93-Year-Old Oscar Winner Recalls Painful Experience on Iconic Film That Traumatized Generations

Among the horror films that have traumatized entire generations, one often tops the list: “The Exorcist” by William Friedkin. Released in 1974, this feature film, adapted from William Peter Blatty’s book and revered by Quentin Tarantino, tells the story of Regan (Linda Blair), a young girl possessed by a demon. Her mother, famed actress Chris McNeil (Ellen Burstyn), enlists two exorcists to free her. The film is known for its iconic scenes, such as Regan spinning her head 360 degrees, and its chilling lines like the curses hurled at Father Karras. What is less known, however, is the significant toll the filming took on Ellen Burstyn.

Ellen Burstyn’s On-Set Accident in “The Exorcist”

One scene in particular left audiences in shock—the crucifix mutilation scene. As Regan harms herself to the point of bleeding while spouting obscenities, her mother tries to stop her. Regan, possessed, violently pushes her mother to the ground, causing Chris to fall.

To make this sequence more realistic, Ellen Burstyn wore a harness around her waist while a technician pulled her with a cable to simulate the fall. Thrown forcefully to the ground, the actress suffered a spinal injury. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she recalled this intensely painful experience: “It was a life-altering experience, but also a real physical ordeal.“

When watching this scene, Ellen Burstyn’s scream is indeed genuine: the actual fall of the actress was kept in the final cut of the film! The actress later mentioned: “You can see that I really hurt my back. I screamed so loudly in pain.” Moreover, her immediate hand placement on her back was an instinctive response to the pain. Today, Ellen Burstyn still requires regular massage sessions to manage her weakened back.

William Friedkin’s “Do Whatever It Takes” Attitude

In the same interview, Ellen Burstyn expressed pride and gratitude for having worked under the late William Friedkin, whom she described as “extremely talented.” However, she also remembered the sometimes challenging conditions on set. She shared: “But he was also one of those directors who would do whatever it took to get the shot.“

To capture the perfect take for the crucifix mutilation scene, the director of “French Connection” (1971) did not shy away from intense methods, ultimately contributing to his actress’s back injury. One thing is certain, Ellen Burstyn will never forget her experience in “The Exorcist.”