Exorcist II documentary: Boorman and the Devil on TCM
Boorman and The Devil: The Cost of Creative Ambition
Get ready to settle in, movie lovers, because the story behind one of cinema’s most infamous sequels is finally getting the spotlight it deserves. The documentary Boorman and The Devil about the making of Exorcist II: The Heretic is hitting Turner Classic Movies this week, and the buzz around it is deafening. It’s not just a retrospective; it’s a deep dive into the chaotic, spectacular journey of a film that defined—and nearly derailed—a legendary director’s career.
From the moment it was released, critics were captivated by the documentary’s ability to dissect the process of creation. Publications like The Hollywood Reporter hailed it as a nostalgic look at an era of ambitious filmmaking, while IndieWire described it as a dazzling reflection on John Boorman’s career. Even Bloody Disgusting championed it as the definitive reclamation of the Exorcist II narrative, with Deadline calling it “one of the best movies about the making—and unmaking—of a movie.”
At its heart, the film tells the tale of a creative gamble. Warner Brothers offered director John Boorman the chance to follow up their smash hit, The Exorcist, with a sequel. The result was less a triumph and more a monumental disaster, a financial and critical failure that nearly ended Boorman’s career. Yet, the documentary frames this failure not as a defeat, but as a testament to the sheer audacity of artistic risk-taking.
The documentary pulls back the curtain on the choices that led to the film’s tumultuous existence. It reveals the conflicts that simmered beneath the surface of the production, allowing us to see how artistic vision clashed with practical reality. As one reviewer noted, the perceived flaws in the film stem directly from the ambition of the creators themselves—from insisting on tap-dancing scenes to elaborate, almost sleep-inducing synchronizer sequences.
The conversation deepened with interviews featuring some of the industry’s heavyweights. Director Mike Flanagan, currently immersed in directing his own Exorcist film, focused on the technical brilliance of the production, praising the dynamic cinematography by William A. Fraker and the haunting score by Ennio Morricone. He acknowledged that even those involved admit that as a sequel to The Exorcist, the film ultimately didn’t work out.
This honest assessment speaks volumes: that big creative swings often lead to spectacular outcomes, whether they succeed or fail. It’s a reminder that passion and craft, even when resulting in a flop, are the true measure of cinematic achievement. Whether you celebrate the success or the spectacular misstep, the legacy of ambitious filmmaking remains undeniable.
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