MusicChat It's complicated... I really like the directing, acting and writing but, there are issues with the way it's shot that I just can't deny. As much as I love the storytelling and the fantastic performance but, there are also certain scenes that didn't need to exist.

Kailansorac Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Scarlet The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

jonkennethdear Https://viewsfromahill.com/2018/02/22/foreign-countries-16-the-possession-of-joel-delaney-1972/

Scott LeBrun "The Possession of Joel Delaney" is another of those interesting little films that's worthy of more attention than it probably usually gets. Despite the presence of the word "possession" in the title, it's not that much of a horror film, although it has some very creepy and uncomfortable moments. It's a deliberately paced thriller with a fair amount of social commentary and which gives the viewer a look into the religion of Santeria. A gorgeous Shirley MacLaine stars as Norah Benson, an affluent NYC resident who dotes on her devil may care younger brother Joel (Perry King, who gets an official "introducing" credit here). Soon into this story Joel starts acting out a lot, sometimes ranting in Spanish, and Norah discovers that an unkind spirit has taken over his body. Those with short attention spans may find their mind wandering as this story (scripted by Matt Robinson and Irene Kamp, based on a novel by Ramona Stewart) takes its time to play out, but some may find it fascinating as it takes a main character who's actually a little bit of a snob and forces her to enter a world that she may never have known had fate not intervened. Director Waris Hussein has a field day with all of the little details that go into telling this tale, and gets fine performances out of his cast. MacLaine is wonderful as a woman willing to do anything to help her tortured sibling, while King is completely convincing in delineating two different personalities. Among the supporting cast are David Elliott and Lisa Kohane as Norahs' children, Lovelady Powell as the psychiatrist, Barbara Trentham as Joels' lady friend, Miriam Colon as Norahs' maid, and Edmundo Rivera Alvarez as the occult expert to whom Norah turns for help. There are some truly macabre occurrences here, such as the sight of a severed head hanging by its hair, but the climax is some extremely twisted stuff; just the fact that it involves the possessed Joel making his young nephew strip naked is unnerving beyond belief. This may well leave a bad taste in the mouths of the audience. But overall the film is nothing if not intriguing and it delivers a reasonably effective, very '70s ending. Controvery aside (we all know there's no way something like this would be allowed today), this stands up as an absorbing enough viewing that relies on atmosphere and performance rather than special effects or spectacle. Seven out of 10.

BogieandBacallfan I recently just heard of this 70's cult-classic, and some were trying to compare it to or put it in the same realm as the 1973 masterpiece "The Exorcist." Let's be honest here...the ONLY thing that "The Possession of Joel Delaney" and "The Exorcist" have in common is that both do deal with the subject of possession. Other than that "Possession of Joel" does not even come close to an ink-ling of being in the same realm as "The Exorcist." However, this 70's horror flick is pretty good for low-budget and the topic it deals with. There are plenty of bizarre and freaky moments, and the slow mental collapse/possession of 'Joel' was amazingly portrayed by a very young Perry King! Shirley MacLaine also gives a very excellent performance as the somewhat weird and mentally troubled 'Norah'.But, the actor I had the most respect for, and thought truly had to go through a humiliating/horrifying experience, and handled it professionally (especially at his young age at the time) was David Elliot. He was the young 13 year old son of MacLaine and had to strip naked (exposing himself entirely) after the possessed Joel forced him to dance naked around the house to terrify him. That had to be embarrassing and I'm surprised they allowed it...but he handled the situation and that scene like a pro. This scene is also somewhat shocking and makes this film remembered among horror movie fans.Overall...again don't expect "The Exorcist", but it is frightening and the character development, filming locations, etc... are excellent! This is a must have for horror fans/collectors!

thinker1691 Fear has always accompanied mankind ever since he took his first steps from the cave. Indeed, man has always been afraid of anything which he cannot understand. From the beginning of time, man has always created his Gods according to his levels of stupidity. Throughout time, science has sought to explain that every phenomenon has a rational explanation. But if Science is slow to understand and explain the strange and unusual, the ignorant will jump to the first conclusion explained by the charlatans among them. A case in point. This movie which preceded The Exorcist by a year, is called " The Possesson of Joel Delaney. " The story is that of a wealthy socialite, named Norah Benson (Shirley MacLain) who discovers her brother Joel (Perry King) is becoming mentally unhinged and is more irrational each day. Those around him believe he is possessed by a violent demon. She tries to help by calling on modern doctors and specialists. Because they are unable to cure him immediately, she desperately turns to magic, medicine men and voodoo healers. Despite their beads, rattles, chants and magical incantations, they too remain powerless to help. Finally, she is advised to leave the city and flee before her brother becomes a danger to her children, Peter and Carrie (David Elliott and Lisa Kohane) Unfortunate the dark drama of this film multiplies as Joel pursues her sister and the children to a beach house where in his demented state he plans to murder them. The incredible movie is superb in it's selection of MacClain, Perry, Elliott, Kohane and Michael Horden. The controversial scenes which were used by critics to condemned this film are mostly in the small minds of myopic censors who have never beheld anything stranger than a cat and dog fight. For the majority of audiences, the movie becomes a Classic and a milestone in the long journey away from censorship. An excellent film for the open-minded not afraid to take giant steps away from the cave door. ****