‘Boorman and the Devil’ Review: Frank, Fascinating Documentary Explores the Good Intentions Behind ‘Exorcist II’

Critics often receive praise when their reviews are inaccurate, as it reveals their limited perspective. This is especially true for the 1975 film "Exorcist II: The Heretic," which received harsh criticism from the onset. The ambitious yet bizarre sequel, directed by John Boorman, was not well received by audiences, despite its inventive and technically impressive production.

Boorman's documentary, "Boorman and the Devil," delves into the film's troubled history through interviews with the director, his cast and crew, and other experts, shedding light on the various factors that contributed to its failure.

The documentary features commentary from critics Stephanie Zacharek, Bilge Ebiri, and horror filmmakers such as Mike Flanagan, Karyn Kusama, and Joe Dante. These interviews offer a range of perspectives on the film, with some sympathizing with the filmmakers' struggles, while others express amusement at the project's numerous setbacks. Boorman himself reveals his wounded state, acknowledging that his artistic ambitions ultimately led to the film's shortcomings.

Despite the film's ambitious nature, "Exorcist II" struggled with production issues, including Director Richard Burton's unreliability, Boorman's own illness during filming, and excessive delays and costs. However, it is clear that these problems were not the primary cause of the movie's failure. What ultimately made "Exorcist II" unsuccessful was the filmmakers' obsession with intellectualizing every aspect of the production, causing them to lose sight of the fundamental aspects that make storytelling work.

The documentary also explores the notion that audiences had high expectations for a sequel to the critically acclaimed "The Exorcist." While Boorman maintains that this was an unreasonable expectation, the experts consulted in the film seem to disagree, acknowledging the film's artistic ambition without fully endorsing its success.

Overall, "Boorman and the Devil" presents a balanced and honest examination of the film and its troubled production, shedding light on the consequences of artistic failure and the importance of maintaining artistic integrity even in the face of adversity.