Review: A notorious disaster still possesses its filmmaker in 'Boorman and the Devil'

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Set us as preferred After watching the enjoyable birth-of-a-disaster documentary “Boorman and the Devil,” about the ill-fated gestation of John Boorman’s “Exorcist II: The Heretic,” you’ll surely marvel that anyone thought the mysterious film would satisfy moviegoers’ hunger for second helpings of date-night Satanism.David Kittredge’s deeply researched, lightning-paced explication of a great director’s most infamous bomb is, in a curiously heartfelt way, meaningful.Across a rollicking tale of hubris, excitement, compromise and curses, it’s good to be reminded that even when money is no object and when auteurs ruled Hollywood, every movie is some kind of miracle — just for having gotten completed.Filmmaker Kittredge trekked to Ireland and convinced the knighted, retired Boorman to recount his experience, which he does with sincerity, humor and, where appropriate, a charmingly genteel defensiveness.

A wider shot of the interview shows the filmmaker comfortably ensconced between two props: the sword from 1981’s “Excalibur” slightly in front and, behind him on a table, a miniature of that angry godhead from his nutty, Connery-in-a-mankini sci-fi flop “Zardoz.” The placement feels resonant, since Boorman was always operating between poles of glinting victory and laughable failure.Movies From a new “Resident Evil” reboot from the director of “Weapons” to Oscar contenders starring Mikey Madison and Tom Cruise, here are the movies we’ll be at this fall.Any movie, of course, is many things.

Interviewee Linda Blair wanted a big payday, top billing and the chance to work with Richard Burton, but not to have to tap dance (she lost that one).Louise Fletcher, also interviewed and a lovely presence, wanted a fulfilling artistic experience and got chaos.

Burton, meanwhile (amusingly rendered in anim...