Bracks' About-face On Exorcist

The Age

Saturday April 7, 2001

The Victorian Government is expected to back down on its decision to ban the Good Friday screening of R-rated film The Exorcist: The Director's Cut.

A spokeswoman for Premier Steve Bracks last night said the ban was being reviewed.

This is despite Mr Bracks supporting the ban on Thursday after The Age revealed that Justice Department officials had denied cinemas a licence to show the film on Good Friday.

``I think people would be patient enough to realise one film on a very important day is not such a big issue," he said.

The original move was supported by churches, but criticised by the opposition, the cinema industry and free speech advocates.

ABC-TV's Stateline last night reported that a decision to allow screening of the film had already been made. It said acting Attorney-General Bob Cameron ordered the backdown in light of this week's public backlash against the ban.