Your Favorite William Friedkin Film

[Mike 03]

And please feel free to comment on his car chases and use of vehicles, which is one of his key themes.

It is no secret Friedkin has made a load of films, some of them awesome, others awful--almost terrible--beyond belief, like the hideous "Deal of the Century" with Chevy Chase and Sigorney Weaver. Then there are the in-between films, like "Rampage", which was well intended and intellectual.

[Mike 03]

1. Thank you in advance for your opinions

I have been curious about this question for a long time now, so your input means a lot.

Thanks in advance.

[DerekG]

2. The recent "Bug", actually

Woody Allen had his "Match Point". George Lucas had his "Revenge of the Sith". And with "Bug," the largely washed-up Friedkin made a glorious return to form. The running theme of dissolution that propelled "The French Connection" and "The Exorcist" reaches its apotheosis here. Ashley Judd deserved an Oscar for her work.

[Forkboy]

4. Good flick.

:thumbsup:

[Forkboy]

3. Sorcerer, for sure.

I love that movie.

[Dr Morbius]

5. I regard The Exorcist as the greatest horror film ever.

It's an exploration of evil, manifested in a variety of ways: the bitter cold, the isolation of Father Damian's mother in the hospital, the murder of Burke and of course the usurpation of Regan's body. It's a genuine pity they didn't go with their first choice as director: Stanley Kubrick. Even so, the film is a masterpiece in my mind.

The French Connection is also a great movie, and Sorcerer is underrated. But The Exorcist is truly disturbing. When the thing inside Regan sits giggling at the death of Father Merrin, one appreciates the depth of depravity in the character. I love the understated relationship between Chris and Sharon; you can kinda guess that they have something going but it's never clear. Brilliant. Keeps the audience guessing.

[DerekG]

6. Would you even want Kubrick?

The heart of the Exorcist lies with the relationships between mother and daughter, son and mother, priest and priest, priest and detective...I seriously doubt the clinical Kubrick could have managed this.

[driver8]

8. I agree with you -- scares the shit out of me every time I see it!

I work for Warner Bros. Studios and my department re-masters and restores the Warner Bros., MGM, and Turner libraries.

I am a sound editor and sync and record the audio to the newly restored master that we create. I was asked if I wanted to work one Saturday and the job I was doing was the Director's cut of the Exorcist. I was the only one working that day, and I was scared shitless -- especially when Regan spider walked down the stairs backwards!!

I still get chills thinking about it...

[edbermac]

7. French Connection, Exorcist, Sorcerer, Boys in the Band

FC is probably his best, tied next is Exorcist and Sorcerer. Exorcist was a little too gross in some scenes to fully enjoy it. One thing worth seeing in Sorcerer is the scene
with the trucks crossing that rope bridge, unbelievable sequence!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=as7AcALNTvI

Another very brief scene in Sorcerer I always remember is a bit at a church wedding and the bride has a black eye!

Boys in the Band was good, but that is more of a photographed stage play on one set.