Boorman And The Devil - Jennie Kermode - 20277

Key Takeaways

• Documentary revisits John Boorman's 1977 flop 'Exorcist 2'.
• Director David Kittredge condenses decades of material into 112 minutes.
• Film explores technical innovations like early Steadicam and ghost glass.
• Highlights Boorman's candid reflections, showing creative resilience.
• Provides lessons for filmmakers on extracting value from failures.

Summary

The new documentary "Boorman And The Devil" by David Kittredge examines John Boorman’s ill‑fated 1977 horror sequel "Exorcist 2: The Heretic", piecing together interviews, production archives, and technical analysis into a 112‑minute film. It reveals the behind‑the‑scenes challenges—including early Steadicam use, elaborate set design, and a rushed Ennio Morricone score—that contributed to the movie’s notorious reception. Boorman, now in his nineties, appears unusually open, reflecting on personal setbacks and the film’s hidden artistic merits. The documentary premiered at the 2026 Glasgow Film Festival, positioning itself as a case study for creators confronting failure.

Pulse Analysis

John Boorman’s reputation as a visionary director has long been anchored by classics such as "Deliverance" and "Excalibur". "Boorman And The Devil" leverages that legacy, turning a notorious box‑office disaster into a teaching tool. By weaving together rare archival footage, interviews with cast members like Linda Blair and Louise Fletcher, and a deep dive into the film’s troubled production, the documentary taps into a growing appetite for behind‑the‑scenes storytelling that streaming platforms and festivals increasingly monetize.

Beyond nostalgia, the film spotlights technical milestones that pre‑date mainstream adoption. Early Steadicam rigs, innovative ghost‑glass effects, and a pressure‑cooked Ennio Morricone score illustrate how experimental approaches can both elevate and jeopardize a project. For producers and cinematographers, these case studies underscore the importance of balancing artistic ambition with realistic budgeting and schedule buffers—lessons that resonate across today’s high‑stakes content pipelines.

From a business perspective, documentaries that re‑examine cinematic failures open new revenue streams for legacy studios and rights holders. By repackaging a 1970s flop into a marketable intellectual property, distributors can attract both cinephiles and industry insiders, driving ancillary sales, licensing deals, and brand revitalization. Moreover, the film’s emphasis on learning from mistakes aligns with corporate training trends, positioning it as a valuable resource for creative leadership programs. In an era where content risk is scrutinized, "Boorman And The Devil" demonstrates how transparent storytelling can turn past setbacks into future strategic assets.