12/1/11

THE HAUNTED BOY FILM & DVD REVIEWS

BOOTH BROTHERS TALK “THE HAUNTED BOY” TO FANGORIA!
Anybody interested in the paranormal ought to consider the Booth Brothers’ portfolio. For the past several years, these flamboyant twin filmmakers (Christopher and Philip) have turned themselves into virtual paranormal archaeologists, traveling to some of America’s most distressed locations to turn over rocks that may be holding down nasty supernatural secrets for documentaries like SPOOKED and CHILDREN OF THE GRAVE. They’re at it again with THE HAUNTED BOY: THE SECRET DIARY OF THE EXORCIST, which just made its DVDebut, and they provided Fango a few exclusive images.

Author William Peter Blatty wrote his classic novel THE EXORCIST with the infamous 1949 case of “possessed” child Robbie Mannheim in mind. THE HAUNTED BOY utilizes a diary kept by Raymond J. Bishop, one of the priests who was witness to the events, like a map, as it guides the Booths (who also created the fact-based feature film DEATH TUNNEL) from relatives of the priests and Robbie—who is still alive and well—to a variety of locations, from churches to the home where the symptoms first started.

“These are the real people, telling the real stories,” Philip tells Fango of the project, which took two and a half years to complete. Adds Christopher, “We were very lucky to realize that nobody has ever gone into the real house—never mind done a paranormal investigation.”

The brothers’ previous documentary THE POSSESSED touched on Robbie’s ordeal, but the brothers decided to delve deeper with THE HAUNTED BOY. “It was just too strong a subject—we thought it would hurt THE POSSESSED and that THE POSSESSED would water down the exorcist story,” Philip explains. “We thought, ‘Let’s separate the two,’ and started getting more footage, more interviews, more research—and we said, ‘Oh my God, look at this story.’ And of course, the diary came into it.”

Forensic psychiatrist Thomas Sachy got his hands on Bishop’s journal some time ago, when it was authentically and legitimately copied for him to use as professional reference material. “Chris got access to the diary from [Sachy], who uses it as an example for basically trying to judge whether something is physically wrong in somebody’s brain, as opposed to mentally,” Philip says. “When we got a copy and read that diary, we thought, ‘This really makes the original movie with Linda Blair seem pretty tame.”

Excerpts from the diary are woven throughout the documentary, though it isn’t necessarily the primary focus. THE HAUNTED BOY features a wealth of interviews, from Ouija-board victims (yes, it’s relevant here) to priests to demonologists. There are also scenes utilizing EVP in the Alexian Bros. Hospital, where Robbie’s exorcism was completed and where the diary was originally found. Exorcism aficionados will be interested to learn that several sound clips heard in the film were pulled from an “actual exorcism audio archive,” allowing viewers to hear the cries and wails recorded during various rituals. Most upsetting is learning that some of these recordings derive from the tragic “exorcism” of Anneliese Michel, whose story inspired THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE. Christopher explains that the brothers were granted access to this material by priests, but with a stipulation attached.
“We were not to play the part where they call out the devil by name,” he says, the reasoning being that the priests believed that widely broadcasting direct attention to a force of evil was an unnecessary risk—there was no need to provide such a spirt with any form of mass acknowledgement. Philip adds, “They allowed us [access] but they begged us—‘advised’ is a better word—not to play the part where they address the demon by name. We couldn’t play that, because we felt very strongly that if we were going to put it in the show, we could use the groaning and the moaning and that guttural sound—chilling. So we just said, ‘That’s a good idea—we don’t want to put on a show that promotes evil. We just want to tell the story.’ “THE HAUNTED BOY” TO FANGORIA! By Chris Haberman.

The DVD includes behind-the-scenes material, featurettes, deleted scenes and other bonuses, and those who order the first 1,000 copies will also receive a copy of Bishop’s diary. Head to the film’s website to learn more at www.thehauntedboy.com


THE HAUNTED BOY: THE SECRET DIARY OF “THE EXORCIST” DVD review By Alyne Pustanio.

“While filming a haunted asylum in St. Louis, Missouri, documentary filmmakers uncover a secret diary of the infamous 1949 exorcism involving a 13 year-old boy possessed by the devil that later inspired the book and movie, ‘The Exorcist’. Utilizing hi-tech paranormal gadgetry along with a legion of supernatural experts, they search out to capture the scariest entity known to man, ‘The Unholy Ghost’. Nothing you have ever seen or heard before gets you closer to the ungodly truth of what really happened in this most terrifying, best selling story of all time! This is the untold-real story of ‘The Exorcist,’ a chronicle of true events based on the actual priest’s secret diary the world was not to see, Until Now!” – Spooked Productions

In The Haunted Boy paranormal “dream-team” filmmakers Christopher Saint Booth and Philip Adrian Booth investigate the real-life events that inspired author William Peter Blatty’s book and the wildly-popular film, “The Exorcist” and take us on a journey into a reality that is frightening yet ultimately inspiring.

The Booth Brothers can also be commended for not missing an opportunity to educate the general public about the dangers of the paranormal; the film includes footage of the brothers speaking to a classroom filled with students approximately the same age as the possessed boy when he began experimenting with the Ouija board, the singular object believed responsible for bringing about the harrowing circumstances of the Haunted Boy’s demonic possession and torment. The Booth Brothers also provide further evidence of the dangers of Quija through interviews with individuals who have experienced psychic and physical attacks – even contact with infamous serial killers! – through ignorant experimentation with the board.

The film culminates in a visit to the actual, real-life childhood home of the possessed boy – the place where it all began – and the “pay-off” is a big one! With the help of professionals such as Greg Myers and Sandra Oates of Missouri’s Paranormal Task Force, and medium Vicki Main, R.N. drawing on the help of St. Michael the Archangel, the Booths confront the demonic entities still lurking at the location. Several graphic scenes – including a demonic attack on expert Greg Myers – prove that the Booth Brothers have no fear of “pushing the envelope” when it comes to confronting true evil face-to-face.

Input from individuals such as Father Francis X. Cleary, S.J., and Father W. Faherty, S.J., witnesses to the actual 1949 exorcism, and Thomas Sachy, M.D., a Forensic Criminal Psychiatrist who specializes in the study of genuine possession, and poignant remembrances by relatives such as Eileen Dreyer, the great-niece of Fr. William Bowdern, the man who – in faith alone – faced down the Devil himself, help to round out this thrilling exploration of one of the most enduring and disturbing events in paranormal history.

One viewing of The Haunted Boy should leave no doubt in anyone’s mind that possession by demons is a very real danger to humankind. To their credit, however, the Booth Brothers choose not to allow the darkness of the subject to be all that we take away from the record of their experiences. In the end, The Haunted Boy, for all its oppressive subject-matter and disturbing evidence of the reality of hell, successfully reaffirms in the viewer a faith in the goodness of mankind, and an admiration for the faith and courage those who deal directly with the supernatural must draw on every day.

With moody music created especially for the film by Christopher Saint Booth, paranormal evidence such as real-time EVPs and camera-captures, and disturbing archival, architectural, and expert evidence, the Booth Brothers’ The Haunted Boy is a do-not-miss for Halloween and a must-own for paranormal experts and fans alike. Bravo! Highest Rated DVD to date ~ 5 skulls " A Must See!" " Do not miss this one." --HAUNTED AMERICA TOURS http://www.hauntedamericatours.com/ghosts/hauntedboy.php

For the first time ever we investigate the real Exorcist house and the infamous Haunted Boy's bedroom where this horrific possession and exorcism occurred. Finally someone has gone where I had nightmares about. That infamous movie that kept me from not sleeping for over two decades, I now know the truth. The paranormal evidence is scary but the real family is even scarier. The DVD is packed with bonus features. I was blown away, what more could you ask for. --HORROR FILM NEWS

As a journalist the facts we learn about this case is intense. The filmmakers start with an investigative look into the hidden diary of the real Exorcist and then discover the lost Exorcism Room furniture (bed, desk, cross) said to be haunted and sealed in cold storage. They didn't stop there as they tell us about the boy's bed sheets containing devil's messages. Paranormal evidence includes shadows, EVP's, hot and cold spots, light abnormalities and a cross shaped burn mark on one of the investigators. One Hell of a show. A must see for paranormal and horror fans. --MOVIES ONLINE

THE HAUNTED BOY, The Secret Diary Of The Exorcist. Based On The Real Exorcist Diary By Rev. Raymond Bishop, S.J. A new paranormal documentary film from The Booth Brothers, (Spooked, Children of the Grave, The Possessed, Death Tunnel as seen on SyFy, NBC Universal, Sony Pictures). DVD/FILM REVIEW:By Horror News Net (Bone Digger)

SYNOPSIS: Cinematography by Philip Adrian Booth. Original Score by SAINT. Written, Edited and Directed by The Booth Brothers. RT(88 minutes) Not Rated, SD/HD format, Dolby Digital, Stereo, 5.1 Surround. DVD features TBA.

Plot Outline: While filming a haunted asylum in St. Louis, Missouri, documentary filmmakers uncover a secret diary of the infamous 1949 exorcism involving a 13 year old boy possessed by the devil that later inspired the book and movie “The Exorcist”. Utilizing hi-tech paranormal gadgetry along with a legion of supernatural experts they search out to capture the scariest entity known to man, “The Unholy Ghost”. Nothing you have ever seen or heard before gets you closer to the ungodly truth of what really happened in this most terrifying, best selling story of all time! This is the untold-real story of “The Exorcist”, a chronicle of true events based on the actual priest’s secret diary the world was not to see, Until Now!

For the first time ever, investigate the real ‘Exorcist’ house and the infamous Haunted Boy’s bedroom where this horrific possession and exorcism occurred. Battle demons while exploring ancient churches and asylums with the last surviving eyewitness priests. See never-before-seen case files, historical events, paranormal evidence from world renown supernatural experts. Exclusive interviews with the actual Exorcist’s and the Haunted Boy’s blood line.

With all the creepy exorcism sensationalism going on lately, it was due time for a non fiction piece to arrive on the scene that wasn’t all B.S with cleverly edited hand held camera tricks. In fact, every time I turn on the TV, another “expert” is visiting distressed old buildings claiming to be able to capture disembodied spirits or evil entities. The thing I love about the Booth Brothers excursions is that they don’t claim to be expert ghost hunters, but they are expert filmmakers. Usually they enlist the aid of noted experts to accompany them while they shoot, educate and dig into the history or the locations they visit. It’s all done beautifully, hauntingly and usually leaves you with a sense of dread long after viewing.

This latest offering from the “spooked” team takes on a rather cautious tale of a boy who was the original inspiration for the film “The Exorcist”. A real tale that overshadows “The Last Exorcism” 10 to 1 with encounters that are truly frightening.

The coverage stems from true events, true testimonies as the team braves the eerie original locations with quite a few harrowing moments themselves. The original tale that inspired the film “the Exorcist” was actually based on a true exorcism event that occurred back in 1949. This event received further credibility when the original diary of the event was uncovered that details the frightful moments from the archives of Rev. Raymond Bishop. The DVD I received contained a printed copy of this very diary for those who want to read long after, though it’s the film itself that will send chills down your spine.

As all their previous projects, the Booth team lights up the screen with there flavorful brand of editing using graphics, staged footage and of course the on scene documentary footage that they based the whole film on. As we learn about the haunted boy who was documented as being possessed even at the level of the Roman Catholic Church, we discover a dark entity, demons and past tales that will scare the church right back into ya.

The crew visits 3 locations reported to be where the boy received exorcism treatments. St. Louis, Missouri which houses an old asylum turned into apartment buildings still to this day does not house occupants on the 5th floor as recommended by the local priests. A floor that perhaps contains some remnants of evil itself is explored with some interesting footage caught on tape. What is most frightening is the visit to the previous exorcised boys house now owned by new neighbors. The room which is in renovation proves to be a visit you soon won’t forgot. A resident ghost hunter, the film crew and a physic all visit this house and let the cameras roll. Not only is the visit frightful but the captured EVP to audio words device pulls up some pretty crazy stuff. Accompanied by a masterful “Saint” score, the material sets a pretty dark mood to latch onto.

As the film rolls on, we are told about some of the original furniture deemed haunted that was removed from the locations and sealed away in a wooden box. This box now sits within a military facility never to be opened again. I found that bit of information rather unique and concerning that so much trouble was invested into a material object to be kept under wraps and careful watch. As we learn more about the boy, it appears that every location and setting that existed is under scrutiny of bad karma that had anything to do with the reported exorcism and its surroundings. At one point, I was confused by the various locations talked about, but what I got from it was that the boy was moved around a bit.

My only real complaint was that the DVD spine was backwards on the insert, which means you have to include it upside down in your movie library. (Typical action for a subject matter involving the Devil. lol)

In summary, the rest is best kept reserved for the viewers to experience on there own and make there own assumptions. The production is well done, well shot and well scored. I couldn’t think of a more suitable film to play this Halloween

DVD/FILM REVIEW:By Horror News Net (Bone Digger) Read the full review here: http://horrornews.net/15899/film-review-the-haunted-boy-the-secret-diary-of-the-exorcist-2010/


CUSTOMER REVIEWS: WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE HAUNTED BOY DVD!

BOOTH BROTHERS!!!! READ HERE! THE HUNTED BOY IS ONE OF YOUR BEST DOCUMENTARY YET GUYS!!!! YOU GOT MY 5 STAR VOTE ON IT!!! Korey

Just finished up the haunted boy, u guys have sincerely outdone yourselves!Amazing work. my only dissapointment was when it was over! ; ) I will be watching this again and again. The music was awesome great job once again!It was beyond better than my expectations!!!! BRAVO Sarah

Got mine today... Love, love, love it.. I will be getting the diary autographed by Keith Age later this month.. Okay Philip, you and Christopher need to come to either Dallas or OK so I can get your autographs on the diary.. C'mon, guys do a small autographing tour. Teresa

I thought they did an Amazing job. Now i hope people would just wake up and see the truth, that demons are real. Capri

I just saw The Haunted Boy and just want to say, you both did an out standing job. I hope now people will wake up and see it as truth and not in fear. God bless you all in the making of the documentary.

I just finished it you all did such an amazing job ! btw you a;ll look 
awesome o9n my new 40 inch flat screen ! but it was amazing just like
your others keep up the awesome work ! it makes you think i had chills through out it. Jennifer

Very exciting day today just checked my mail and The Haunted Boy was in there cant believe it got to me in a day!!!! Thanks guys im gonna watch it right now! Sarah

Just watched my copy of "The Haunted Boy!! Excellent job!!! Kris

Best Indie filmmakers out there!! Brad

Excellent! Marlena

Bravo Booth Brothers!! I almost wished it didn't end there...but who knows what y'all have up your sleeves next : ) Really glad I made the investment! Keep on doing the Damn Thing!! Kura

All I can say, after watching The Haunted Boy is Thank You! Jennifer

Just finished the movie....wish I could be at the big screen to participate in the standing ovation that you guys are going to get on this one, bro.!!!! You guys are brilliant. I never could've expected that you guys were going to push the boundaries that you did and bring us viewers right to the edge with ya! I'm a seasoned investigator and what an Awesome ride! James

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