See This Movie: The Exorcism of Emily Rose (a.k.a. Analiese Michel in Real Life)
Before you non-scary-movie-people get too turned off by my discussion of yet another so-called horror movie, keep reading.
This one's not really "scary"... it's more like "a supernatural thriller." AND, it's based on fact!
It's about a case in the 1970's where the Catholic church agreed to allow exorcisms, and in the end, the girl died. At which point, the Church discontinued exorcisms, only to begin offering them again later!
When I first heard about the movie "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" a couple months ago, I rolled my eyes because I figured this movie about exorcisms was probably just some sorry attempt to take a few factual accounts and try to make an Exorcist IV or something.
Then, weeks later, I saw the previews on TV. While it looked mildly scary, I was more intrigued than anything else.
Finally, I took the time to research this movie AND the person that the movie is based on (Analiese Michel, also spelled "Annelise", "Anneliese") and one thing's for sure: I HAVE to see this movie!
About The Movie: Emily Rose = Analiese Michel
The movie is based on the book called "The Exorcism of Analiese Michel", which details an exorcism performed by Roman Catholic priests on a young girl in 1976.From what I've heard, scary movie fans will be sorely disappointed by this one for its lack of gore and frightful moments.
However, fans of movies in general will appreciate this one mostly for its "story-behind-the-story" perspective.
Here's the official website for the movie (...parts of it are completely freaky).
The Story Behind The Story: Anneliese Michel
In the movie, you get a rare look at a young girl's personal delusions -- from her perspective. Plus, you get to see what took place during the exorcism. You also get a good feel for how the courtroom debate was carried out in this very controversial case.
The controversy stems from the fact that this exorcism was sanctioned by the Church, and that her parents (Anna and Josef Michel) allowed everything to happen as it did.
How The Exorcisms Got Out Of Control
One of the "rituals" Anneliese performed during her delusions was to kneel repeatedly -- up and down, up and down -- until she lost her strength to continue.
Shortly before she died, her parents said she performed nearly 500 deep knee bends in one day. They believed the devil was the source of her power.
After a 10-month series of bi-weekly exorcisms (67 to be exact), Anneliese Michel eventually shattered her kneecaps and starved to death. At the time of her death, she was 23 years old and weighed less than 70 pounds.
Some of the sessions took up to four hours. Forty-two sessions were recorded on tape. Source
This ultimately led to criminal charges being filed against the two priests involved -- for negligent homicide.
Furthermore, many believe that Anneliese was, in effect, murdered by her parents.
In the end, the parents and the two priests were all sentenced to six months in prison (suspended with three years' probation).
Still debated to this day is the degree to which things went wrong with this exorcism.
More About Anneliese Michel Growing Up
Besides the usual actions typically associated with possession -- screaming, self-mutilation, speaking in tongues, destroying religious symbols -- Michel also began sleeping on a stone floor, eating bugs and drinking her own urine. During this time, she also refused to eat, claiming the demons would not let her. Source
An interesting twist:
Analiese Michel is buried in Germany, only 100 feet from the house she lived in. Her mother oversees her grave. Today, it is considered more or less a religious site, visited primarily by Catholics. It is said that many even honor Annelise Michel as an unofficial saint.
The Roman Catholic Church's Stance On Exorcisms Today
The Catholic church has wavered back and forth as to whether or not to perform exorcisms.Following the death of Anneliese the church recanted their permission, stating that she was merely afflicted by mental disorders. In 1996 the Pope removed Rituale Romanum from the approved list of rites and replaced it with his own, called "The Exorcism for the Upcoming Millennium." Source
The current pope (Benedict XVI, Joseph Ratzinger) certainly appears to be in full support of them.
A quote from the New York Times:
"Pope Benedict XVI, who often greets religious groups visiting Rome, made a surprising welcome in his general audience: He offered best wishes to a convention of exorcists, whom he encouraged to "carry on their important work in the service of the church." Details of the convention were not released publicly, but exorcism has gained a more prominent role in the Catholic church in recent years. Pope John Paul II, who died in April, oversaw the rewriting of the ritual for exorcisms and reportedly took part in at least one himself, in 2000. Regina Apostolorum, a top Vatican university, is planning this year to offer another course in exorcism to priests; a course last year proved popular with students."
In early 2005, about 100 Catholic priests signed up for a Vatican-sanctioned course on exorcism, and today the Church’s ranks of official exorcists has swollen to more than 400. Source
Reviews Of The Movie "The Exorcism of Emily Rose"
Catholic News Services -- see what the Catholic viewpoint is.
Don Kaye's Review -- reviewed as a "horror movie".
Paranormal Movie Review -- they call it a "mild horror flick" that's a a cross between "The X-Files" and "Law & Order".
Victoria Alexander's Review -- from someone who believes in demons and the effectiveness of exorcism.
OkayEmily Rose, is a wonderful story, everyone has their say, but according to my theory, they've advertised this on t.v before,haven't they? yes,well, have you ever heard of "False Advertising?". i have. if this movie wasn't true, they wouldn't have been allowed to advertise this on t.v, make websites, fact files, gravestones, anything about anneliese michael. am i right? it's best if the people who know their opinion is right OR wrong, keep it to themselves if you're going to fight back in the greif of emily rose and her unfortunate actions. i've seen this movie, i think it's horrible, but i'm glad that she was put to sleep, so that she wont suffer any longer. R.I.P Annieliese Michel. You will never be forgotten.
bloody hell its 3am!!!
I totaly think Emily is real and I am being attaked by her and Bloody Mary. My friend and I are scared to death about it and will have to deal with it and hate being alone.
WOW THIS IS A REALLY SCARY MOVIE AND I BELIVE IT FREACKED TURE!
i watched this film last night and i think it is 1 of the scariest films i have ever seen, better than the exorcist. i truly beleve that this happened to the girl and that she suffered greatly. This was no mental disorder, it was possesion, no doubt about it.
i am a young catholic woman from wyoming. i watched the exorcism of emily rose on feb. 14 2006. this has personally had me thinking about what science says is true and what my faith tells me. i have been told many stories about demonic possession but have never witnessed any of these. you have to wonder though what the priest in the movies defendent said. is it possible that anneliese could have been possessed? is it possible that there were six demons inside of her? there is a realm between science and faith and none have found what the truths can exactly be. before you think about whether she was or wasnt think about this, what if it happened to you and you knew what was true and noone else? how would you feel about what people said about what you believed? noone else knows what the truth is to anneliese's story. god only knows what happens in our story. think before you act though...could this cause more pain than glory in the end?
That movie is unbelievable and I believe every bit of it I mean honestl who dont believe it. 252-661-7427 CAll ME!
I have seen the movie of emily rose and it was very scarey and I found out that it was a true story and I can't belive that happen to her. never knew that this could happen to anyone.
I really liked how the movie showed the way priests actually perform exorcisums- the best part is when emily screams in the barn
I've seen the film..I actually own it now,but at first the only reason why i decided to get it was juss for entertainment.However,after I realized it was a true story I began to get scared...I began to wonder if this could ever happen to me or any one in my family,but now I know that I shouldn't get frightened, atleast (I think) if you truly believe
that God exists, and that he's everywhere,helping us, you don't have to be scared. It only takes to truly BELIEVE and have FAITH on our savior.This girl suffered through this horrible experience,but we can learn from her. We'll all die some day and in different ways,but we shouldn't be scared cause our lord is never going to abandon us.
I was introduced to god when i was 14 years old i am only 17 now as years went by i learned more and more about himand i gained a big relationship with god. After i saw the film iwas not scared but more anxious to go out and spread the word that the great heavens and demons and GOD is real I waned to enspire everyone to watch it She will be considered as a saint she suffered for us to show us that the power and wrath of god is real to me that is a person who i will look to my who life along with jesus i thank people for thiswebsite and for the film the film will get a good word out about Emily Rose and people will see that god is real.
Sincerely,
Josh Loeffler
its good
I believe this story and i believe she suffered a great deal, this shouldnt happen to anyone but I was brought up to believe that everything has a reason. i was wondering why, but now i know
Emily Rose is the beginning of what is to come.
You see the Word of God is all powerful.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:12
Put on the Whole Armor of God!!!!
Ephesians 6:12-18
Isaiah 45:22
i just watched the movie and it is awesome!
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I just watched the movie and I believe the Devil himself was inside her. She truly is a Saint and should never be forgotten.
Lori
I truly believe that the devil is real. This movie is only a small picture of what the devil can and will do to people. Its a shame that some believe that she was crazy. I truly believe that she was dealing with spirits beyond the human control (medicine) could not heal what she was dealing with. If we read the bible it backs up the part of the movie;when the Priest ask who art thou, in the bible the man was possessed with many.(Mark 1:23-26)& (Matthew 8:28-34).
Thank you for your website.
Be Blessed
As soon as i heard about the film all the way from london to ma country nigeria,4rm a friend,i knew it was one terrifying down to earth film and so went on to the net to get a copy even before it was out on dvds u know cinema verions(its nigeria we dont get arrested 4 such cos its a lawless society)anyways the film was intriguing cos i was like "did this actually happen to someone within ma agebracket at that time)God that gurl rilli suffered.....was terrified all thru da film dat i cudnt sleep in am room dat night,not cos of the film freaky pictures,but cos of those words i heard which still sink into ma head...cos its a realife story well its all good 2 know that demons rilli exist especially in naija....esosa omodamwen(iuo varsity)
I have just watched Emily Rose, and i am in two minds about it , did the devil really take over her soul or was she just crazy and needed medical help, i believe she needed more medical help than the help of the church!!!
as i watched the movie on some parts i thought that i really did happen to a young girl and some people was laughing but as the laugh i begin to think about it whil the laughing this could happen to them.I am olny 12 years but i love to listen to and watch real movies but now i watch will the movie over and over Sincerly Davania Jackson a 12 year old child tha cares about realstict movies.
it is really bad and i hope it doesnt happen to anyone else. she was a good girl until the demon got into her. thank you for more info. the movie has different stuff.
thank you for your info on this. I just watched the movie and got on line to learn a little more about the true story behind the movie.