The iconic American supernatural horror film was released in 1973. Director William Friedkin adapted the 1971 novel by William Peter Blatty, who also wrote the screenplay. The story centers on a girl possessed by a demon and the exorcism performed by two Catholic priests to save her soul. Principal photography began on August 14, 1972. Although the film is set in Washington, D.C., a significant portion of the interior scenes were shot in New York. The interiors of the MacNeil family home were recreated at CECO Studios in Manhattan. Scenes with Father Karras's mother were filmed at Bellevue Hospital, and the episode where he listens to Regan's recordings was shot in a basement at Fordham University, where one of the film's consultants, Father O'Malley, taught. The opening scenes of the film were shot in Iraq — in Mosul and at the archaeological site of the ancient city of Hatra. Despite the lack of diplomatic relations between the US and Iraq at the time, William Friedkin managed to negotiate filming directly with representatives of the ruling Ba'ath Party. One of the conditions was the mandatory participation and training of locals in film production. Filming took place in extreme heat — up to 54°C (129°F) during the day, which limited work to dawn and dusk hours. The facade of the MacNeil house was filmed at the intersection of 36th Street and Prospect Street in Washington, D.C. For the attic scenes, a temporary mansard roof was added. The legendary staircase down which Father Karras falls in the finale was covered with a layer of rubber for the stuntman's safety, and to ensure the exact direction of the fall, the crew built an additional facade of the house closer to the stairs.

Filming Locations:

Ruins of the City of Hatra

In the Film

The scene where in northern Iraq, Father Lankester Merrin participates in an archaeological excavation of the ancient city of Hatra. During the work, he discovers a stone talisman with the image of a winged demonic creature. The find disturbs him.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the actual ruins of the ancient city of Hatra, located in the desert part of northern Iraq, about 80 kilometers southwest of Mosul. This ancient fortified city, founded around the 3rd century BC, was an important religious and commercial center of the Parthian and later Roman eras.

Catholic School

In the Film

The scene where actress Chris MacNeil participates in filming a movie directed by her friend Burke Dennings. One of the scenes takes place against the backdrop of a Catholic school and focuses on student protests of the early 1970s.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at Georgetown University — one of the oldest and most picturesque educational institutions in the United States, located in the historic Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The campus architecture is a vivid example of the Neo-Gothic style: massive gray stone facades, towers with pointed spires, stained glass windows, and arched passageways.

Chapel

In the Film

The scene where on the Georgetown University campus, one of the Jesuit priests discovers that a white marble statue of the Virgin Mary has been desecrated with red paint and other materials, taking on the appearance of a harlot. This naturally shocks the priest.

In Reality

The scene was filmed inside Dahlgren Chapel — the first university Catholic chapel in the United States, built in 1893 on the grounds of Georgetown University. Architecturally, it is designed in the Neo-Gothic style, matching the rest of the campus buildings. Since its opening, the chapel has served not only as a place of worship but also as an important symbol of Georgetown's Catholic heritage. Masses, weddings, university ceremonies, and memorial services are regularly held here.