In the Grip of Evil

In the Grip of Evil


Starring:Dustin Lawyer, Joe Kelly, Debs Szymkowiak, Tony Colavito, Ellen Strauss, Jill Redding, Von Hardesty, Richard Henrich, Herman Kemper, Mark Redfield, Nelson Smith, Lee Bevans, Robert Doxzen, John Howell, William Friedkin, Francis X. Cleary, Daniel O'Connell, Sergio Rueda, Jeffrey Burton Russell, Walter H. Halloran
Director: Charles Vanderpool
Studio: Winstar
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Is there any validity to the supernatural phenomenon of demonic possession? Or can such instances be explained through psychology and science? Charles Vanderpool's fascinating documentary-docudrama, In the Grip of Evil, successfully argues the definite possibility of demonic possession by recounting the alleged 1949 case of a 13-year-old boy that inspired William Peter Blatty's bestselling novel (and, later, blockbuster film adaptation) The Exorcist. Vanderpool aligns a range of interviews, from William Friedkin (director of The Exorcist) to supernatural "experts" to, most convincingly, one of the priests that actually took part in the exorcism. (Their views are countered only by one doubting psychologist, so the documentary is hardly objective.) Unfortunately, Vanderpool also felt the need to use cheesy re-creations of the events, thereby lessening the film's dramatic grip. Regardless of which side of the argument you eventually believe, In the Grip of Evil still leaves you feeling a bit creepy. The DVD is packed with supporting evidence of demonic possession, including the case-study diary of Father Halloran (one of the two priests who conducted the exorcism), newspaper accounts of the events, and interviews with the filmmakers. Those with a DVD-ROM drive can read all the newspaper articles and all the original letters, and print out several versions of the case study. --Dave McCoy
In the Grip of Evil
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • only for exorcists addicts
  • Reasonably good
  • Not An Authoritative Documentary
  • It will make a Believer Out of You!!!!!
  • this DVD comes through on extras
 In the Grip of Evil
Starring: Dustin Lawyer , Joe Kelly , Debs Szymkowiak , Tony Colavito , and Ellen Strauss
Director: Charles Vanderpool
Manufacturer: Winstar
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6305228914
Release Date: 1999-03-23

Amazon.com

Is there any validity to the supernatural phenomenon of demonic possession? Or can such instances be explained through psychology and science? Charles Vanderpool's fascinating documentary-docudrama, In the Grip of Evil, successfully argues the definite possibility of demonic possession by recounting the alleged 1949 case of a 13-year-old boy that inspired William Peter Blatty's bestselling novel (and, later, blockbuster film adaptation) The Exorcist. Vanderpool aligns a range of interviews, from William Friedkin (director of The Exorcist) to supernatural "experts" to, most convincingly, one of the priests that actually took part in the exorcism. (Their views are countered only by one doubting psychologist, so the documentary is hardly objective.) Unfortunately, Vanderpool also felt the need to use cheesy re-creations of the events, thereby lessening the film's dramatic grip. Regardless of which side of the argument you eventually believe, In the Grip of Evil still leaves you feeling a bit creepy. The DVD is packed with supporting evidence of demonic possession, including the case-study diary of Father Halloran (one of the two priests who conducted the exorcism), newspaper accounts of the events, and interviews with the filmmakers. Those with a DVD-ROM drive can read all the newspaper articles and all the original letters, and print out several versions of the case study. --Dave McCoy

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars only for exorcists addicts.......2005-11-09

"In The Grip of Evil" gives information on the original case underlying the horror-classic "the exorcist". Besides the fact, that is indeed spooky that the movie is somehow based on real grounds, the documentation lacks of this tension.
i can recommend this dvd therefore only to total exorcist-freaks (as me;-))
additionally (or alternatively) i would rather suggest to gather information on the "original" case.
[...]

4 out of 5 stars Reasonably good.......2004-10-31

I have the VHS and most of the facts are correct, as far as I can tell. It isn't supposed to be a "sensationalized" effort. In fact, from all I have seen of the video, it's presented in a very matter-of-fact way.

They're not looking to make "believers" out of people, but present what happened along with a critique from both sides of the issue.

Granted, I wouldn't be watching this for the same purpose as I would the Exorcist. The Exorcist was meant to scare the bejeezers out of you, and this seems to be designed to inform. All in all, well worth the money they charge.

2 out of 5 stars Not An Authoritative Documentary.......2002-11-04

In The Grip Of Evil is an interesting little snippet of American occultism, but hardly an authoritative documentary on exorcism in the United States. However, the DVD may lead the viewer to take a more in depth look at occultism. If that's the case, I recommend Michael Cueno's book American Exorcism: Expelling Demons In The Land Of Plenty.

5 out of 5 stars It will make a Believer Out of You!!!!!.......2002-03-11

I have all the exorcist Movies and this really does a great job of explaining all the beginning to end details. If the Original movie of the 70's doesn't get you back to church, this documentary, sure will!!!!!

4 out of 5 stars this DVD comes through on extras.......2001-01-25

It's not often you see a good documentary and then get access to the sources used to make it. I was quite impressed with this DVD and the story. It is much better done than your typical documentary fare.

To address the previous reviewer, I checked out the DVD of this documentary and I think they got it pretty much right. The DVD includes the diary of the exorcist priest and letters and newspaper clippings that corroborate all the locations mentioned in the film. If your basis for fact checking is the internet, I'm not at all surprised you think this film is wrong. Check the real sources.

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