Film stirs up devilish memories of tragedy
ALLAN HALL
IN KLINGENBERG
A POLISHED film version of happenings in a small Bavarian town
nearly 30 years ago has re-opened barely healed wounds.
Citizens of the beautiful wine-growing community of Klingenberg go
about their business, ignoring as best they can the pilgrims who
turn up by the coachload at the churchyard where Anneliese Michel's
grave is marked by a white cross. The inscription reads that she
"sleeps with God" - but there has been little rest for the
townspeople since her death in July 1976.
The film, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, is based on her fate and has
drawn a new generation of visitors - spiritual, religious and
curious - to her grave.
Every month up to five bucketfuls of soil have to be replaced as
handfuls are taken as souvenirs.
Looking down over the graveyard is an old woman who rarely leaves
her window spot during daylight. It is Ms Michel's mother, Anna,
now 85, who, along with her late husband, was given a six-month
suspended jail sentence for her part in the exorcism and ultimate
death of her daughter.
"Are you Catholic?" are the first words that Mrs Michel asks
visitors who knock on her door.
"Go and look at her grave if you want answers. I have none. She was
a lovely child and the devil took her."
Christina Metzer, of the local tourist office, does not welcome the
influx of visitors. She said: "Everyone is aware of what took place
but it was pushed to the back of our consciousness. Now it is all
bubbling up again,"
Anneliese, who was born in 1952, was brought up drinking holy water
and being woken in the night to pray.
In 1968 she began shaking and could not control her body.
A neurologist diagnosed her with "grand mal" epilepsy and she was
treated in hospital.
Soon after, Anneliese started seeing devilish grimaces as she
prayed.
She then began to hear voices saying she would "stew in hell" and
told doctors "demons" were giving her orders.
In summer 1973, her parents asked for an exorcism. Their requests
were rejected, but Anneliese's condition deteriorated and she could
be heard screaming for hours, breaking crucifixes, destroying
paintings of Jesus and pulling apart rosaries. She also mutilated
herself.
In September 1975, the Bishop of Wurzburg, Josef Stangl, ordered
two priests to perform "The Great Exorcism" on Anneliese to save
her from possession by demons.
From September 1975 until July 1976, one or two exorcism sessions
were held each week. Her attacks were so strong she had to be held
down by three men, or chained up.
For several weeks she refused all food.
On the last day of the exorcism, 30 June, 1976, she was suffering
from a high fever and was emaciated. She was exhausted and unable
to genuflect, so her parents stood in and helped her through the
motions.
"Beg for absolution" was the last thing she said to the exorcists.
To her mother, she said: "Mother, I'm afraid".
Forensic evidence showed Anneliese had starved to death.
