The Exorcist transformed the horror genre in one fell swoop when it was first released more than 50 years ago.

From the moment the film hit cinemas in 1973, movie goers claimed that it was so frightening that theatres had paramedics on standby for audience members. Rumours of people walking out, or even passing out in terror, were rife, as the William Friedkin flick shocked viewers worldwide. But it wasn't just the global audience that were unsettled by the movie, as throughout its production it was blighted by unfortunate incidents.

From the set catching fire to a whole host of deaths, it seemed whatever could go wrong, did go wrong.

The Exorcist follows Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair), a 12-year-old girl who after playing with an Ouija board, becomes possessed by a demonic entity.

Desperate to help her daughter, Regan’s mother enlists the help of two priests to perform an exorcism. What follows is a terrifying ordeal, full of projectile vomiting, colourful language, and an unspeakable act with a crucifix.

Due to the themes it addresses, the strange events that happened on the set and to people involved with the film, it was widely believed to have been cursed.