MovieChat Forums > The Exorcist III (1990) Discussion > William Peter Blatty dies at 89

William Peter Blatty dies at 89

posted 8 years ago by jaypay111
4 replies | jump to latest

We lost yet another horror legend last night.

William Peter Blatty, who wrote the 1971 “The Exorcist” novel and 1973 feature, passed away last night.

This devastating news was shared by William Friedkin, who directed the feature adaptation of The Exorcist, widely considered the scariest movie ever made.

Blatty may be best known for The Exorcist, but his contributions are much greater. He’s also the director behind the 1980 cult classic The Ninth Configuration, starring Stacy Keach, Scott Wilson, and The Exorcist‘s Jason Miller.

He would work with Miller once again in the 1990 The Exorcist III, which would finally see a director’s cut release last year through Scream Factory under the original title, Legion.

His novels include “Which Way to Mecca, Jack?” (1959), “John Goldfarb, Please Come Home” (1963), “I, Billy Shakespeare! 1965, Twinkle, Twinkle, ), “Killer), ” Kane” (1966), “The Exorcist” (1971), “The Ninth Configuration” (1978), “Legion” (1983), “Demons Five, Exorcists Nothing: A Fable” (1996), and “Dimiter” (2010).

The writer-director would celebrate his 89th birthday this past January 7th. The cause of death is unknown at this time.

http://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3421108/exorcist-writer-william-peter-blatty-passed-away-last-night/

[–] balthazar_bee 8 years ago

After raising so many questions about the nature of humanity, existence, divinity and transcendence, it's hard to imagine that someone like Blatty could simply "die" like the rest of us.

Maybe he'll give us a sign.

I'm only partly kidding about this; if I find a St. Christopher medal under my pillow, I'll let you know.

[–] bastasch8647 8 years ago

Balthazar - Nice post.

:)

[–] AFriendOfMrWhite 8 years ago

Bastasch, since you are clearly a fan of Blatty's work, have you ever read any of his other books not related to the so-called Trilogy of Faith, such as "Dimiter" or "Elsewhere"? If so, did you like them?

[–] bastasch8647 8 years ago

I'm primarily a fan of his Exorcist material (books, interviews, etc.), not so much of his other stuff. For that reason, I haven't read much of his other fiction.

I thought Twinkle, Twinkle, Killer Kane was alright, although I don't care much for the film The Ninth Configuration.

Dimiter did not hold my interest so I didn't even finish it.

Elsewhere was readable as a once-through, but the ending was mediocre and predictable, so I never added it to my library. I haven't read any of his other books - except I'll Tell Them I Remember you, but that was a thin stew autobiographically speaking and not too interesting. So naturally I withhold judgment on the ones I have not read. I have always enjoyed his screenplays, especially as they pertain to comedy.

I have wished over the decades that WPB could have/would have contributed essays to Catholic magazines such as Commonweal and other high-grade publications, Christian and secular. God knows that The Exorcist, both novel and film, generated a huge amount of articles and interviews, so I would like to have seen Blatty himself contributing to that mass of Exorcist-related writing - you know: articles and essays straight from the author's mouth...