Summary
- The Exorcist spider walk scene, initially deleted from the film's release, was restored later, delighting fans who consider it a favorite sequence.
- Director William Friedkin felt the scene was a big special effect too early in the story, but later reinserted the scene using CGI to erase wires.
- The inclusion of the spider walk scene changes the entire movie, adding evidence of Regan's possession and ramping up tension in the film.
The Exorcist spider walk scene where Regan comes down the stairs toward her horrified mother and her house guests is infamous - but wasn't in the original version. Here's why The Exorcist spider walk scene was deleted from the theatrical cut, then later restored. Often cited as one of the greatest and scariest horror films ever made, The Exorcist still remains the benchmark for demonic possession movies nearly 50 years after its release. Based on the William Peter Blatty novel, The Exorcist was a critical and commercial hit, and one of the rare horror movies to reach renown outside genre aficionados.
The Exorcist franchise is full of iconic moments, including Regan's head twisting around 360 degrees or the notorious Crucifix scene. It's uncertain how many of these memorable scenes could be included in the David Gordon Green Exorcist sequel. One Exorcist moment that took decades to get noticed was The Exorcist spider walk scene, in which Regan walks backward down the stairs on her hands with a mouthful of blood. The reason it went under the radar is that The Exorcist spider walk was deleted from the film's initial 1974 release, only being restored later.
Why The Exorcist Deleted (Then Restored) Regan's Spider Walk
The Exorcist spider walk wasn't in the original 1974 movie because the director wasn't happy with the practical effects available at the time. The Exorcist spider walk scene wasn't performed by Linda Blair, but instead by stuntwoman Ann Miles. There were actually two versions of The Exorcist scene filmed, one closer to the book, in which Regan flips over and crawls at Sharon, as well as displays a snake-like tongue. The other version, which more people are aware of, has Regan with blood in her mouth at the end. Director William Friedkin, against the wishes of writer Blatty, opted to excise The Exorcist spider walk from the theatrical cut due to several factors.
Mostly, Friedkin felt The Exorcist spider walk scene was too big a special effect so early in the story, that it undercut the impact of Chris MacNeil having just learned of Burke Dennings' death, and that the wires used to make the stunt work were too noticeable and hurt the effect. In 2000, Friedkin put together an extended director's cut of The Exorcist originally subtitled "The Version You've Never Seen." In this cut, director William Friedkin reinserted the bloody version of The Exorcist spider walk, using CGI to erase the wires, and remastering the footage to fit with the rest of the film, much to Blatty's delight.
While many fans were aware of The Exorcist spider walk scene, and it had been included as a deleted scene on a prior DVD release, seeing it cleaned up and put back into the film proper enabled many to see it in a new light, and it's become a favorite sequence of many since. Interestingly though, some fans feel its inclusion creates a plot hole, as if Regan can leave her room and attack at any time, why doesn't she do that? It's a fair criticism, but one most seem willing to overlook.
When Is The Spider Walk Scene In The Exorcist
The Exorcist spider walk scene with the Pazuzu possession happens in the early stages of Regan's possession, between her mother receiving the news of Burke's death and Regan's appointment with a therapist. Chris comes home to Sharon and begins arguing with her over the fact that she left Regan alone to go pick up Thorazine. Sharon remarks that she left Regan with Burke, but apologizes nonetheless. It's at that point that Chuck shows up at the house and informs Chris of Burke's death.
Chris understandably doesn't react well, but while the adults have their backs turned, Regan comes spider-walking down the stairs with her tongue flicking in and out. Chuck leaves before he can see Regan, who then makes a bee-line for Sharon before Chris is able to stop her. The scene then fades out to Regan's visit with the therapist. Surprisingly based on a true story, The Exorcist stairs scene was finally debuted to audiences during a theatrical re-release in 2000. The Exorcist spider walk can also be seen in the director's cut version of the film, but not in a standard cut of the movie.
The Exorcist Spider Walk Scene Changes The Entire Movie
It's amazing how one relatively short sequence can change an entire movie, but The Exorcist spider walk scene drastically improves the film. Regan's possession starts out incredibly slow before she turns fully demonic and her appearance shifts. There are a few moments here and there that signal all is not right with the child, such as her interrupting Chris' party to urinate all over the floor. The Exorcist spider walk scene adds crucial evidence that Regan isn't unwell, and that her possession is genuine, making her transformation a little less sudden.
In addition, The Exorcist stairs scene ramps up the tension ten-fold. While The Exorcist is often regarded as the greatest horror movie of all time, its pacing does suffer a bit at the beginning of the film. This deleted scene would've added more horror in a much-needed space, as well as further convince audiences that Reagan's affliction is indeed demonic possession. The Exorcist spider walk scene is one of the most iconic in the film today, and it's a wonder that the short clip didn't make it into the original cut.
The Exorcist Spider Walk Elsewhere In The Franchise
The Exorcist spider walk was also used later in the franchise. The recreation happened in The Exorcist TV series. The scene happened in the episode titled, "Chapter Six: Star of the Morning," where Father Marcus was looking for a possessed Casey Rance. He ended up in a tunnel full of demonic vagrants, and then he found Casey who immediately scaled a wall and did The Exorcist spider walk back up to Father Marcus before roaring. "This scene I directed: A perfect collaboration of art, camera, stunts, vfx, spfx, producer, Hannah Kasulka + Ben Daniels + guest cast + xtras," Jennifer Phang wrote (via Bloody Disgusting).
The fact that The Exorcist TV show paid honor to The Exorcist spider walk makes it seem like this has now become entrenched as an iconic moment. With that in mind, the David Gordon Green sequel, The Exorcist: Believer, could possibly do the same. In the new movie, there are two little girls possessed, and their families are searching for answers, including bringing back Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) from the first movie to help. Since Chris was who saw the first of The Exorcist spider walk, seeing one of these new girls do the same could really pay off that iconic moment once again on the big screen.