In the first episode of Old Movies - the world’s first film podcast - novelist Julia Armfield joins Paul to discuss the most infamous horror movie of all time: The Exorcist. In a wide-ranging chat on the film from two card-carrying Exorcist nerds, topics covered include the creative and ideological tension underpinning the between Williams Peter Blatty and Friedkin, the heroic portrayal of the priesthood, its complex treatment of women both on and off screen, and much more besides. There’s even a space for Julia to get off some scorching hot takes on modern horror movie darlings towards the end (with some spoilers along the way). Expect a lot of enthusing, plenty of not-so-subtle Simpsons references, and good evil vibes.
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FURTHER READING/WATCHING:

Julia’s essay ‘Guts’: https://www.thewhitereview.org/feature/guts/

Friedkin and Blatty’s 1998 interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_N2497Puec

The infamous French and Saunders Exorcist parody (DO NOT WATCH): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BczGvH60a38

Julia’s Substack on Weapons: https://substack.com/home/post/p-172717459

Tickets to Julia’s event with M. John Harrison at the London Review of Books Bookshop: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/m-john-harrison-julia-armfield-the-end-of-everything-tickets-1987073081076

Buy Highway to Hell from Radiance Films: https://www.radiancefilms.co.uk/products/highway-to-hell-le