The fact that the novel’s author, William Peter Blatty, also wrote the screenplay for the adaptation didn’t hurt anything. He obviously knew the characters the best and also the beats that would move the story along.
This film had an uphill battle given how classic the book was. I think that this being the first adaptation (that I could find) since the book’s release 34 years earlier was telling. Also, a made-for-TV movie, or movie of the week, wasn’t what I was expecting.
This is probably one of the most faithful book-to-film adaptations I’ve seen in a long time. One of the reasons I chose this one to watch is that I love Gary Sinise in about everything I see him in. And then to find out he directed it?! Shut up and push Play already!