MovieChat Forums > The Exorcist III (1990) Discussion > RE: this movie's link to a real-life se...

RE: this movie's link to a real-life serial killer

posted 8 years ago by wylierichardson-966-922691
8 replies | jump to latest

It hasn't been mentioned on these boards yet, and I haven't seen it listed in the movie's Trivia section, either. But this movie has a link to a notorious criminal. When the last would-be victim of Jeffrey Dahmer was trapped in his apartment, Jeffrey forced him to watch a videotape of this movie with him. It was one of the last things Jeffrey did as a free man. The would-be victim - named Tracey Edwards - escaped, flagged down some cops, and the rest is history.

Makes you wonder - would Jeffrey have refrained from trying to kill Tracey if he been watching, say, "Driving Miss Daisy" instead? lol

[–] bastasch8647 8 years ago

Dourif's performance would be gripping to most normal audiences but to a genuine sociopath like JD... the possibilities are endless.

Also, the original Exorcist featured on-screen serial killer Paul Bateson, an arteriogram technician who can be seen in that part of the film. Creepy, but I know of no connection between his work in the Friedkin film and his crime spree...!

[–] Edward_de_Vere 8 years ago

Also, the original Exorcist featured on-screen serial killer Paul Bateson, an arteriogram technician who can be seen in that part of the film. Creepy, but I know of no connection between his work in the Friedkin film and his crime spree

He became the inspiration for Friedkin's later film Cruising.

[–] Doom 8 years ago

"Paul Bateson was released from prison in 2004."



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Wait a minute... who am I here?

[–] bastasch8647 8 years ago

"Paul Bateson was released from prison in 2004."

Lordy Lordy Lordy

[–] Edward_de_Vere 8 years ago

"Paul Bateson was released from prison in 2004."

In other words, under the "3 strikes you're out" law, a person could serve a lifetime prison sentence for three relatively minor drug charges, while someone like Bateson who kills and cuts up people for fun spends only 25 years behind bars. Our criminal justice system at work!

[–] bastasch8647 8 years ago

He became the inspiration for Friedkin's later film Cruising.

Fascinating - I hadn't known that...!

[–] Edward_de_Vere 8 years ago

I just checked Bateson's profile, and he's listed as an uncredited consultant for Cruising. Presumably either Friedkin or the screenwriter interviewed him about the murders while making the film.

[–] bastasch8647 8 years ago

Creepy touch - I suppose it's justified in the search for authenticity. There's a between-takes photo of Bateson giving Blair a shoulder rub - but of course due to his typical M.O., she was probably not in any danger, but it's just the idea...