MovieChat Forums > Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) Discussion > Would´ve people liked this better if it ...

Would´ve people liked this better if it was an Italian movie?

posted 15 years ago by matheusmarchetti
16 replies | jump to latest

I mean, it has all elements of the great Italian horror movies of it´s time: stunning visuals, surrealism, dark and overpowering atmosphere, cheesy over-the-top craziness, and, among other things, an Ennio Morriconne soundtrack.
Now, don´t get me wrong, I LOVE Italian horror films (Suspiria is my all time favorite horror movie), but I find it intriguing how so many people praise those films for the exact same reasons they hate Exorcist II. Surely, it does not compare to works of say Bava or Argento, but it´s still a pretty good and underratend supernatural thriller. So, as I´ve said above, do think if it was released as an Italian cash-in, or even unnoficial sequel, it would´ve been more highly praised?

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[–] earcandy74 15 years ago

Yes I total agree! I am a fan of Argento movies from the 70's and E2 does have a similar feel. It could have been better understood as an Italian horror, or even a weird cult acid film. I also like cheeze, I am a fan of MST3K, and there is plenty of cheeze in E2. If you watch E1 and then watch E2 expecting the same ride, you should pass on E2. That is why E2 took a nasty beating from viewers. It's not as bad as people say IMHO.

[–] imightbedesperate 15 years ago

Yeah there is definitely a double standard there. I notice that Argento's Phenomena has a much higher rating than this movie. They both have quite similar plot contrivances but I think Exorcist 2 is a lot better made, scripted and acted than Phenomena. Exorcist 2 looses those points in the rating only because its a sequel to a completely different sort of movie and people mark it down on how it succeeds as a sequel and not as a movie in its own right.

[–] Doctor_Mabuse1 15 years ago

You have hit right on something I've thought for decades: The Heretic is unappreciated as much for its European style as for its drastic contrast to the original film.

There are elements of Expressionism and Silent German Cinema in the film but the primary influence is Italian Gothic (the Vatican, the Cardinal, etc.) The presence of the great Italian film composer Ennio Morricone, who worked with Sergio Leone, Mario Bava and Dario Argento, makes it clear that Boorman is consciously working in that tradition. As a work of fantastic cinema, The Heretic is on a par with Argento's Suspiria and Bava's Lisa and the Devil, both highly stylized works which emphasize visual ideas over "realistic" dialogue and a dream-like quality which informs zombied-out characterizations.

It's ironic that The Heretic's two most (commercially) successful competitor's were Italian: Chi Sei?/Beyond the Door, which was shot in Rome with San Francisco exteriors to make it look like an American film; and House of Exorcism, the bastardized original release of Bava's magisterial Lisa and the Devil, gussied up with barfy new scenes to turn it into an ersatz successor to The Exorcist.

Doctor Mabuse, Evil Genius, King of Crime

[–] MetalMiike 15 years ago

Weirdly, I only watched the film for the first time tonight and was thinking all the way through it "this is a bloody Argento movie!". Weirder still, straight after watching Exorcist II: The Heretic I watched part 1 of Dr. Mabuse. Conincidence? Powerful Satanic Forces? Or just bad film-making? (from Boorman, I hasten to add, never Lang).

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[–] christomacin 15 years ago

no, they would just have said "it sucked" in Italian: Il Sucko Filmo? I don't know Italian too well, he he.

[–] Gus-69 15 years ago

Stunning visuals? More like made-in-my-garage crapfest.

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] SkaterDave 15 years ago

No, it would have sucked just as much if it were Italian. How do you say Bazoozoo in Italian?

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] ElectricWarlock 13 years ago

Yes, I agree. This movie is very unique and I can't think of another film like it, but the closest thing I can think of to compare it to is Suspiria.

"Come, fly the teeth of the wind. Share my wings."

[–] franzkabuki 13 years ago

Well, I certainly don´t praise Argento for his utter ineptitude in dealing with dialogue or acting. For one thing, they tend to ruin whatever a film might have going for it otherwise. Argento´s films do tend to be visually/aurally more effective than this though.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] jorgito2001 12 years ago

I think the OP touched on something...while watching this flick, I was thinking "this wouldn't be considered a horrible film if it was an Italian production"...is it bad my bar isn't set quite so high for flicks like that? Nevertheless, Exorcist II, if taken as a standalone flick (The Heretic?!?) isn't a terribly bad horror movie...but it IS a BAD and ridiculously INFERIOR sequel to one of the best horror films ever made!

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I'm your average ordinary everyday, jorgeegeetooo!

[–] phoenixandrew 10 years ago

Because if it's an Italian movie, we lower our expectations. If it's a Hollywood-backed film, we hold it to high standards.