The Children Are Our Future
Season 1: Episode 20
The Exorcist (1972)
Based on a true story of demonic possession in 1949 which Blatty heard about whilst being a student at Georgetown University in 1950. Aspects of the character Father Merrin were based on the British archaeologist Gerald Lankester Harding, who had excavated the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls had been found and whom Blatty had met in Beirut. Blatty has stated that Harding "was the physical model in my mind when I created the character [of Merrin], whose first name, please note, is Lankester."
Aspects of the novel were inspired by an exorcism performed by the Jesuit priest, Fr. William S. Bowdern, who formerly taught at both St. Louis University and St. Louis University High School.
Recent investigative research by freelance journalist Mark Opsasnick indicates that Blatty's novel was based on an actual 1949 exorcism of a young boy from Cottage City, Maryland, whom Opsasnick refers to using the pseudonyms Robbie Mannheim and Roland Doe. The boy was sent to his relative's home on Roanoke Drive in St. Louis where most of the exorcism took place.
Blatty refers to the Loudun possessions and the Louviers possessions throughout the story, mostly when Fr. Karras is researching possession and exorcism to present the case to his superiors. He also has one of his characters tell a brief story about an unnamed fraudulent Spiritualist medium who had studied to be a Jesuit priest. This story can be found in Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research, Vol. 114. 1930, in an article about fraudulent practices by Daniel Dunglas Home.
The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards winning two for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Sound Mixing. The film would also win 4 Golden Globe Awards including Best Motion Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor and Best Screenplay.
Opening Credits (.19); Introductions (1.39); Getting To Know Us (2.03); Forming the Plot (10.22); Prologue (13.30); Page to Page (14.26); Commercial Break (1:03.37); Film Trailer (1:04.03); Commercial Break (1:05.47); Lights, Camera, Action (1:06.23); Epilogue (1:51.02); End Credits (1:55.03); Closing Theme (1:56.02)
Opening Credits – Five Pieces for an Orchestra by The National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Leonard Slatkin from the album ‘The Exorcist – An Original Motion Picture Soundtrack’
Closing Theme – Tubular Bells by Book of Love from the album ‘Lullaby’
All songs available from Amazon.
All rights reserved.
Season 1: Episode 21
The Omen (1976)
Directed by Richard Donner and written by David Seltzer, this film would be the top box office winner of 1976 and a huge commercial success. This would also win Jerry Goldsmith's only Oscar for his richly textured soundtrack.
The film would bring the world three sequels and an unfavourable remake in 2006. It is now considered a horror classic and has crossed the genre divide as being known as a true film classic and is most top films to watch.
It has also won endless awards and considered to be an influential film that brought people back to the church upon its release in 1976. This classic story about a child switched at birth whom maybe the son of Satan getting ready to take back his rightful place in the world.
Frailty (2001)
Bill Paxton making is directorial debut with a script by Brent Hanley, this psychological thriller won over the critics for its dark portrayal of a father raising his children in the light of god with horrifying results.
The film is now considered a cult gem with critics urging people to discover this film which works on many levels. This is considered one of the best horror films to come out in the 2000's.
The film will never be equalled and it leaves its audience with food for thought long after the screen goes black. The film stars Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton and Powers Boothe.
It also brings to the screen two amazing young actors Matt O'Leary and Jeremy Sumpter who bring innocence and knowingness to their roles which will stick with you.
Opening Credits (.19); Introduction (3.46); What’s New (4.10); Forming the Plot (6.51); Commercial Break (8.12); Film Trailer (8.54); Prologue (11.12); Scene by Scene (11.51); Forming the Plot (57.59); Commercial Break (58.39); Film Trailer (59.11); Lights, Camera, Action (1:01); Critic’s Choice (1:02); Epilogue (1:31.35); End Credits (1:35.04); Closing Theme (1:35.47)
Opening Credits – Ave Santi – by Jerry Goldsmith from the album Varese Sarabande 25th Anniversary Celebration The Omen Original Soundtrack Recording
Closing Credits – Kids in America by Kim Wilde – from the album Kim Wilde (self-titled album)
All rights reserved.
All songs available through Amazon
