History's Mysteries: Exorcising the Devil (1999) Reviews

This program is part of the popular series from the History Channel that investigates some of civilization's unsolved mysteries and controversies. The Catholic Church has a doctrine which recognizes that sometimes the presence of evil can only be eradicated by exorcism. The historical use of this extreme measure by the Christian tradition is the subject of this episode. In the New Testament, Jesus attests to the authority His followers have for casting out demons. Since then, exorcisms have taken place and changed the lives of many. The documentary examines the case of the boy whose exorcism inspired William Peter Blatty's book, The Exorcist. Other accounts, archival photographs, and scholarly commentary tell the story of exorcising the Devil. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, Rovi