William Peter Blatty was born on 7 January 1928. He died at the age of 89, shortly after his birthday. I bring it up only because he clearly had the time to direct more than two films!
Today, we know Blatty mostly as a novelist. In particular, he wrote the novel The Exorcist. But he wrote a lot of screenplays. He’s like William Goldman. He was successful as a screenwriter and a novelist. But I’m highlighting him today as a film director.
Blatty wrote the screenplay for and produced The Exorcist. It’s a great film and I don’t think any film of that type has matched it. But I have no interest in ever watching it again.
If you are only going to direct two films, you should make them great. Blatty did!
In 1980, he produced, directed, and wrote (based on his novel) The Ninth Configuration. It’s hard to classify. I tend to think of it as a horror film but it isn’t by most definitions. Most of the film is pure insanity, which makes sense given it takes place in an asylum. It’s an easy film to put on for 10 minutes, starting anywhere. You’re sure to be entertained.
Ten years later, Blatty directed and wrote (based on his novel Legion) The Exorcist III. This film never gets old. It is scary with interesting ideas and great characters. But don’t take my word for it. Owen Gleiberman hated it. And he is pretty much always wrong. If you find that you agree with him about a film, you need to rethink the film.
No one should leave this universe without watching both of William Peter Blatty’s films. So I’m going to embed both of them. First, The Ninth Configuration.
And second, The Exorcist III.
William Peter Blatty via Vanity Fair under Fair Use.