherever the true place is, it is known that the family’s troubles began with minor disturbances… namely scratching sounds heard in various locations of their home (usually coming from the ceiling or the walls). This led the family to suspect rodent infestation. However, after contacting a rodent extermination firm, who carried out a full investigation, they concluded that the house was free of infestation.
It was not long after this when the cause of these disruptions began taking on a more dramatic and sinister role and Roland Doe was to become the unfortunate victim of this relentless phenomenon.
Whilst sleeping, he began experiencing violent bed shaking episodes and sheets being dragged off his bed. These onslaughts rapidly increased in intensity and could often be heard and witnessed by the family.
As Roland’s family became convinced these attacks were genuine, they also started to link Roland’s fascination with the Ouija board. Roland began to dabble with this ‘game’ thanks to his Aunt Tillie, who introduced him to it before she died on January 26th, 1949 - eleven days before the start of the paranormal activity.
Although Roland’s mother suspected Aunt Tillie was the cause of the haunting, the family had to act quickly as concern grew for Roland’s welfare.
As Roland was baptized a Lutheran after birth, the family called in the help of two Lutheran ministers - one being Rev. Luther Schultze, the other is unknown. Accompanying them was a Rabbi, who was only there because of his knowledge in this type of suspected phenomena.
Whilst the boy was being assessed, (written in the Jesuit diaries) Roland suddenly began ranting in a language he had no previous knowledge of.
The two Lutheran ministers had no clue what Roland was saying, however, the Rabbi understood every word…Roland was speaking the rabbi’s native tongue of Hebrew – fluently!
The Exorcist – part two - click on this
The Exorcist – part three – click on this
Back to home page click on this
SCROLL DOWN TO COMMENT:
By, J Reynolds (aka, eyepriestess) (Copyright 2009, World Mysteries And True Ghost Tales).
Pic of Regan MacNeil by, Wayne Ridsdel (Copyright 2009, Wayne Ridsdel. At World Mysteries And True Ghost Tales).
This is a valuable source of reference for anyone persuing an interest in this controversial field of paranormal phenomena. Not only is it accurate, but in the places where information is still unconfirmed by official sources the author as resisted the urge to embelish it with fantasy and fiction. I for one will be waiting eagerly for the articles continuation.
I watched the original Excorcist movie when it first came out. I was only about 10 years old at the time and it really scared me. I never knew about the true story behind the movie until I read this article.
J Reynolds you did an excellent job at explaining what prompted this movie!
Excellent article, I to am very anxious to read part two. I’ve scanned a few stories of this online, but seemed to always run across them when I didn’t really have time to read all the details. I’d kept meaning to go back and find out what happened and never did.
I did read something about his obsession with the ouija board and if I remember right, he’d even tried to contact the aunt that gave it to him after she died.
It’s so hard to think about something this horrible afflicting someone so young.
Thanks all three of you for the comments.
To GH, I think this is the only horror film that has truly scared me. The Amytyville horror, came close and the ghost story ‘The Changeling’.
Wayne and Coco, I made sure I carried out extensive research as there are so many conflicting articles written about this. I not only looked at numerous articles, but also newspaper and Catholic church reports and coverage in great detail..
It was one of the hardest articles I have ever written and it is based on facts rather than anything else.
I am at present writing part two and you are right Coco, in that, they did try to contact Aunt Tillie through the use of the ouija board, which lied as usual, but I don’t want to say too much here, it will spoil part two.
Thanks again!
Very thought provoking. I, like Wayne, Coco and Ghost Hunter cant wait for Part Two, please don’t take too long. What a visual perception your part 1 has portrayed, WOW! Well done.
I remember watching The Exorcist for the first time when I was young.. It absolutely terrified me!
I think the reason this movie touched me so was because things like this really do happen in real life.. And it is still the only movie that I will not watch by myself at nighttime. And like you Eyepriestess.. The Changling and the first Amityville Horror movie came in second.. for the most unnerving to watch..
I also am looking forward to reading part two.
Mama’s chick
Mama’s chick,
nice to see you back on here again!!!
What you say about things like that happening in real life is more than true. After my ouija board experience, I was attacked by an evil presence and God only knows what would have become of me if I hadn’t prayed for help at the time. It would probably have turned into a movie, that evil had big intentions on possessing me that night and i’m not exagerating! Read about it – http://www.worldmysteriesandtrueghosttales.com/the-dangers-of-ouija-boards/
Cannot wait for Part 2 I Really enjoyed this and I know Eye Priestess can back me up on that
Handsome Harry,
thanks for that and yes I can validate that,
It will be posted tomorrow, (added today, new info been discovered, which has caused delay) I’ve had a bit of trouble with it, in making sure it is exactly right and authentic.
I’m about to post part two of the Reflexology article first as this has caused me less trouble. I needed a break from the true story behind the exorcist.
ha ha that scared the sh*t out of me!
send me some more stories
What do you mean Neil?
I live in mo. I moved into an appartment last april. I live alone and i have no animals. After about 3 weeks i started hearing a knock on the wall. It was three knocks, about every 1/2 hr i would hear it. This went on for a day and a half. The wall is an outer wall made of brick. There’s no water pipes in the wall and no duct work, just a wall about maybe 6 inches wide. I was wide awake when i heard this. I only heard this knock one more time and that was as i was falling off to sleep in my recliner. The know was on the wall behind me. I have tried to think of an explanation for this as i dont really want to be in a little apt with a restless spirit. I belive spirits could come from within us. I think we create negative or positive energy and there is no limit to the power of this energy, good or evil.
I once heard a banging above me Scott when i was walking through my dining room, it sounded like someone jumping off my bed, but i think it was coming from next door. When a door is slammed in their house it sounds like it is coming from my upstairs. This took me quite a while to figure out, but eventually i sussed it all.
Since you live in an appartment, the sound could be coming from someone knocking a nail or something into their wall, either above you or below you. Anyway, good luck with getting to the bottom of it all.
Hi..thanks for responding.The apt that i live in is a row of apartments.My apt is at the very end.The wall were i heard the knocking is a outer wall and its brick.If it was a wall i shared with a neighbor it wouldnt have concerned me.It sounded like a person knocking on the wall 3 times.This happened 4 a day and a half.The knocking was at the same spot about 2ft from the floor.About 5 months b4 i was at my cousins and i was sitting on the couch.I looked down the hall and i saw my cousins door open and then it shut.It never swung open and slammed shut,it was like someone was opening a door looking out 4 a sec.then shutting the door.To be fair my cousin window was open.Its remotely possible that the wind sucked the door open at a normal speed then shut it at a normal speed as if someone was opening and closing it.There has only been 3 things that has happened in my 44 yrs that i cannot explain.I wont get into the 1st thing i saw.I never disbelived or believed in ghosts or spirits until these things started happening.UFO”S,bigfoot,loch ness monster,time travel.Ones mind can kind of grab ahold of these things.But spirits and ghosts dosnt make any sence at all.Maybe Rod Sterlings little commentary at the begining of the Twight Light Zone might explain this better than anything.Thank You,Scott
oh wow Scott, you got me wondering what else has happened, feel free to tell alll!
Nothing else has happened,nothing to write a book about.
I remember seeing a episode of the Waltons were somthing similar happened,just not as dramatic.Strange things started happening.Doors opening and closing,vases flying across the room and smashing against a wall.The piano was playing by itself.They concluded that these things were happening because of Elizabeth.She like the boy in the movie was in her early teens.Her hormones was going haywire.She had a lot of anger in her.I do believe that people are people are capible of producing negative or positive energy.I have looked people that was 150 ft away and felt good or bad vibs coming from them.The young boy in the movie was coming of age.He was probally sad and angry that his aunt died.He may well have produced this very powerful energy that took on a life of its own.
I HAVE TO SAY….THAT IS THE ONLY MOVIE EVER MADE THAT HAS SUCCEEDED IN SCARING ME! THE SAD PAST IS THAT I AM NOW 38 AND THAT MOVIE STILL MAKES MY SKIN CRAWL! I WATCHED IT AS A TEENAGER AND HAD NIGHTMARES, AND NOW IF I GET TIN THE MOOD FOR A GOOD HORROR MOVIE..WELL, I TURN TO THE EXORCIST. ONLY I REFUSE TO WATCH IT ALONE OR AT NIGHT..GIVES ME THE WEEBY JEEBYS
This is such a very crazy story, and it almost made me use the bathroom on myself.
Lol, well i hope you made the bathroom in time O: Yes it is a crazy story, but 41 Jesuit Priests (think that’s the amount) put their signatures to the event and exorcisms.
Hi EP and everyone.
I was in a store a while back. The man in front of me dropped a wad of money in front of me. I told him about it. He never said thank you. But that dosnt really matter. Im not so petty or vain that i need to be thanked for a good deed.
I read a true story later about a little girl who picked up some money on the ground. She promply went to town and spent it on candy. When her grandma found out about this she told the little girl she had sold her soul to the devil. From that time on terrible things started to happen similar to what happened to the Rolland boy. After being constantly tormented by unclean spirits she finally found herself in a hospital for the hopelessly insane.
This is a true story. The girl picked up the money and spent it. The grandmother told her she now belonged to the devil. If in fact she was or wasn’t of course cannot ever be proven.
But remember ladies and gentelmen “Be good, for goodness sake”
I love the new look to your website EP
Yes, be a decent person…phew stories like that bring you down to earth!!!
Howdy! I simply would like to give a huge thumbs up for the nice data you will have right here on this post. I can be coming again to your weblog for more soon.
Thank you
I thought this thread was dead.It was this thread that started it all. I was looking up articles on the Rolland Doe exorcism case and i found this site.Then i became fascinated with the paranormal. I started talking to EP and she taught me a lot of things, then she built me a website. So now i have my own paranormal site. And it all started right here a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.
It was nice to meet you Scott, you’re a caring person who i wanted as a friend not long after. Great sense of humour too!
For anyone wanting to see Scott’s site, it is on the homepage of this site.
Thank you EP you flatter me. I’ve grown to care for EP a lot. This is and always will be the mother site.
Your sites will be big soon, my site was helped by a great man, David who runs trueghosttales.com…now that is huge!
A woman who is a college educated theologian said satan is the most controlled being in the universe. satan can do only what God allows him to do.
Demons generally will not put up much of a fight against God. If u read the story and watch the movie, the more the priest prayed, the more out of control the boy and the situation became. There shouldn’t have been a battle royale between God and the demons that lasted for weeks.
If the priests weren’t part of the solution then they were part of the problem. It should have been a simple matter of a man of God telling the demons to leave in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Demons tremble when they even hear the name of God mentioned. When EP was attacked and she was attacked by a demon – that meant business. She didn’t hear knocking, scratching sounds, or saw shadows. She was brutally and violently attacked. But when she prayed to God to save her, the demon high tailed it out of there.
To boil it all down to gravy, the Jesuit Priest’s made the situation worse and more uncontrollable, in my humble opinion.
I have seen the video “The exorcist, a true story” several years ago on TV. I would really like to know where I could purchase it. I have been looking for this video for a long time. Please help me. Thanks.
I found this site Estelle, i think it’s free to watch a film, but haven’t had time to check it out properly just yet: http://www.videosurf.com/the-exorcist-91258