TORONTO, February 4, 2011 – The Rite, a suspense film featuring Anthony Hopkins, is based on a book by journalist Matt Baglio about the accounts of an American priest who has served as an exorcist. The movie, which opened in most centres Friday, January 28, is based on true incidents in the priest’s life. While it is dramatized – a post script to the film makes it clear that the exact stories were changed to protect people’s privacy – it is respectful of Catholic teaching and practice and does not unduly exploit the potential for violence inherent in the topic. The League also found little evidence of sensationalism in any of the dozens of newpaper reviews we read about the movie.
Hollywood takes liberties with exorcism rite, Catholic Register, January 13
Why is Hollywood obsessed with exorcism?, National Catholic Reporter, Jan 25.