Hi Pale....the Exorcist.... my wife and I were out for ten or so years when that movie was released. We got out when my son was born, No blood or a Paradise earth for him just reality.
So when my wife and I saw the movie we jumped at the extreme parts and definitely were affected by the story and special effects. Very powerful for that time.The Demon thing was just a vehicle to present a story that was atmospheric and very tense.
My son who was ten years old at that time really wanted to see this movie. We said no.
In child rearing I used a form of 'Convince me' instead of an out right yes or no. I wanted our son to make an argument why he should see the Exorcist.
My argument was ...... your too young.
His argument was 'can I see it when I'm thirteen'?
We compromised by agreeing that he could see the movie when he turned 13........ he was disappointed but understood he could see this movie in a few years. This is well before movies on tape or DVD's. So I wasn't worrying that he would see it at thirteen.
We lived in West Palm Beach FL and there was a theater that ran older movies. Sure enough the Exorcist was playing. My son was now thirteen and an agreement was an agreement.
I had some trepidation as we entered the theater.
We got seated and the movie started. The suspense grew........ the horror was rolled out in small doses building up to a particular scene. Where the demon controlled girl used a crucifix to masturbate.,,,,violently .......Bug eyed, drooling and using that crucifix to hammer herself over and over again.
I thought......oh my god why did I agree to this.
Then my son turned to me and said "Dad I've seen enough let's go!"
I don't know what the moral of this story is. I kept my end of a bargain though I never thought I'd have to be a part of that.....he demonstrated a maturity........ that I was proud of.
The sun and fresh air was a welcome relief when we exited the theater. He's 52 now and still laughs at his and my reaction to that scene.
