1 1 (Chanting in Arabic) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 (Tick tick tick) 1 1 1 1 1 1 (Hoofbeats) 1 1 1 (Pebbles falling) (Growling) (Dogs growling) 1 (Crash) (Rattle rattle) (Crash) (Rattling overhead) (Crash) 1 Sure do love you. Morning. Good morning, Mrs MacNeil. How are you today? Fine, thank you. That's good. It's OK. I've got it. Thanks. Good morning, Madam. Good morning, Karl. Oh, Karl, we've got rats in the attic. You'd better get some traps. Rats? Mmm, I'm afraid so. But the attic is clean. All right, then we've got clean rats. No. No rats. I just heard them, Karl. Maybe plumbing. Yeah, or maybe rats. Now, will you just get the traps? Yes, I go now. Don't go now, Karl. The stores aren't open yet. I will see. They're closed. MAN OVER BULLHORN: In the group over here, I need a priest, a nun, and 2 students. That's exactly what we want. And the camera goes around here. Burke? Oh, Burke. Is the scene really essential, Burke? Would you do without it? This damn thing doesn't make sense. It's perfectly plain. You're a teacher. You don't want the building torn down. Come on, I can read. Well, what's wrong? Well, why are they tearing the building down? Shall we summon the writer? He's in Paris, I believe. Hiding? Fucking! Scene 39, hotel. Take 4. All right, hustle, background, and action! (Roar of protesters) GIRL: We're not backing down! DIRECTOR: And action, Chris! (Feedback) Wait a minute! Wait! Hold it! Hey, come on! We're all concerned with human rights, for God's sake. But the kids who want to get an education have a right, too! Yeah! Yeah! Don't you understand? It's against your own principle, for God's sake! Yeah! Yeah! You can't accomplish anything by shutting kids out of their school. Yeah! Hold it! Hold it! If you want to effect any change, you have to do it within the system. DIRECTOR: OK, cut. That's a wrap. I think I'll walk home tonight, Mike. Take that and drop it by my house. Good night, Tom. Good night. 1 There's not a day in my life that I don't feel like a fraud. Priests, doctors, lawyers-- I've talked to them all. I don't know anyone who hasn't done that. (Aeroplane flies over) Hello? In here. Hi. How'd your day go? Not too bad. It was like the Walt Disney version of the Ho Chi Minh story, but other than that, it was terrific. What have we got? Anything exciting here? Oh. Great. Also, you got an invitation. What's this? Dinner at the White House. You're kidding me. Is it a big party or something? Just 5 or 6 people. Thursday, huh? Far out. GIRL: Hi, Mom. What'd you do today? Stuff. What's that mean, "stuff"? Well, me and Sharon played a game in the backyard, and we had a picnic down by the river. That sounds fun. You should have seen. This man came along on this beautiful gray horse. Really? What kind? Was it a mare, a gelding, what? I think it was a gelding. It was gray. It was so beautiful. The guy let me ride it all around. Oh, that's nice. It was so nice. Oh, I loved it. Mom, can't we get a horse? Not while we're in Washington. We'll see when we get home, OK? When can I have one? We'll see, Regan. We'll see. On the party invitations, I want-- Regan, don't. Regan, come back here. You're in--come here. Ha ha ha! All right, give it up. No! Oh! You'll be sorry. No! 1 Father... would you help an old altar boy? I'm a Catholic. All right. Come on, man. Alfonso! Hey, man! (People speaking Greek on radio) Mama? Mama. Mama. Dimmie. Dimmie. (Speaking Greek) How are you, Mama? I'm so glad to see you. You look good. I'm all right. How's your leg? How about you? Fine, Mama. I'm fine. Your Uncle John passed by to visit me. Oh, really? When? Last month. Too tight? No. Mama, you have to stay off it. You can't go up and down the stairs. You have to give it a rest. OK. Mama, I could take you somewhere where you would be safe and wouldn't be alone. There would be people around. You wouldn't be sitting here listening to a radio. (Speaking Greek) You understand me? This is my house, and I'm not going noplace. Dimmie, you worry for something. No, Mama. You are not happy. Tell me, what is the matter? Mama, I'm all right. I'm fine. Really, I am. (Tunes radio to Greek music) Here it comes. There. Oh, look at that. You like it? Oh, isn't that funny? I'd better put him over here to dry, though. He's still wet. There we go. There. He can dry there. Hey, where'd this come from? I found it. Where? The closet. Huh. Have you been playing with it? Yep. You know how? I'll show you. Wait a minute. You need 2. No, you don't. I do it all the time. Oh, yeah? Well, let's both play. You really don't want me to play, huh? No, I do. Captain Howdy said no. Captain who? Captain Howdy. Who's Captain Howdy? I make the questions, and he does the answers. Oh... Captain Howdy. Ah, I see. He's nice. Oh, I'll bet he is. Here, I'll show you. All right. Captain Howdy, do you think my mom's pretty? Captain Howdy? Captain Howdy, that isn't very nice. Well, maybe he's sleepin'. You think? What--Regan. Why are you reading that stuff? 'Cause I like it. It's not even a good picture of you. You look so mature. I wouldn't talk. You wouldn't talk? Well, I didn't have my make-up man there. Let me take an eyelash off your face. No, I didn't get it. What are we gonna do on your birthday? Isn't it nice it's on Sunday this year? What can we do? I don't know. What would you like to do? Got any ideas? Mm-mmm. No? Let me think. Let me think. What can we do? Hey, we never finished seeing all the sights in Washington. Didn't get to the Lee Mansion and lots of stuff. Shall we go sightseeing... if it's a nice day? Yeah, let's do that. And tomorrow night, I'll take you to a movie. OK? Oh, I love you. I love you, Rags. We'll have a good day, huh? You can bring Mr Dennings if you like. Mr Dennings? Well, you know, it's OK. Well, thank you very much, but why on earth would I want to bring Burke on your birthday? You like him. Yeah, I like him. Don't you like him? Hey, what's going on? What is this, huh? You're gonna marry him, aren't you? Oh, God, are you kidding? Me marry Burke Dennings? Don't be silly. Of course not. Where'd you get that idea? But you like him. Of course I like him. I like pizzas, too, but I'm not gonna marry one. You don't like him like Daddy? Regan, I love your daddy. I'll always love your daddy, honey. OK? Burke just comes around here a lot 'cause... Well, he's lonely. Don't got nothin' to do. Well, I heard... differently. Oh, you did? What did you hear? I don't know. I just thought... Well, you didn't think so good. How do you know? 'Cause Burke and I are just friends. OK? Really. OK. You ready for sleep? Good night. Good night, honey. JUKEBOX: # Lord, I was born a ramblin' man # # Lord, I was born a ramblin' man # It's my mother, Tom. She's alone. I never should have left her. At least in New York, I'd be near. I'd be close to her. I could see about a transfer, Damien. I need reassignment, Tom. I want out of this job. It's wrong. It's no good. You're the best we've got. Am I really? It's more than psychiatry, and you know that, Tom. Some of their problems come down to faith-- their vocation, the meaning of their lives-- and I can't cut it anymore. I need out. I'm unfit. I think I've lost my faith, Tom. Hello? Yes, this is Mrs MacNeil. Operator, you have got to be kidding! I have been on this line for 20 minutes! Jesus Christ. Can you believe this? He doesn't even call his daughter on her birthday, for Christ's sake. Maybe the circuit is busy. Oh, circuits, my ass! He doesn't give a shit! Why don't you let me-- No, I've got it, Sharon. It's all right. Operator, don't tell me there's no answer. It's the Hotel Excelsior in Rome. Would you try it again, please, and let it ring? Hello? Yes. No, operator, I've given you the number 4 times. What do you do, take an illiteracy test to get that job? Don't tell me to be calm, god damn it! (Ring) (Ring) Yeah? You're kidding me. OK. I thought I just went to bed. Yeah. Hey, what are we doing, scene 61? OK. Oh, just remind Flo about that blue belt. Yeah. I'll see you. What are you doing here? My bed was shaking. I can't get to sleep. Honey. (Crash) (Rattle rattle) (Crash) (Banging) God damn it! Jesus! (Crash) Aah! (Man speaking, indistinct) Oh, Karl. Jesus Christ. Karl, don't do that. Very sorry, but you see... no rats. No rats. Thanks a lot. That's terrific. Very sorry, but you see... no rats. No rats. Thanks a lot. That's terrific. (Church bell ringing) Oh, my God. OK. Unroll your fist. Arm up. Very good. That wasn't so bad, was it? Remain perfectly still. Breathe normally. Tell me if you feel a vibration. Regan? (Metallic ringing) Do you feel anything? Can you feel this? I don't feel anything. Put this in your mouth. Keep it there. This tells your temperature. When the red light goes on, that's your temperature. I'll run it! (Regan humming) (Continues humming) A disorder of the nerves. At least we think it is. We don't know yet exactly how it works. It's often seen in early adolescence. She shows all the symptoms-- hyperactivity, quick temper, performance in math. Yeah, why the math? What is that? It affects her concentration. Aha. Now, this is for Ritalin. OK. 10 milligrams a day. Is it like a tranquillizer? It's a stimulant. A stimulant? My God, she's higher than a kite now. The condition isn't quite what it seems. Nobody knows the cause of hyperkinetic behaviour in a child. Ritalin seems to work to relieve the condition. As to how or why, we really don't know. But the symptoms could be overreaction to depression. That's out of my field. My daughter isn't depressed. Well, you mentioned her father and the separation. Do you think I should take her to a psychiatrist? No. I think we should wait and see what happens with the Ritalin. I think that's the answer. Let's wait 2, 3 weeks. All right. And the lies she's been telling, that's part of it, huh? Lies? Like saying her bed's shaking, that stuff? Have you ever known your daughter to swear, to use obscenities? No, never. Hmm. Interesting. Similar... similar to things like her lying, it's uncharacteristic for her-- I don't understand. She doesn't swear. Well, she let loose quite a string while I was examining her, Mrs MacNeil. I find that hard to believe. What'd she say? Her vocabulary is rather extensive. Well, give me an example. Like what? Specifically, what did she say? Well, specifically, Mrs MacNeil, she advised me to keep my fingers away from her... "goddamn cunt." I can't believe it. Oh. Now, she-- You don't think a psychiatrist? No. I think the best explanation is always the simplest. Well, we'll wait. We'll wait and see. OK. So, in the meantime, try not to worry. How? The edema affected her brain. You understanding? She don't let no doctor come near her. She was all the time screaming, even talking to the radio. You should have called me the minute it happened. Regular hospital not gonna put up with edema, so we give her a shot, bring her here to the doctors, they fix up her leg. Then we take her right out. 2 or 3 months, she's out, good as new. Miss... Yes? We want to see Mrs Karras. Do you have an appointment? Yes. Are you a relative? I'm her brother. He's her son. Just a minute. (Woman sobbing) You know, it's funny. If you wasn't a priest, you'd be famous psychiatrist now on Park Avenue. Your mother, she'd be living in a penthouse instead of... You go in, Dimmie. I wait for you outside. You'll find Mrs Karras in the last bed on the left-hand side. I'm so sorry... No, no, no. Come along. Don't bother the Father. Go to your bed. Father, I wanna talk. Let me out. The Father will be back. It's all right. (Sobbing) Mama. It's Dimmie, Mama. Dimmie. Why you did this to me, Dimmie? Why? Mama, I'm gonna take you out of here. Mama, I'm gonna take you home. (Speaking Greek) Everything's gonna be all right. Mama, I'm gonna take you home. (Speaking Greek) Mama, I'm gonna take you home. Couldn't you put her someplace else? Like what, private hospital? Who got the money for that, Dimmie... you? There seems to be an alien pubic hair in my drink. I beg your pardon? Never seen it before in my life. Have you? Well, actually, Father, we're pretty comfortable up there, at least compared to the Gemini and Mercury programs, where they were tight for space. You see, we've got about 210 cubic feet, so we can move around. If you ever go again, will you take me along? What for? First missionary on Mars. Tell me, was it public relations you did for the Gestapo or community relations? I'm Swiss. Yes, of course. And you never went bowling with Goebbels, either, I suppose, eh? Nazi bastard. Over behind the church. You know where I mean? It's a red-brick wing. St Mike's. What goes on there? Who's the priest I keep seeing there? He's there all the time. He has black hair, and he's intense-looking. Damien Karras. That's his office back of St Mike's. He's our psychiatric counsellor. Had a pretty rough knock last night, poor guy. His mother passed away. She was living by herself, and I guess she was dead a couple days before they found her. Cunting Hun! Bloody damn butchering Nazi pig! Stop it! I'll kill you! Aah! Leave him alone! Get out! Get out! (Shouting) What's the matter with you? What's for dessert? You sleepin'? (Drunken singing) Whoa! Steady, big fella. OK. There you go. All right. Listen, Burke, your car's at the curb. Louie's waiting. It's nice and warm. Oh. Yes, honey, what? Fuck. God. I hope he makes it. I do, too. Was he acting up! Flying is what he was. Oh, I think we still have... (Group singing) # Down on the east side of Toidy-Toid and Toid # This is a great party. Yeah. Don't stop. Keep going. I don't need any encouragement. My idea of heaven is a solid-white nightclub with me as a headliner for all eternity, and they love me! Ohh, boy. # Down on the east side # # Of Toidy-Toid and Toid # # That's my home sweet home # # Some people think it's the home of black eyes # # Just because... # Hey, I think we've got a guest. You're gonna die up there. Regan. Oh, my God, honey. Honey, what's the matter? I'm sorry. She's been sick. She didn't know what she was saying. Excuse me. Come on upstairs. What made you say that, Regan? Do you know, sweetheart? Mother... what's wrong with me? It's just like the doctor said. It's nerves, and that's all. OK? You just take your pills, and you'll be fine, really. OK? (Scrubbing) Is it coming out, Willi? Yes, I think so. Good. REGAN: Aah! Mother! (Thump thump thump) Mother! Mother! Mother! (Gasps) Mother! Help! Mother! Mother, make it stop! Mom! Aah! Mother, help me! One fold. Big 5. Another 5 with a pair. Just a 10 with 3 clubs... and a 6. Pair of 3s still bets. MAN: I'll talk to you about it tomorrow, all right? Yeah? Where'd you get the money for the Chivas Regal, the poor box? That's an insult. I've got a vow of poverty. Where'd you get it, then? I stole it. I believe you. The college president shouldn't drink. Tends to set a bad example. I figure I saved him from a big temptation. Oh, Christ! I should have been there, and I wasn't there, and I should have been there. There was nothin' you could do. Lie down. Give me the butt. Come on. All right. Think you can sleep? Yeah. What, are you gonna steal my shoes now? No. I tell fortunes by reading the creases. Now, shut up and go to sleep. Wait. Good night. DAMIEN: Stealing is a sin. (Damien snoring) (Damien groans) Aah! I don't want it! Honey, it's to help you. I don't want it! Hold still, baby. You fuckin' bastard! Remember also, o Lord, thy servant Mary Karras... who has gone before us with the sign of faith and sleeps the sleep of peace. ALL: Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word, and I shall be healed. May the body of Christ bring me to everlasting life. Well, it's a symptom... of a type of disturbance in the chemical-electrical activity of the brain. In your daughter's case, in the temporal lobe-- up here, the lateral part of the brain. It's rare, but it does cause bizarre hallucinations, and usually just before a convulsion. A convulsion? The shaking of the bed. That's doubtless due to muscular spasms. Oh, no. No, no. That was no spasm. Look, I got on the bed. The whole bed was thumping and rising off the floor and shaking. The whole thing, with me on it. Your daughter's problem isn't her bed. It's her brain. So, um... what causes this? A lesion. A lesion in the temporal lobe. It's a kind of seizure disorder. Look, Doc, I really don't understand how her whole personality could change. In the temporal lobe, it's very common. It can last for days or even weeks. It isn't rare to find destructive, even criminal behaviour. Hey, do me a favour. Tell me somethin' good. Don't be alarmed. If it's a lesion, in a way, she's fortunate. All we have to do is remove the scar. Let's move her. Regan, can you sit up and scoot over here? A little more. Good. I'm just gonna move you down on the table, OK? It's just for a short time. You're doing fine. Very sticky. Now, Regan, you're gonna feel something a little bit cold and wet. OK, now you're gonna feel a little stick here. Don't move. Mmhh... Good. OK, you're gonna feel some pressure here. Now, don't move. Uhhh! Mmhh! Mmhhh. Mmhh. Mmhh. Mmhh. Uhhh! Mmhh. Hook up. (Very loud clacking) Aaahh! There's nothing there. No vascular displacement at all. You want me to run another series? I don't think so. No. I'd like you to see her again. Excuse me, Doctor. Chris MacNeil is on the phone. She says it's urgent. You got some time? Of course. (Doorbell rings) (Regan screaming upstairs) Dr Klein? Yes, I'm Dr Klein. This is Dr Tanney. I'm Sharon. Things have gotten worse since I phoned you. Is she having spasms again? Yeah, but they've gotten violent. Did you give her the medication I gave you? Yes. What was that? Thorazine. Before that, it was Ritalin. REGAN: Aah! Aah! Aah! Chris, doctors. Mrs MacNeil, This is Dr Tanney. What is it? What's happening? Make it stop! It's burning! CHRIS: Do something. Please, help her. Oh, please, Mother! Mother! Make it stop! He's tryin' to kill me! Mother! Mother! Make it-- (Deep masculine voice) Aah! Aah! (Gurgling) All right. Let's see what-- (Demonic voice) Keep away! The sow is mine! Fuck me! Fuck me! Fuck me! Aaaahhh! Aaaahhh! Aaaahhh! Aaaahhh! No! Aah! Stay away from me! Stay away! No! Mother, please! Hold her tight. Don't let them! No! (Wailing) (Regan screams) Aaaahhh! She's heavily sedated. She'll probably sleep through tomorrow. What was going on in there? How could she fly off the bed like that? Pathological states can induce abnormal strength... accelerated motor performance. For example, say a 90-pound woman sees her child pinned under the wheel of a truck, runs out and lifts the wheels 1/2 foot up off the ground. You've heard the story. Same thing here. Same principle, I mean. So what's wrong with her? We still think the temporal lobe. What are you talking about, for Christ's sakes? Did you see her or not?! She's acting like she's fucking out of her mind, psychotic like a split personality, or... Oh, Jesus. I'm sorry. There haven't been more than 100 authentic cases of so-called split personality, Mrs MacNeil. Now, I know the temptation is to leap to psychiatry, but any reasonable psychiatrist would exhaust the somatic possibilities first. So what's next? Another encephalogram, I would think, to pin down that lesion. It will involve another spinal. Oh, Christ! Now, what we missed in the E.E.G. and the arteriograms could conceivably turn up there. At least it would eliminate certain other possibilities. Aah... Aah... Dr Tanney says the x-rays are negative. In other words, normal. Do you keep any drugs in your house? No. Of course not. Nothing like that. Are you sure? Well, of course I'm sure. I'd tell you. Christ, I don't even smoke grass. Are you planning to be home soon? I mean, uh... to L.A., I mean. Um... no, I, uh... I'm building a new house. My old one's been sold. I don't know... I was gonna take... I was gonna take Regan to Europe for a while after she finished school. Why do you ask? I think it's time we started looking for a psychiatrist. (Siren) (Telephone rings) (Ring) (Ring) Hello? Shar? (Siren passing) Shit. God. (Door closes) Sharon! What the hell do you mean going off and leaving Regan by herself? (Doorbell rings) Didn't he tell you? Didn't who tell me? Burke. What's Burke got to do with it? There wasn't anybody here, so when I went to get the Thorazine, I had him stay with her. I should've known better. Yeah, I guess you should have. How were the tests? We have to start looking for a shrink. Hi, Chuck. Come on in. I suppose you heard. Heard what? You haven't heard. Burke's dead. He must have been drunk. He fell down the steps right outside. Before he'd hit "M" Street, he...broke his neck. Oh, God! (Sobbing) No! Yeah, I know. Sharon... Sh-- Oh, my God. Arrrhhh! Oh, my God. Arrrhhh! When I touch your forehead, open your eyes. Are you comfortable, Regan? Yes. How old are you? 12. Is there someone inside you? Sometimes. Who is it? I don't know. Is it Captain Howdy? I don't know. If I ask him to tell me, will you let him answer? No. Why not? I'm afraid. If he talks to me, I think he'll leave you. Do you want him to leave you? Yes. I'm speaking to the person inside of Regan now. If you are there, you, too, are hypnotized and must answer all my questions. Come forward. Answer me now. (Growling) Aarrrhhh! Are you the person inside of Regan? PSYCHIATRIST: Who are you? (Growling) Aagh! Aah! Aah! Aah! Aaahh! Harold! Let go! Aaaaaahhh! Father Karras? Have we met? No, we haven't met, but they said I could tell... that you look like a boxer. William F. Kinderman, Homicide. What's this all about? Yeah, it's true. You do look like a boxer. Like...John Garfield in Body and Soul. Exactly. John Garfield. People tell you that, Father? Do people tell you you look like Paul Newman? Always. You know this director was doing a film here-- Burke Dennings? I've seen him. You've seen him. And you're also familiar how last week he died? Only what I read in the papers. Father, what do you know on the subject of witchcraft? From the witching end, not the hunting. I once did a paper on it. Really? From the psychiatric end. I know. I read it. Father, this desecration in the church-- do you think this has anything to do with witchcraft? Maybe. Some rituals used in a Black Mass, maybe. And now...Dennings. You read how he died? In a fall. Let me tell you how, and please, Father... confidential. Burke Dennings, good Father, was found at the bottom of those steps leading to "M" Street with his head turned completely around, facing backwards. Didn't it happen in the fall? It's possible. Possible. However... Unlikely. Exactly. So on the one hand, we've got a... witchcraft kind of murder, and on the other hand, a Black Mass-type desecration in the church. You think the killer and the desecrater are the same? Maybe somebody crazy, somebody with a spite against the church, some unconscious rebellion. Sick priest, is that it? Look, Father, this is hard for you. Please, I understand. But for priests on the campus here, you're the psychiatrist. You'd know who was sick at the time, who wasn't. I mean, this kind of sickness. You'd know that. I don't know anyone who fits that description. Ah. Doctors' ethics. If you knew, you wouldn't tell, eh? No, I probably wouldn't. Not to bother you with trivia, but a psychiatrist-- in sunny California, no less-- was put in jail for not telling the police what he knew about a patient. Is that a threat? No. I mention it only in passing. Incidentally-- I mention it only in passing-- I could always tell the judge it was a matter of confession. Hey, Father! Wait a minute! Do you like movies? Very much. Well, I get passes to the best shows. Mrs K, she gets tired, never likes to go. That's too bad. Yeah. I hate to go alone. You know, I love to talk film. Discuss, to critique. You want to see a film with me? I got passes to the Crest. It's Othello. Who's in it? Who's in it? Debbie Reynolds, Desdemona, and Othello, Groucho Marx. You happy? I've seen it. One last time. You can think of some priest who fits the bill? Come on. No, answer the question, Father Paranoia. All right. All right. You know who I think really did it? Who? The Dominicans. Go pick on them. I could have you deported. You know that? I lied. You look like Sal Mineo. It looks like a type of disorder that's rarely ever seen anymore, except in primitive cultures. We...we call it somnambuliform possession. Quite frankly, we really don't know much about it at all, except that it... it starts with a... conflict or a guilt, and it leads to the patient's delusions that his body has been invaded by some alien intelligence. Uh...a spirit, if you will. Look, I'm telling you again, and you better believe me, I am not locking her up in some goddamn asylum. Well, it's not-- And I don't care what you call it, I'm not putting her away! I'm sorry, ma'am. You're sorry? Jesus Christ! 88 doctors, and all you can tell me with all your bullshit is-- Of course, there is... one outside chance for a cure. But, uh... I think of it as... shock treatment. As I said, it's a very outside chance. Would you just name it, for God's sakes? What is it? Do you have any religious beliefs? No. What about your daughter? No. Why? Have you ever heard of exorcism? Well, it's a... stylized ritual in which the, uh... rabbi or the priest try to drive out the so-called invading spirit. It's been pretty much discarded these days, except by the Catholics, who keep it in the closet as sort of an embarrassment, but it has worked, in fact, although not for the reasons they think. It's purely a... force of suggestion. The, uh, victim's belief in possession is what helped cause it, so in that same way, the belief in the power of exorcism can make it disappear. You're telling me that I should take my daughter to a witch doctor. Is that it? Karl? Did you put this in Regan's bedroom? She's going to be well? Karl, if you put this in Regan's bedroom, I want you to tell me. Now, did you? No, not me. I didn't. This was under Regan's pillow. Did you put it there? Of course I didn't. I didn't put it. (Knock on door) KARL: Excuse me, Madam. What?! A man to see you. What man? Might your daughter remember, perhaps, if Mr Dennings was in her room that night? Why do you ask? Might she remember? No. No, she was heavily sedated. It's serious? Yes, I'm afraid it is. May I ask-- We still don't know. Watch out for drafts. A draft in the fall, when the house is hot, is a magic carpet for bacteria. Excuse me, Madam. Anything else? No, Karl. We're fine. Thank you. It's all right, Karl. Why are you asking all this? It's strange. The deceased comes to visit, stays only 20 minutes, and leaves all alone a very sick girl. And speaking plainly, Mrs MacNeil, it isn't likely he would... fall from a window. Besides, a fall wouldn't do to his neck what we found, except maybe 1 chance in 1,000. No. My hunch-- my...opinion-- he was killed by a very powerful man. Point one. And the fracturing of his skull, point 2, plus the other things we mentioned, would make it very probable-- probable, not certain-- that the deceased was killed and then pushed from your daughter's window. But nobody was in the room except your daughter, so how can this be? It could be one way. If someone came calling between the time Miss Spencer left and the time you returned. Judas Priest. Just a second. The servants? They have visitors? Not at all. You were expecting a package that day, some delivery? None that I know of. Groceries, cleaning-- a package? I really wouldn't know. Karl takes care of all that. I see. Would you like to ask him? No, never mind. It's-- It's very remote. No, never mind. Yep. Would you like some more coffee? Please. That's cute. Your daughter, she's the artist? Thank you. You're welcome. Incidentally, uh... you might ask your daughter if she remembers seeing Mr Dennings in her room that night. He wouldn't have any reason in the world to go up to her room. Oh, I know, I realize, but... if certain British doctors never asked "What is this fungus," we wouldn't today have penicillin, correct? Well... when she's better, I'll ask her. Yeah, couldn't hurt. Uh, in the meantime... That's OK. Uh, I really hate to ask you this, but... What? For my daughter, could you please give an autograph? Of course. Um... where's a pencil? Right here. Here. Oh... she'd love it. And what's her name? I lied. It's for me. The spelling is on the back. Kinderman. OK. Oh, you know that film you made, um... Angel? Oh, yeah. I saw that 6 times. Really? Ha ha! Thank you. You're a very nice lady. Thank you. You're a nice man. I'll come back when she's feeling better. Bye. Bye. (Crash) REGAN: Please, no! (Demonic voice) Do it! Please, no! (Demonic voice) You bitch! Do it! REGAN: No, please! No! Aaah! Bitch! (Demonic voice) Let Jesus fuck you! Let Jesus fuck you! Let him fuck you! Aahhh! Aaaahhh! Give it! Give it to me! Stop! Stop it! Lick me! Lick me! Oh! Aaaah! Chris! Mrs MacNeil! (Pounding on door) Oh! Oh! Aaahh! Open the door! (Demonic voice) Do you know what she did... your cunting daughter? (Wailing) Chris MacNeil? Please go away. I'm Father Karras. I'm very sorry. Hello. It's all right. I should have told you I wouldn't be in uniform. Yeah, that would have helped. Have you got a cigarette, Father? Oh. Sure. Thanks. Cold. Yeah. Uh... how did a shrink ever get to be a priest? It's the other way around. The Society sent me through medical school. Oh. Where? Harvard, Bellevue... Johns Hopkins-- places like that. I see. You're a friend of Father Dyer's, right? Yes, I am. Pretty close? Pretty close. Did he talk to you about my party? He sure did. About my daughter? No. I didn't know you had one. He didn't mention her? No. Oh. He didn't tell you what she did? He didn't mention her. Priests are pretty tight-mouthed, then, huh? That depends. On what? The priest. Sure. I mean, what if a person... uh, came to... you know, that was a murderer or criminal of some kind, and they... and they... wanted some kind of help? Would you have to turn him in? If he came to me for spiritual advice, I'd say no. You wouldn't. No, I wouldn't. But I would try to convince him to turn himself in. And, uh... how do you go about getting an exorcism? I beg your pardon? If, um... if a person's, you know, possessed by a demon or something, how do they get an exorcism? I'd have to get 'em into a time machine and get 'em back to the 16th century. I didn't get you. It just doesn't happen anymore. Oh, yeah? Since when? Since we learned about mental illness, paranoia, schizophrenia-- all those things they taught me at Harvard. Since the day I joined the Jesuits, I've never met one priest who has performed an exorcism. Not one. Yeah, well...ahem. It just so happens that somebody very close to me is-- is probably possessed and needs an exorcist. Father Karras, it's my little girl. (Sobs) And that's all the more reason to forget about exorcism. Why? I don't understand. It could make things worse. Secondly, the church, before it approves an exorcism, conducts an investigation to see if it's warranted. That takes time. You could do it yourself. No, I couldn't. I need church approval, and that's rarely given. Well... Could you see her? Yes, I could. I could see her as a psychiatrist-- Not a psychiatrist! She needs a priest! She's already seen every fucking psychiatrist in the world, and they sent me to you! Now you're gonna send me back to them? Jesus Christ! Won't somebody help me? No, you don't understand. Your daughter-- Can't you help her? Just help her! (Regan moaning and wailing) It wants no straps. Hello, Regan. I'm a friend of your mother's. I'd like to help you. You might loosen the straps, then. I'm afraid you might hurt yourself, Regan. I am not Regan. I see. Well, then, let's introduce ourselves. I'm Damien Karras. And I'm the Devil! Now, kindly undo these straps! If you're the Devil, why not make the straps disappear? That's much too vulgar a display of power, Karras. Where's Regan? (Voice change) In here...with us. Show me Regan, and I'll loosen one of the straps. (Old man's voice) Can you help an old altar boy, Father? Your mother's in here with us, Karras. Would you like to leave a message? I'll see that she gets it. If that's true... then you must know my mother's maiden name. What is it? What is it? Thank you. Look, I'm only against the possibility of doing your daughter more harm than good. Nothing you could do could make it any worse. I can't do it. I need evidence the Church would accept as signs of possession. Like what? Like her speaking in a language she's never studied. What else? I don't know. I'd have to look it up. I thought you were supposed to be an expert. There are no experts. You probably know as much about possession as most priests. Your daughter doesn't say she's a demon. She says she's the Devil himself. If you've seen as many psychotics as I have, you'd realize that's the same thing as saying you're Napoleon Bonaparte. You asked me... what I think is best for your daughter. 6 months under observation... in the best hospital you can find. You show me Regan's double-- same face, same voice, everything... and I'd know it wasn't Regan. I'd know in my gut. I'm telling you that thing upstairs isn't my daughter. I want you to tell me that you know for a fact there's nothing wrong with my daughter except in her mind! You tell me you know for a fact that an exorcism wouldn't do any good! You tell me that! Did Regan know a priest was coming over? No. Did you know my mother died recently? Yes, I did. I'm very sorry. No...is Regan aware of it? Not at all. Why do you ask? It's not important. Good night. REGAN'S VOICE: Hello? (Indistinct) REGAN: OK, um, hello, Daddy? This is me! What should I say? CHRIS: Well, go on, just talk to your daddy, anything you want. All right, um... Tell him what you've been doing... Uh, well, you see, um... I mean, I hope you can hear me. Can you hear me OK? Well, let me see. Uh...(Laughs) CHRIS: Go on, talk to your daddy. Ummm, I don't know what to say. Uh, well, first we--no...wait. I don't know! Oh, Regan. Tell him about Washington. OK. See, we're in Washington now, Daddy. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said... "Take this, all of you, and eat it..." "For this is my body." When the supper was ended, He took the cup. Again He gave you thanks and praise, gave the cup to his disciples, and said, "Take this, all of you, and drink from it..." "This is the cup of my blood-- "the blood of the new and everlasting covenant-- the mystery of faith." What an excellent day for an exorcism. You'd like that? Intensely. But wouldn't that drive you out of Regan? It would bring us together. You and Regan? You and us. Did you do that? Uh-huh... (Gurgling) Do it again. In time. No, now. In time. Mirabile dictu, don't you agree? You speak Latin? Ego te absolvo. Quod nomen mihi est? Bonjour. Quod nomen mihi est? La plume de ma tante. How long you planning to stay in Regan? Until she rots and lies stinking in the earth. What's that? Holy water. You keep it away. Uhh! Aah! It burns! Ohhhh! It burns! Aaaahhh! A-a-a-aah! (Speaking in tongues) Who are you? (Speaking in tongues) A-a-a-a-aah! CHRIS: No, I'm in, like, uh, seclusion. No. I'm just exhausted from work. Um...she's... she's fine. She just isn't, uh... I don't want to talk about it, OK? Um... OK. I'll talk to you, huh? I'll call you as soon as it's over. No, I'm just--I really-- I'm going through something, and I just have to, uh... No, no. No, no. There's nothing. Hey, thanks a lot. Bye, now. (Hangs up telephone) Want a drink? Please. What do you drink? Uh, scotch. With ice, water. OK. No ice. I'll get some from the kitchen. No, it's all right. I'll take it straight. That's fine. Please, sit. Really? You sure? Yes. Sit. Where's her father? In Europe. Have you told him what's happened? No. Well, I think you should. I told Regan that was holy water. I sprinkled it on her, and she reacted very violently. It's tap water. What's the difference? Holy water is blessed, and that doesn't help support a case for possession. She... killed Burke Dennings. What? She killed Burke Dennings. She pushed him out her window. RECORDING: (Speaking in tongues) DAMIEN: Who are you? (Speaking in tongues) It's a language, all right. It's English. What do you mean, English? It's English in reverse. Listen. Give us time! Let her die. RECORDING: I am no one. I am no one! Fear the priest! (Growling) Fear the priest. (Growling) Ooh...Merrin. (Stops tape) (Rewinds tape) I am no one! Ooh... Merrin! Fear the priest! (Telephone rings) Merrin! Merrin! Yeah? Yeah. I'll be right there. I don't want Chris to see this. What's wrong? What is it? Shh... (Gurgling and hissing) You're convinced that it's genuine? I don't know. No, not really, I suppose. But I have made a prudent judgment that it meets the conditions set down in the Ritual. You would want to do the exorcism yourself? Yes. It might be best to have a man of experience-- someone who's spent time in foreign missions. I understand, Your Excellency. Let's see who's around. In the meantime, I'll call you as soon as I know. Thank you, Your Excellency. Well, he does know the background. I doubt there's any danger in just having him assist. Should be a psychiatrist present, anyway. What about the exorcist? Have you any ideas? How about Lankester Merrin? Merrin? I had the notion he was in Iraq. I read that he was working on a dig near Ninevah. Yeah, you're right, Mike, but he's finished. He came back 3 or 4 months ago. He's at Woodstock now. What's he doing there, teaching? No. He's working on another book. Don't you think he's too old, Tom? How's his health? He must be all right. He's still running around digging up tombs. Mmm. Besides, he's had experience. I didn't know that. 10, 12 years ago, I think, in Africa. The exorcism supposedly lasted months. I heard it damn near killed him. Father? 1 1 1 Mrs MacNeil? Yes. I'm Father Merrin. Come in. Thank you. Is Father Karras here? Father. Father Karras. It's an honour to meet you, Father. (Demonic voice) M-e-e-errin! Are you very tired? No. I'd like you to go quickly to the residence and gather a cassock for myself, 2 surplices, a purple stole, and some holy water, and your copy of The Roman Ritual-- the large one. I believe we should begin. Do you want to hear the background of the case first? Why? RADIO: It's yours to do with as you please. You can choose to escape if you want, but you may never be able to return. Don't let anyone decide for you. (Turns radio off) (Strange moaning sounds from Regan) Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Thank you. Thank you very much. You're welcome. Would you like some brandy in that, Father? Well, the doctors say I shouldn't. But, thank God, my will is weak. Especially important is the warning to avoid conversations with the demon. We may ask what is relevant, but anything beyond that is dangerous. He's a liar. The demon is a liar. He will lie to confuse us... but he will also mix lies with the truth... to attack us. The attack is psychological, Damien... and powerful... so don't listen. Remember that. Do not listen. I think it might be helpful to give you some background on the personalities Regan has manifested. So far, I'd say there seem to be 3. She's convinced that-- There is only one. (Demonic groaning) (Howling) What is your daughter's middle name, Mrs MacNeil? Teresa. What a lovely name. (Growling) Stick your cock up her ass, you motherfucking, worthless cocksucker! Be silent! Aahhh! Ohhhh. Ohhhh! (Moaning continues) Aaah! Our Father, who art in heaven-- Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation... "But deliver us from the evil one." "Save me, oh, God, by thy name. By thy might, defend my cause." "Proud men have risen up against me, "and men of violence seek my life. "But God is my helper. "The Lord sustains my life. In every need he has delivered me. "Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit." "As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen." "Save your servant..." "Who places her trust in thee, my God." "Be unto her a fortified tower..." "In the face of the enemy." Arrhh! Aahhh! "Let the enemy have no power over her." "And the son of inequity be powerless to harm her." Your mother sucks cocks in hell, Karras! "The Lord be with you." "And also with you." Let us pray. "Holy Lord, almighty Father, Everlasting God, and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, "who once and for all consigned that fallen tyrant to the flames of hell, "who sent your only begotten son into the world to crush that roaring lion, "hasten to our call for help and snatch from ruination and from the clutches of the noonday Devil "this human being made in your image and likeness. "Strike terror into the beast "now laying waste to your vineyard. "Let your mighty hand cast him out of your servant, Regan Teresa MacNeil, "so he may no longer hold captive this person whom it pleased you to make in your image." Aaah! "And to redeem through your Son, "who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever." Amen. "Oh, Lord, hear my prayer." (Moaning) Father Karras. Father Karras. (Groaning) Damien! The response, please, Damien! "Let my cry come unto thee." "Almighty Lord, word of God the Father, "and Jesus Christ, "God and Lord of all creation, "who gave to your holy apostles "the power to tramp underfoot serpents and scorpions, grant me, your unworthy servant--" Bastards! Stop! "Pardon for my sins and the power to confront this cruel demon." Aaahhh! (Howling) See the cross of the Lord. Be gone, you hostile power! O Lord, hear my prayer. Let my cry come unto thee. The Lord be with you. And also with you. (Wheezing) Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha! Father. Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha! Ha ha! (Coughing) (Coughing) Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha. I cast you out, unclean spirit-- Shove it up your ass, faggot! In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! It is He who commands you! He who flung you from the heights of heaven to the depths of hell! Fuck him! Be gone from this creature of God! Be gone! In the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, by this sign of the holy cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit! Damien! Amen. God, defender of the human race-- Oh! Look down in pity-- You killed your mother! You left her alone to die! Shut up! She'll never forgive you. You killed her! Shut up! Bastard! Ohhh! I command you, by the judge of the living and the dead, to depart from this servant of God. It's the power. Holy water. Oh! It's the power of Christ that compels you! The power of Christ compels you! The power of Christ compels you! The power of Christ compels you! The power of Christ compels you! The power of Christ compels you! The power of Christ compels you! The power of Christ compels you! The power of Christ compels you! The power of Christ compels you! The power of Christ compels you! The power of Christ compels you! The power of Christ compels you! The power of Christ compels you! The power of Christ compels you! He brought you low by his bloodstained quest. Do not despise my command because you know me to be a sinner. It is God himself who commands you. The majestic Christ who commands you. God the Father commands you. Grrrr! God the Son commands you. Aaah! Aaah! God the Holy Spirit commands you. The mystery of the cross commands you. The blood of the martyrs commands you. Oh! Aah! (Howling) Give way to Christ, you prince of murderers. You're guilty before almighty God. Guilty before his Son. Guilty before the whole human race. It's the Lord who expels you, He who is coming to judge both the living and the dead and the world by fire. Are you tired? Let's rest before we start again. (Wheezing) (Wheezing and gurgling continue) Why this girl? Doesn't make sense. I think the point is to make us despair. To see ourselves as... animal and ugly. To reject the possibility that God could love us. Will you excuse me, Damien? Grrrr! Grrrr! (Voice of Karras' mother) Dimmie... why you do this to me? Please, Dimmie. I'm afraid. You're not my mother. Dimmie, please. What is it? Her heart. Can you give her something? She'll go into a coma. (Speaking Greek) You're not my mother! Don't listen. Why, Dimmie? Damien! Dimmie, please. Damien. Get out. Grrrr! Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name... Is it over? Is she gonna die? No. (Doorbell rings) (Giggling) You son of a bitch! Ohh! Take me! Come into me! God damn you! Take me! Take me! Grrrrr! (Regan crying) Gaarrrhhh! No! (Regan screaming) Mother! Mother! (Sobbing) Mother. Mother! Somebody fell here! On the steps here! (Sirens) (Regan sobs) Mother! Regan? (Sobbing) Stop pushing! All right, get back! Do you want to make your confession? Are you sorry... are you sorry for having offended God and for all the sins of your past life? Ego te absolvo de peccatos tuus. In nomine patris et filii et... spiritus sanctu. Amen. Where do you want this? What is it? Phonograph. Storage. That's everything. I'm gonna miss you. Same here. Sure you won't change your mind? I found this in her room. Better hurry. Yeah. Regan! Come on, honey. We have to get goin'. She doesn't remember any of it. That's good. All done. OK. Honey, this is Father Dyer. Hi, Father. Hello. Ready, Missus. Good-bye, Father. Good-bye. I'll call you. Bye. Bye, Father. I hope I see you again. I hope so, too. Father Dyer! I thought you'd like to keep this. Why don't you keep it? Lieutenant. You just missed them. How's the girl? She seemed fine. That's important. That's important. Well...well. Back to business, back to work. Bye, Father. Good-bye. Father Dyer. Do you go to films? Sure. Well, I got passes. In fact, I got a pass to the Crest tomorrow night. Would you like to go? What's playing? Wuthering Heights. Who's in it? Heathcliff, Jackie Gleason. And in the role of Catherine Earnshaw, Lucille Ball. I've seen it. Another one. Had your lunch? No. CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE www.tvnz.co.nz/access-services Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. TVNZ Access Services 2011