The Possession of Joel Delaney (2007)

Granada Ventures/Network, UK
DVD
The Possession of Joel Delaney (2007)

Academy Award-winning actress Shirley MacLaine stars in this gripping tale of witchcraft, possession, weird rites and gruesome murder . . . An excellent example of the horror genre and one that predates The Exorcist by over a year. The Possession of Joel Delaney is a scary and compelling film. Ably directed by Golden Berlin Bear-nominated director Warris Hussein, starring the ever reliable Shirley MacLaine and with a young Perry King turning in a powerhouse performance as Joel, this film will undoubtedly appeal not only to horror fans but also lovers of suspenseful, atmospheric thrillers.

 • THE POSSESSION OF JOEL DELANEY (USA, 1972)
Dir: Warris Hussein. With: Shirley MacLaine, Perry King, David Elliott, Lisa Kohane, Michael Hordern, Barbara Trentham. ITC. Colour.
—Audio commentary (with Kim Newman)
—author of introductory booklet (‘The Possessed and the Possessive’)