A troubled priest attempts to exorcise the soul of a tourist who has been possessed by the Devil after witnessing supernatural events at a Spanish villa.A troubled priest attempts to exorcise the soul of a tourist who has been possessed by the Devil after witnessing supernatural events at a Spanish villa.A troubled priest attempts to exorcise the soul of a tourist who has been possessed by the Devil after witnessing supernatural events at a Spanish villa.
Telly Savalas
- Leandro
- (archive footage)
Sylva Koscina
- Sophia Lehar
- (archive footage)
- (as Silva Koscina)
Alessio Orano
- Max
- (archive footage)
Gabriele Tinti
- George
- (archive footage)
Kathleen Leone
- Tourist
- (as Kathy Leone)
Eduardo Fajardo
- Francis Lehar
- (archive footage)
Franz von Treuberg
- Shopkeeper
- (archive footage)
Espartaco Santoni
- Carlo
- (archive footage)
Alida Valli
- Countess
- (archive footage)
Andrea Esterhazy
- American Tourist
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThough it's already listed as being connected with Woody Allen's Annie Hall, which shows The House of Exorcism as a twin-bill on a marquee, it's actually worked into a visual punchline since Woody's character, Alvy Singer, hates Los Angeles, and jovial Christmas music plays while this marquee, along with Messiah of Evil is shown, is shown, representing Alvy's feelings.
- Alternate versionsThe original name and version of this film is Lisa and the Devil. House of Exorcism turns the film more into an Exorcist rip off film, where the original version, done solely by Mario Bava, is much stranger and surreal. The original version has a final scene on an airplane that is missing.
- ConnectionsEdited from Lisa and the Devil (1973)
- SoundtracksConcerto of Aranjuez
Composed by Joaquín Rodrigo (as Rodrigo)
Directed by Paul Mauriat
Philips record L 6444'504
Featured review
Come for the House, stay for the lovely Lisa and her Devils...
Mario Bava is my personal favorite director of all times. And not just via photo-finish, but literally with miles ahead of my second favorite director, which is Lucio Fulci. Back when I started to develop an interest for Bava's work, in 2004 or so, I vividly remember that "Lisa and the Devil" was difficult to find, while "The House of Exorcism" was the more easily available version for purchase. Via an obscure French label, however, I found Bava's original masterpiece (in an awesome boxset together with "Baron Blood" and "Hatchet for the Honeymoon"), so I never bothered to search for the much hacked-up version that the great Bava dissociated himself from.
Now, since it's more than 15 years later and time for an urgent re-watch, I figured to give "The House of Exorcism" a shot. The story behind both film versions is actually a very sad and tragic one, especially if you're an avid admirer of Italy's most visionary director. With "Lisa and the Devil", Mario Bava finally received complete freedom - artistically as well as financially - to make the film he wanted to make, but for some incomprehensible reason, the critics and audiences weren't enthusiast. Shame, because the film truly remains a superbly atmospheric and fascinating piece of gothic horror. Producer, and former friend, Alfredo Leone understandably wanted to recuperate a part of his unsuccessful investment, and since "The Exorcist" rip-offs were trending massively at the time, Leone directed some additional footage and re-released the film. Suddenly, as a result of her encounters in the strange mansion, Lisa is possessed with the devil (who may or not be Telly Savalas in the flesh) and Robert Alda joins the cast as the priest charged with the exorcism.
"The House of Exorcism" is a rehash, pure and simple. The original footage of "Lisa and the Devil" is still brilliant, but less powerful and a lot more incoherent. The additional footage represents everything what Bava despises: unoriginal plot, stolen ideas, gratuitous nudity and unnecessary profanity. A clash of styles is what this is.
Now, since it's more than 15 years later and time for an urgent re-watch, I figured to give "The House of Exorcism" a shot. The story behind both film versions is actually a very sad and tragic one, especially if you're an avid admirer of Italy's most visionary director. With "Lisa and the Devil", Mario Bava finally received complete freedom - artistically as well as financially - to make the film he wanted to make, but for some incomprehensible reason, the critics and audiences weren't enthusiast. Shame, because the film truly remains a superbly atmospheric and fascinating piece of gothic horror. Producer, and former friend, Alfredo Leone understandably wanted to recuperate a part of his unsuccessful investment, and since "The Exorcist" rip-offs were trending massively at the time, Leone directed some additional footage and re-released the film. Suddenly, as a result of her encounters in the strange mansion, Lisa is possessed with the devil (who may or not be Telly Savalas in the flesh) and Robert Alda joins the cast as the priest charged with the exorcism.
"The House of Exorcism" is a rehash, pure and simple. The original footage of "Lisa and the Devil" is still brilliant, but less powerful and a lot more incoherent. The additional footage represents everything what Bava despises: unoriginal plot, stolen ideas, gratuitous nudity and unnecessary profanity. A clash of styles is what this is.
helpful•10
- Coventry
- Apr 21, 2021
- How long is The House of Exorcism?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Devil in the House of Exorcism
- Filming locations
- Madrid, Spain(exteriors only)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 32 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1
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By what name was The House of Exorcism (1975) officially released in Canada in English?
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