In 2007, there were reports that the Vatican was planning an initiative to install an exorcist in every diocese in the world. Matt Baglio, a reporter living in Rome, was intrig
ued by this and met with Father Gary Thomas, a priest undergoing exorcism training. He shadowed Fr. Thomas through six months of training, “One of the reasons why I wrote the book the way that I did,” he explains, “is to say, ‘This is the reality of exorcism as the Church teaches it.’” The result was the book The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist, on which the film The Rite is based.
The screenplay was being created as the book was being written. Fr. Thomas, now a pastor in California, and Baglio both served as consultants on the set — Thomas to ensure that Anthony Hopkins portrayed and priest and the ritual authentically.
“What really resonated with me is the fact that [the church] is a healing ministry and gives priests like me an opportunity to help people who are truly suffering,” says Thomas.
Baglio meanwhile counseled the producers to keep the exorcisms subtle and realistic. “I think the idea I had in the book was really to show people that because we have free will … that it’s really up to us to make the right choices. It’s about us participating in our religion and believing in God. That’s what really helps the person become liberated,” says Baglio. “It isn’t the exorcist who has the magic powers.”
Producer Tripp Vinson says of The Rite, “Dealing with really big themes like good and evil, you don’t have to add a lot of bells and whistles. The truth is more compelling than anything we can make up.”
“The Rite” is now showing on Video On Demand. Check your cable system for availability.
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© 2011 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Courtesy of New Line Cinema
