Exorcists: The True Story

Description: In 1949, a 13-year-old boy in Cottage City, Maryland was apparently possessed by demons. The boy, who has never spoken about his ordeal and has never been identified, demonstrated extreme behaviour shortly after the death of his beloved aunt. The family experienced strange noises around the house and the boy's bed began to shake violently. After bizarre markings appeared on his skin, the parents turned to the local hospital for help. When this proved fruitless, they called upon local priest Father Albert Hughes. When Hughes asked the boy his name, he replied, "I am legions" - indicating that numerous spirits had taken up residence inside his body. Hughes attempted the then little-known practice of exorcism to dispel the demons - to no avail. The family sought treatment in St Louis, where a priest named Father William Bowdern decided to embark upon nightly exorcisms. The exorcism lasted six weeks, during which time the child swore, struggled and displayed fits of seemingly superhuman strength. Then, abruptly, his symptoms ended. The boy and his family returned to a life of relative obscurity. Decades later, author William Peter Blatty became fascinated by the tale. The resulting book and film reignited interest in the centuries-old practice of exorcism. Find out the True Story.