The Exorcist (The Version You've Never Seen)

Looks and sounds great. The Director’s Cut is perfect. Loved all the added scenes. They were all in the book! If I watch The Exorcist, I watch this one!

This may well be the most satisfying blu-ray purchase I have made to date and I wish all future blu-ray releases will be like this. Like many other film fans out there I face a struggle at times trying to justify the double-dip from the dvd or even the vhs but this release sure made it easy for me. Firstly, I'm a big fan of digibooks and indeed anything that is as far removed from the usual dvd release as possible. The content is usually very informative and useful and it is certainly the case here. Secondly, to have both the Director's Cut AND the Thearetical Release versions here is joyful for the fan (George Lucas try to contain your greed and take note!). Thirdly, this film has been restored admirably and looks excellent and hence way scarier in 1080p although for some reason the picture quality seemed a little better for the thearetical release as compared with the director's cut and I'm assuming that it's because the missing bits that were added for the latter were poorly preserved and so to fit in with the rest of the frames some extra work was needed that brought the quality down a little as compared with the former version but I'm merely guessing here. The sound quality for both versions though in wonderful DTS HD MA 5.1 surround is simply stunning and certainly beyond reproach. As to the various cuts argument I personally would have done a different "Reviewer's Cut" although I have to say that the original thearetical version was pretty well done already but I do have some sympathy with Blatty. For my "Reviewer's Cut" version, I would leave out the "spider on the staircase" scene and perhaps the extended ending with the policeman but I would keep some of the ending like when the priest tells the mother to keep Karas' medal and perhaps just end it a little after that just before the policeman shows up. I would also keep the staircase dialogue between the exorcists as I do agree with Blatty that it is a key scene and I disagree with Friedkin that it is "understood" or "stating the obvious"; sometimes with filmgoers you need to state the obvious for emphasis and I feel that to be the case here. I would leave out the additional scene of Karas playing the recording of Regan's normal voice as in that case I feel it was not necessary to show how normal Regan was because I think we get it already from the beginning of the film although I would keep the added footage of the mother talking with the doctors. There you have it! This reviewer's cut! But all in all if I had to choose between the two I'd say the Thearetical Version is good as is that is until my Reviewer's Cut is made :-) This film shocked me and when I first saw even the censored version of it years ago as a child I have to say it bothered me no end and led to many a sleepless night but as I grew older and hence better able to see the bigger picture I've come to realise that this is a great love story with many facets to show that Good always triumphs over Evil and that even if it may seem that Evil wreaks all kinds of calamity and havoc and has the upper hand but in the final analysis Good still wins. In the end, the priest who lost his faith gains redemption through imitating his model Jesus Christ; in taking onto himself all of the evil inhabiting the child and dying for her salvation he does on a smaller scale what Christ did in taking on all the evils of the entire world onto himself and dying for it so that it may be redeemed and live in spiritual freedom again. Also in the example of Karas and the entire experience I think we can safely say that Regan's mother is no longer an aetheist! I guess there are no aetheists in foxholes and in demonic possession! It was very touching watching this transformation of Karas' character from the start of the film to the very end. For me the most important and most memorable scene of the entire film was the one at the bottom of the stairs after the older priest sends Karas out of the room because he was not cutting it and when the mother asks if Regan was going to die and as if in a Garden of Gethsemane moment Karas steels himself and decides no way! I'm going to save that child no matter what and just like Jesus going from Gethsamane to his death on the cross Karas goes from the bottom of the stairs up to the room where he dies to save the child. Beautiful! Next to The Passion of the Christ (Definitive Edition) [Blu-ray ] this film is a great picture to encourage Christians everywhere. All the demon succeeded in doing was to give yet another opportunity for Self-Sacrificing Goodness to exhibit itself and bring Hope instead of the Despair that was intended as was so well put by von Sydow in the dialogue on the stairs scene that should have been kept in the original version. Yes, it is still the scariest film ever seen and made scarier with the 1080p and the DTS HD MA 5.1 surround treatment and yet it is among the more hopeful films that I have ever seen as well making this among the top 10 films that I've ever seen as well. Very disturbing if you are seeing it for the first time and I can only imagine how much more of the case that was in the 1970s but if you pay attention to the characters and all the storylines it is also among the most rewarding film experiences that you are likely to have. Very highly recommended!

Great movie!! I am glad that I made this purchase. Thank you for making my day that much better.

More of a suspense thriller than an actual Horror film, there's not much blood & Gore in the film except for the crucifixion scene, but still the film is chilling piece of Art Extremely well Directed by William friedkin Extremely well written screenplay aswell by William peter blatty who was the Author of the Exorcist novel so Blatty was not only the Author but he wrote the screenplay for the film, and Produced it aswell Friedkin should've won a Best Director Academy award for this film aswell he already did for the French connection 1 year before the Exorcist was released in Cinemas but he did a brilliant Job filming the Exorcist aswell especially when Directing Linda blair in the Jesus scene, incredible Film Directing so Billy should be a 2 time Academy award winner as far as i'm concerned The Exorcist was nominated for 10 Academy awards back in 1973 only winning 2, william peter blatty won for best screenplay and another award for best sound mixing tragically Billy friedkin missed out winning for best Director Billy friedkin should've won another award for best Director for sure and Dick smith should've won for best make up effects but for reason the film didn't win anymore awards for fans that don't know, there's now 2 versions of the film the original Theatrical cut which is 122mins long and the 2000 extended Directors cut which adds an extra 10mins of Deleted scenes actually some of the scenes inserted back into the film are special effects Horror scenes that didn't work properly back enough to be left in the Theatrical cut one the main Highlights is the back spider walk where you see a close up of blood spurting out of reagans mouth which was played by Linda blair's stunt Double in the film there's more supernatural Horror scenes inserted back in for me i prefer the extended Directors cut the extra scenes make the film more scarier but it's a matter of opinion really this new 2 Disc blu-ray special edition by Warner bros has both versions plus all new special features & the old extras from the DVD release aswell Disc 1 is the 132min Directors cut in 1:85:1 widescreen the HD transfer looks beautiful i must say, very clean & crisp picture quality better than the DVD version for sure according to the Audio options on the back cover art there's a 6.1 Master audio mix option, well this is Dead wrong there is no Audio set up option on either version so i checked the Audio options by pressing Audio button on my remote control when i played both film versions there is only 5.1 Master audio mix for English, French and other languages so obviously Warner bros has misleaded us fans saying there's a 6.1 Master audio mix when there isn't. Disgusting really why would WB print 6.1 Master audio mix on the back cover, when there isn't a 6.1 mix makes no sense WB has also made a new 3 part Documentary on the films Legacy RAISING HELL- FILMING THE EXORCIST which has rare behind scenes footage during 1972-1973 THE LOCATIONS-GEORGETOWN THEN & NOW FACES OF EVIL-DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE EXORCIST all 3 featurettes have new interviews with Billy friedkin, writer/producer william peter blatty, Cinematographer Owen Roizman Actors Linda blair, Max von sydow and others Actor Jason miller who played Father Karras passed away before this blu-ray was released otherwise he may have been interviewed to all 3 featurettes can be played at once, so about 50mins runtime plus the DVD commentary by Billy friedkin is still on this blu-ray Disc 2 has the 1973 Theatrical cut 122mins again in brand new HD blu-ray transfer exact same picture quality as the Directors cut and 5.1 master audio mix this Disc has the old special features from the previous dvd release the 90mins Documentary Fear of God Interview Gallery which covers the Original cut, the final reckoning, stairway to Heaven Original ending scene is on here to plus the original DVD commentaries with William friedkin & william peter blatty the Intro by William friedkin is here to there's 2 versions of the packaging aswell this U.S. edition is a Digi-book Disc 1 is on left side,Disc 2 is on right side of the Hard cover with pages of rare photos in between the 2nd version is the U.K. release you can buy from amazon U.K. for cheap price of 6.40 pounds this U.K. release is the exact same 2 Disc special edition as the U.S. edition but packed on Disc trays in a standard blu-ray case, not a Digi-book this U.K. release is ALL REGIONS just like the U.S. edition is ALL REGIONS so the U.K. has the exact same 2 versions, 122mins & 132mins exact same blu-ray transfers in 1:85:1 widescreen & the same 5.1 Audio options the U.K. has the exact same special features as the U.S. edition absolutely nothing is different except for the packaging that's it. so if you have the old dvd release scrap it, time to upgrade for sure you can either get the U.S. Digi-book release or the Standard 2 Disc blu-ray case from amazon uk i don't like Digi-book packaging, i prefer standard case but each to their own 5 stars i gave this 2 disc edition based on so many new & old special features plus a new 5.1 master audio mix and very sharp picture quality.

A lot can be said about The Exorcist, it's a timeless masterpiece of horror! But I'm here to review the specific version I bought from Amazon, which is the 1997 edition snapcase DVD. In a nutshell, it's everything I had hoped for, and SO much better than any other version released since then. Stark colors, original color grading during the exorcism scene (NO BLUE TINT!), sound effects and reverb that have been missing ever since. All present in this DVD. Even better, the fullscreen version (4:3 aspect ratio) is open matte, so you get more picture than any widescreen version! Widescreen version is also included on the reverse side of the disc. Special features are pretty bare bones, a trailer and some production notes. The newer DVD and blu ray releases are much better for special features. Two negatives: The DVD itself is in perfect condition, though the case has a small chunk torn off from the spine, but the rest of the case is in good condition, slightly worn. And, there's quite a bit of noticeable telecine jitter throughout the film, resulting in the picture "shaking" back and forth rapidly, but only for a moment before it stops. This is the only reason why I have brought my star rating to a 4. All in all, if there's any other film snobs out there that want to see this cinematic masterpiece as close as its original theatrical presentation as possible, then don't hesitate and get the 1997 DVD in addition to your Blu Ray copy.

The Exorcist- the #1 horror movie of all time, is now in 4K. The picture is absolutely stunning and even better with the extended directors cut. This supernatural movie deals with the possession of Regan, a 12 year old girl and the 2 priests who try to exercise the demon possessing her. The toll on the mother and the priests is unimaginable . Whatever you do, leave the lights 💡 on when you watch it. This movie 🎥 is truly spectacular and it will scare you for sure.

Des plus grands films d'horreur

Mélangeant thriller, épouvante horreur, enquête policière, l'Exorciste est un chef d’œuvre de l'époque à l'ambiance unique en son genre. William Friedkin a compris que l’essence même de ce genre qu’est l’épouvante-horreur ne reposait pas sur l’hémoglobine mais bien sur le malaise de possession saisit à la gorge. La célèbre mélodie de Mike Oldfield est évidemment culte et angoissante. Photographié par Billy Williams est de toute beauté, apportant la touche d'exotisme qui d'emblée rappelle les origines séculaires de la peur du démon. Un plan magnifique opposant sur un fond de coucher de soleil, le père Merrin (Max Von Sydow) à une statue du démon inspirée des gargouilles de Notre-Dame de Paris nous informe du duel à mort qui va suivre. Je pense que la principale force de ce film est son scénario qui a été écrit avec une virtuosité exceptionnelle. Linda Blair a fait frémir toute une génération de cinéphiles avec son rôle de pré-adolescente possédée. Une œuvre d'une réalité quasi documentaire, et on peut s'identifier à travers cette mère de famille dépourvu qui est dans un désespoir total et impuissante face à la transformation de sa fille. Regan, une jeune fille de 13 ans, vit avec sa maman, Chris MacNeil, une actrice qui entre deux tournages tente de concilier vie professionnelle et familiale. Elle découvre que sa fille est victime de troubles du sommeil, d’agitations fréquentes et qu‘elle devient de plus en plus violente envers son entourage. Inquiète, elle consulte des cliniciens, neurologues et autres experts qui procèdent dans un premier temps à deux interventions très douloureuses, et à la fin desquelles une première explication est livrée sans que Chris ne soit rassurée ou convaincue. Dans le même temps l’état de sa fille empire. Désespérée, confrontée à des docteurs qui ne semblent plus la comprendre, elle décide en dernier recours de se tourner vers un exorciste, le père Damien Karras. Friedkin est un génie il arrive à nous transmettre cette angoisse qui monte crescendo jusqu'à son paroxysme et ce film est une pépite intemporelle car il nous montre que le mal est là depuis la nuit des temps qu'il frappe à travers toutes les religions de part de la scène en Irak jusqu'à cette maison paisible à Washington il veut nous montrer que le mal peut s'abattre aux quatres coins du monde. C'est par l'association d'un réalisme austère à un thème fantastique que le réalisateur est parvenu à transformer même les plans les plus neutres en briques du cauchemar, et ainsi à distiller tout au long du récit une terreur sourde et pernicieuse. L’histoire de possession à la base est l’occasion pour lui de mettre en évidence le thème-clé de son univers de cinéaste : la lutte éternelle entre le Bien et le Mal. Littéralement fasciné par cette problématique il développe ici cette idée obsessionnelle en recourant à un filmage lorgnant vers le documentaire pour plus de réalisme voire d’hyperréalisme. Il veut que le spectacle soit le plus crédible et effrayant possible, en prenant le spectateur par les tripes ni plus ni moins. Caméra à l’épaule, lumière naturelle ou éclairage minimaliste, rigueur de la mise en scène, grain de pellicule, etc.…Les effets spéciaux, à l'exception d'un ou deux qui aujourd'hui sont un peu voyants (en particulier les retournements de tête à 360°), sont ainsi très réussis, ce qui est dû en grande partie au fait que, les trucages numériques n'existant pas encore, ils étaient tous réalisés en direct sur le plateau. Le metteur en scène s’en remet à la technique du documentaire qui répond à des exigences souvent économiques auxquelles il se plie. L’efficacité prime, l’efficacité du plan et du montage, avec un choix de narration n’épargnant pas les ellipses mais évitant à tout prix les baratins explicatifs. Il n’y a pas d’à peu près dans l’Exorciste, pas de séquences gratuites : chaque mot, chaque image sont destinés à renvoyer à un élément du récit. L’accent étant mis sur la Possession davantage que sur la Foi en elle-même, l’enquête policière ou encore les messes noires (pourtant toutes évoquées, ce qui densifie encore le propos des éléments nettement plus présents dans le roman, plus détaillé et méticuleux dans la partie précédent l'exorcisme proprement dit), on comprend dès lors que le personnage de Kinderman, qui apparaît très peu à l’écran, est essentiel au bon déroulement de l’histoire, permettant de mettre en relation le père Karras et la mère de Regan. Ces trois personnages constituent les trois pôles du script : ils personnifient un élément clef de l'intrigue et cristallisent chacun des angoisses différentes de la communauté. Ellen Burstyn est complètement à son aise dans la peau de cette actrice célèbre, vivant séparée de son mari et élevant sa fille unique dans un cocon chaleureux grâce à une évidente aisance financière. Mais Jason Miller crève l'écran : confesseur chez les Jésuites, le père Karras traverse une véritable crise de Foi liée à la maladie de sa mère qu'il se refuse à placer en institut. Son charme viril attirera l'attention de l'actrice dont il est grand fan qui le choisira (un peu contre toute attente) pour tenter de trouver une solution au mal qui ronge sa fille chérie, sur lequel les plus grands spécialistes de la médecine moderne se sont cassés les dents. Quant au moment le plus fort du film, celui qui nous glace le sang à chaque vision, il s'agit de l'image quasi subliminale du visage du démon lors de la séquence onirique du père Karras. Mise en scène de manière expérimentale pour l'époque, cette scène alterne des images symboliques de l'histoire (le médaillon du père Merrin, une pendule) au milieu d'une figuration d'un drame humain (la mère de Karras s'engouffre dans une bouche de métro sans entendre les cris de ce dernier, symbolisant la détresse de la vieille femme se sentant abandonnée dans sa chambre d'hôpital). Le plan subliminal intervient dans cette mosaïque, un faciès blanc perdu au milieu d'un cadre noir, apparaissant dans un silence presque total. Friedkin parvient de ce fait à provoquer la peur par une image que nous voyons à peine, mais que nous ressentons pleinement grâce à l'émotion mise à nue révélée par cette terrible figuration morbide entre un fils et sa mère. Plus de cinquante ans après sa sortie, Il conserve sa place tout en haut du panthéon des films d'horreur qu'il occupe avec "Shining" (Stanley Kubrick, 1980), "Aliens" (Ridley Scott,1979), "Carrie" (Brian de Palma, 1973), "Massacre à la tronçonneuse" (Tobe Hooper,1973), "Rosemary's baby" (Roman Polanski, 1968) ou encore "The thing" (John Carpenter, 1982). À sa sortie, peu le savent, mais L'Exorciste fera figure de sésame qui ouvrira définitivement les portes des grands studios américains au genre. L'horreur graphique va se démocratiser en salles et des films comme Damien, La malédiction, Carrie ou encore Amityville vont s'engager dans le sillon fraichement tracé par le succès de Friedkin... Pas étonnant dans ces conditions, que L'Exorciste soit régulièrement cité comme l'un des plus grands films d'horreur de tous les temps. Mais c'est aussi parce que William Friedkin, cinéaste du réel, aussi intransigeant qu'indomptable, prend le temps nécessaire pour donner de l'épaisseur à son sujet. Il présente les personnages, leurs névroses, leur fragilité, leurs contradictions et enclenche les situations pour qu'au bout d'une quarantaine de minutes, une fois les enjeux posés et les hostilités lancées, le public ait suffisamment mordu à l'hameçon pour être plongé au cœur de l'horreur. Le film a engendré 402,5 millions de dollars à travers le monde, une véritable performance. Devant ce succès phénoménal, il a donné naissance à une saga qui s’est poursuivie d’abord en 1977 avec "L’exorciste 2 : l’hérétique". Il faudra attendre 1990 pour voir le 3ème volet nommé "L’exorciste, la suite" (ou "The exorcist III"). L’année 2004 voit la préquelle apparaitre ("L’exorciste : au commencement"), ce qui équivaut à dire que des années après, on cherche encore à surfer sur l’immense réussite cinématographique (et commerciale) qu’a été "L’exorciste". Car ça en est une, enrichie de quelques scènes supplémentaires depuis 2001 (que je considère comme inutiles pour la plupart). L'Exorciste reste en tout point un classique incontesté à la limite boulversant, autant que dérangeant et choquant.

'The Exorcist.' absolutely deserves its legendary status because it's more than just a Horror Film. For me 'The Exorcist.', as well as obviously being a story about demonic possession, is about the love of a Mother for her child and the importance of family bonds. It's also an exploration of the idea of the Devil as a real entity rather than an abstract concept, and about the power of Faith in a Higher Power through an Organized Religion. On reflection that last stated theme does strike me as a little odd or at least a little surprising since Regan and Chris MacNeil are clearly depicted as atheists! One might argue then, that 'The Exorcist.' could be seen as an advertisement for the Catholic Church - although if it is it's certainly not an overbearing one. What I can say with certainty is that if one wants to see 'The Exorcist.' as a Horror Film, then it's the thinking person's Horror Film. Of course given that it was made in 1973 'The Exorcist.' presents a much more flattering representation of the Catholic Church than would probably be the case if it was made now, in the much more Secular and Organized Religion-sceptical 2023. The performances by all of the main cast, especially Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil, are absolutely top notch with a cast who all seem to be invested in their characters to a degree that is utterly naturalistic and in many cases, incredibly raw. For me the acting and the characterization are what makes 'The Exorcist.' the timeless classic that it is. Also; it's a rare Horror Film that has such admirable mature thematic depth. By today's standards 'The Exorcist.' isn't particularly scary but then again it's Director, the late William Friedkin, never intended it to be. He intended it mainly to be a powerfully emotional story about the triumph of Good over Evil. This is why I find 'The Exorcist.', in spite of its often horrifying imagery and its occasionally foul language, a courageous, challenging and yet strangely comforting and rewarding Film. How many Films that are given the label 'Horror' can be described as comforting?! This 4K release has an astonishingly good-looking image which often makes it look like a Film which was made recently and is set in 1973, rather than one that was made in 1973. The image is absolutely pristine with not a hint of damage that I could see. The HDR, which I personally find renders many FiIms too dark, is thankfully applied in an appropriately restrained manner on 'The Exorcist.'. All I can say is that after decades of dismissing 'The Exorcist.' as a prime example of empty Exploitation Horror that doesn't deserve the praise that's heaped on it, I'm so happy that I decided to buy this 4K release and had the opportunity to totally reappraise it and finally appreciate just how good it is. So I highly recommend 'The Exorcist.' on 4K blu ray - including to non-Horror fans and even to practicing Catholics who are capable of keeping an open mind and taking the shocking visuals and the occasional foul language with a pinch of salt.

is a 1973 American supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin from a screenplay by William Peter Blatty, based on his 1971 novel of the same name. The film stars Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Jason Miller, and Linda Blair. The story follows the demonic possession of a young girl and her mother's attempt to rescue her through an exorcism by two Catholic priests. Blatty, who also produced, and Friedkin, his choice as director, had difficulty casting the film. Their choice of relative unknowns Burstyn, Blair, and Miller, instead of major stars, drew opposition from Warner Bros. Pictures executives. Principal photography was also difficult, taking place in both hot deserts and refrigerated sets. Many cast and crew were injured, some died, and unusual accidents delayed shooting. Production took twice as long as scheduled and cost almost three times the initial budget; the many mishaps have led to a belief that the film was cursed. The Exorcist was released in 24 theaters in the United States on December 26, 1973. Reviews were mixed, but audiences waited in long lines during cold weather; the sold-out shows were even more profitable for Warner, since they had booked it into those theaters under four wall distribution rental agreements, the first time a major studio had done that. Some viewers suffered adverse physical reactions, fainting or vomiting to shocking scenes such as a realistic cerebral angiography. Many children were allowed to see it, leading to charges that the MPAA ratings board had accommodated Warner by giving the film an R rating instead of the X rating to ensure the troubled production and its commercial success. Several cities attempted to ban it outright or prevent children from attending. At the end of its original theatrical run the film grossed $193 million, and has a lifetime gross of $441 million with subsequent re-releases. The cultural conversation around the film helped it become the first horror film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, as well as nine others. Blatty won Best Adapted Screenplay, while the sound engineers took Best Sound. It has had several sequels and was the highest-grossing R-rated horror film (unadjusted for inflation) until It. The Exorcist had a significant influence on pop culture and several publications regard it as one of the greatest horror films ever made. In 2010, the Library of Congress selected the film for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." Probably one of the best horror movies ever made and this contains the director cut version which includes the legendary spider walk scene only cut because the wires could not be hidden. It will scare anyone who hasn't seen it and still sends chills to anyone who has.