Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist: NZIFF Review

The Exorcist is not a film that requires further discussion.

Much has been written, filmed and even spoken about the 1973 film, which would lead you to believe that Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist isn't worth your time.

And while director Alexandre O. Philippe's documentary at times feels like more of a director's commentary on a DVD rather than an essential hitherto unseen or unheard chat of the film, it has one single thing going for it - William Friedkin.

Over the 100 minutes duration, Friedkin is the sole reason to stay for this examination of the most influential horror movie ever.

With a spry touch and an energetic dissection of parts of the film and the making of it, Friedkin is great company. From the spat with Lalo Schifrin that ruined their friendship to Friedkin's disappointment after a meeting with a composer, the director's penchant for a good story and a level-headed approach to the movie and its legacy renders Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist a little more heft than perhaps it's due.

Philippe may have done previous work on dissecting Psycho and Alien, but it's here that he lets Friedkin perform the dissection, gifting insights from inside the production and his own thoughts on fate and the flaw he perceives to be in The Exorcist.

There may be a feeling that much of the discussion's come from previous releases, and there is only really one new insight into the movie, but Friedkin makes for such a genial host and gifts you the feeling you alone are being talked to, that Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist feels like a more intimate experience than you'd expect.

There are moments when Friedkin looks lost in reflection, and perhaps a more aggressive interviewer and format would have pestered their subject to prise more information out.

But by leaving Friedkin to do the work, Philippe's documentary feels more authentic and more insightful than what thousands of others have said on The Exorcist before.