The Exorcist (novel) The Exorcist (novel) The Exorcist is a 1971 horror novel by American writer William Peter Blatty. The book details the demonic possession of twelve-year-old Regan MacNeil, the daughter of a famous actress, and the two priests who attempt to exorcise the demon. Published by Harper & Row, the novel was the basis of a highly successful film adaption released two years later, whose screenplay was also written and produced by Blatty, and part of "The Exorcist" franchise. The novel was inspired by a 1949 case of demonic possession and exorcism that Blatty heard about while he was a student in
The Exorcist (film) graphic he wrote, "That it received an R rating and not the X is stupefying." Some theaters provided "Exorcist barf bags". "The Exorcist" was nominated for ten Academy Awards in 1974, winning two. It is the first horror film to be nominated for Best Picture. At the 46th Annual Academy Awards ceremony, the film won two statuettes (highlighted in bold). The film was nominated for: "The Exorcist" was nominated for seven total Golden Globes in 1974. At the 31st Golden Globes ceremony that year, the film won four awards. The film was nominated for Several versions of "The Exorcist" have