Boorman and the Devil: Making Exorcist II Trailer

We all make failures. Try not to make a famous one.

In the world of filmmaking, the pursuit of ambition often walks hand-in-hand with spectacular missteps. Yet, sometimes the biggest risks are the ones that ultimately redefine an artist’s legacy. This is the story of how one massive creative gamble nearly derailed a celebrated director’s career, and how looking back, that failure might be the most valuable lesson of all.

Yellow Veil Pictures has recently unveiled an official trailer for Boorman and the Devil, a documentary delving into the legendary—and deeply flawed—attempt to direct The Exorcist II. This wasn’t just another film; it was an enormous creative and commercial swing that unfolded in 1975 when director John Boorman took on the monumental task of tackling a franchise titan for Warner Bros.

At the time, the project proved to be a critical and financial disappointment, nearly ending Boorman’s trajectory in Hollywood. But instead of dwelling on the setback, the documentary offers a much richer narrative: a retrospective look at the ambition behind the project, the chaotic reality of its execution, and the enduring artistic value that emerged from the wreckage.

The film surfaces years later, providing a fascinating conversation among the cast and filmmakers about the weight of creative risk. Boorman himself reflects on the experience, admitting that he misses big, ambitious filmmaking that dares to take huge swings. He argues that while The Exorcist II: The Heretic didn’t connect with the masses upon release, it ultimately proved essential for shaping his unique directorial voice.

“I miss big, ambitious filmmaking that takes huge risks,” Boorman stated in the documentary. “In 1977, John Boorman took an enormous creative and commercial swing with Exorcist II: The Heretic which didn’t connect with almost anybody at the time—but now we can look back and appreciate how big creative swings are what going to the movies is all about.”

This documentary serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes, the most impactful careers are built not on safe bets, but on the daring leaps of faith. It’s a testament to the idea that even monumental failures can yield profound artistic understanding, proving that sometimes, the biggest swings are the ones that fundamentally change the landscape of cinema.