David Kittredge's documentary Boorman and the Devil provides an engrossing examination of the making of Exorcist II: The Heretic, a film widely regarded as one of cinema's most disastrous sequels. The documentary, which premiered in New York City on August 28 and will expand to other cities on September 4, explores the creative and personal challenges director John Boorman faced during its production.
The film traces Boorman's career trajectory leading up to The Heretic, including his preceding career low with the science fiction film Zardoz. It details the writing and production of the Exorcist sequel, a process marred by an extended hiatus during which Boorman was gravely ill. The documentary chronicles the film's eventual release and subsequent critical failure, a period Boorman himself described with a rhetorical "What do you want me to do, immolate myself on Hollywood Boulevard?"
Boorman and the Devil features interviews with key figures involved in the film, including Boorman himself, who was reportedly 86 at the time of filming. Stars Linda Blair and the late Louise Fletcher also contribute, alongside crew members, film critics, and fellow filmmakers like Joe Dante, Karyn Kusama, and Mike Flanagan. Boorman, now 93, offers a sharp and dryly humorous retrospective on the production, viewing The Heretic not as a sequel but as a "riposte" to the original Exorcist.
Boorman recounts his initial reluctance to direct the original Exorcist, finding its premise to be about "torturing a child." However, after the commercial success of his film Deliverance and a career setback with Zardoz, he was intrigued by a metaphysical approach suggested in the two-page treatment for the sequel. He envisioned The Heretic as a "beautiful poetic healing film bearing the hope of spiritual regeneration." Despite these noble intentions, Boorman admits to miscalculating the audience's expectations, who were anticipating Exorcist II rather than the film he aimed to create.
The documentary's initial segment, which covers the transition from traditional Hollywood studio films to New Hollywood and the state of sequels at the time, may feel somewhat drawn out. While Kittredge employs slick illustrations and animation to depict behind-the-scenes events, the documentary truly comes alive when it delves into the production of The Heretic and its unraveling. This section highlights both the "agony and ecstasy" of the project.
Louise Fletcher, who passed away in 2022, shares memorable and often humorous anecdotes from her time on set. She recounts her experience stepping into a lead role after Ellen Burstyn declined to return. Uncredited co-writer and frequent Boorman collaborator Rospo Pallenberg is also featured, though his presence is depicted as contentious by some, including Linda Blair.
Ultimately, Boorman and the Devil is a story about the filmmaker confronting his own artistic challenges. It explores the perpetual tension between an artist's vision and the demands of studios and audiences, illustrating how the creation of The Heretic nearly ended Boorman's career. The film is a testament to the complex interplay between artistic ambition and commercial reality in Hollywood.