The Exorcist/The Rite

Double bill of horrors each based on books that were inspired by real life events.

In 'The Exorcist' (1973), adapted from the novel by William Peter Blatty, who also wrote the screenplay, actress Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) has every reason to be content, having just completed a film with director Burke Dennings (Jack MacGowran).

However, she becomes disturbed by the changes taking place in her 12-year-old daughter, Regan (Linda Blair).

At first sullen and withdrawn, Regan becomes aggressive and blasphemous and ugly welts appear on her face and body.

No medical cure is forthcoming so Chris turns to local Jesuit priest Father Damien Karras (Jason Miller) for help.

Karras then calls in exorcist Father Lankester Merrin (Max von Sydow), who confirms that Regan is possessed by the devil. 'The Rite' (2011), adapted from the book 'The Rite - the Making of a Modern Exorcist' by Matt Baglio, follows the story of an American parish priest, Father Gary Thomas (Colin O'Donoghue), who travels to Rome to train as an exorcist at a Vatican-associated university.

As the young priest begins expelling demons, under the guidance of a seasoned Italian exorcist (Anthony Hopkins), he is forced to alter the way in which he perceives the spiritual world and the conflict between good and evil.