I know that at the time there were stories of people passing out in the theaters or having to get up and leave because they couldn't take watching it.
How much of that was real, and how much drummed up for "hype" purposes, I don't know. But it seems like it was considered to be more intense than the usual Hollywood horror flicks up until that time. It's certainly nowhere near as gory as even the typical rated-R action blockbuster or slasher film is likely to be these days. I think the creepy factor owes a lot to the fact that you are watching relatively normal, modern people deal with what seems more and more like the intrusion of some ancient and very real demonic power into their everyday happy existence. Also the religious angle of the film is one that pushes some people's buttons - for those who believe in the literal existence of a biblical Hell ruled by Satan and his minions, and the possibility of them possessing unsuspecting and innocent humans - I'm sure seeing it portrayed on the screen in a way that takes that possibility seriously can be traumatic.
Aside from that, I don't see anyone who can get through, say, Silence of the Lambs or something similar having problems watching The Exorcist, but then you never can tell what will get under someone's skin.
Biggest plus in this movie for me was Max von Sydow, I would pay to watch him read the telephone book out loud.
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