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Listen to Director William Friedkin speak about The Exorcist's pivotal 10-minute opening sequence filmed in Iraq and the hardships endured by himself and the other cast and crew members. Click on the images next to each interview clip to view accompanying sets of photos, including some exclusive slides taken by Friedkin himself during his time filming in Iraq. Click here or the button below to download Real Player for free.
Introduction  William Friedkin introduces us to the people and places visited during the filming that took place in the town of Mosul. Click here to listen
Prologue 
Father Merrin (played by Max Von Sydow) receives an omen while on an archeological dig in Iraq, forcing him to leave his present work and return to the United States to do battle with an old adversary... Click here to listen
Conditions 
Shooting when midday temperatures got up to 130 degrees in the shade. Click here to listen
Iraq and the Iraqis 
Friedkin talks about how welcoming, open and hospitable the Iraqis were, and how he lost contact with friends during and following the Gulf War. Click here to listen
Monuments 
On the ruins and relics of the great Mesopotamian civilization Click here to listen
Praying 
Friedkin talks about the delicacy of filming Von Sydow in front of a group of Muslims kneeling in prayer. Click here to listen
Assassination Attempts and Dog Fights 
A few anecdotes of political intrigue and the dietary habits of Iraqi dogs Click here to listen
Makeup Hell 
Max Von Sydow's daily two-and-a-half-hour make-up process finally drives him close to the edge. Click here to listen
Madness 
The long shoot in Iraq begins to get to William Friedkin as well. Click here to listen
T.V. on Saturday Night 
Friedkin watches a communal gathering on a Saturday night -- people in front of a tea house watching bootleg television shows in English on an old black and white set -- and talks about the effect it had on his visual presentation of the prologue of The Exorcist. Click here to listen
Experiences 
Difficulties in the routine of shooting in Iraq. Click here to listen
Conclusion 
Friedkin concludes with reflections on his experiences 27 years ago in Iraq and the fate of the people with whom he worked. Click here to listen |