1973 Film Named Best Horror Movie Ever - It Was Based on True Events
Originally published in 1971, The Exorcist, sparked a literary phenomenon spending fifty-seven weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, seventeen consecutively at number one.
The novel was inspired by a true story of a child's demonic possession in the 1940s written by author William Peter Blatty.
Two years after its publication the novel was adapted into the best horror movie of all time, according to fans on Ranker.com. The film racked up ten Academy Award nominations, dominated the box office and spawned a generation of possession movies.
The Film's Release Sparked Police Incident
On opening day of the film, lines of the novel's fans stretched around city blocks. In Chicago, frustrated moviegoers used a battering ram to gain entry through the double side doors of a theater, according to the New York Times.
"It was like a riot," said Ralph Bailey, one of six night‐time uniformed security guards at the theater. "We had to cancel the showing."
"Mr. Bailey, by the way, said he had been offered bribes as high as $110 to let people jump to the head of the line," the New York Times said.
What Is 'The Exorcist' About?
The film (and novel) focus on a 12-year-old girl's possession and subsequent exorcism.
"When a charming 12-year-old girl takes on the characteristics and voices of others, doctors say there is nothing they can do. As people begin to die, the girl's mother realizes her daughter has been possessed by the devil--and that her daughter's only possible hope lies with two priests and the ancient rite of demonic exorcism," the tagline of the film reads.
Blatty made slight tweaks from the original true story.
It was based on the true story of Ronald Hunkeler, who became better known as Ronald Doe, a 13-year-old boy who began exhibiting disturbing behavior that left his parents baffled and terrified.
Doe would be calm during the day, but at night he'd launch into wild outbursts and enter a trance-like state.
"After getting nowhere with doctors, his horrified parents brought him to where their relatives lived in St. Louis and called in Jesuit priests to carry out a harrowing series of exorcisms," All Things Interesting wrote. "As they desperately tried to wrest the demons from his body, they claimed that the boy's bed moved on its own, slid violently across the room, and knocked them over."
After seven minutes of exorcism, Doe simply said, "he's gone."
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This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published June 6, 2026 at 6:23 AM.