Documentary - The Exorcism of Anneliese Michel

Anneliese was born in 1952, in Bavaria, West Germany. She grew in a religious family who were Catholics. The family attended Mass twice a week. When Anneliese was 16, she suddenly blacked out at school. She began walking in a trance-like state. But Anneliese didn’t remember what was happening to her. The same night she felt a heavy feeling on her body and then wet the bed. A year later, she experienced a similar episode. She had convulsions and her body shook uncontrollably. Anneliese went to a neurologist who found nothing wrong with her brain function. Later she caught tuberculosis and was taken to the hospital. There, she experienced the third episode. Anneliese visited a neurologist again who diagnosed her with temporal lobe epilepsy. This disease causes seizures, loss of memory, and hallucinations. Despite the treatment, her condition worsened. Anneliese still had hallucinations and heard voices. She started to believe that she was possessed by the Devil. Anneliese licked her urine from the floor, ate spiders, ripped her clothes off. She avoided religious items, like crucifixes and holy water. Her family asked several priests for an exorcism. Though they rejected their request and advised to continue medical treatment. Finally, the Church gave permission for an exorcism. Two priests were given the task of exorcizing Anneliese. Each exorcism lasted for several hours. Anneliese talked in a distorted voice on behalf of 6 demons. She believed she was possessed by Lucifer, Judas, Nero, Cain, Hitler, and Fleischmann. Anneliese didn’t receive any treatment during the exorcism. She became weaker and thinner and died in 1976. Two priests and her parents were charged with negligent homicide. The priests were sentenced to six months in prison though it was later suspended. Her parents received no punishment because they had enough. This was a criterion in German law.

Anneliese Michel endured over 60 sessions of Catholic exorcism. It was claimed she was possessed by 6 demons. Her possession, exorcisms and eventual death went on to inspire the film The Exorcism of Emily Rose. The true story behind the movie is one of horror, mystery and, ultimately, great tragedy. So, who was Anneliese? And why did she die the way she did? The Paranormal Scholar presents one of the most chilling cases of demonic possession of all time and arguably one of the best unsolved paranormal mysteries, including images and audio extracts from original exorcism tapes.