DVD Reviews

The Exorcist (Extended Director's Cut & Original Theatrical Edition) – Blu-ray Review

By Jeff Swindoll Oct 8, 2010, 14:58 GMT

Controversial and popular from the moment it opened, The Exorcist marks its historic Blu-ray premiere in a 2-Disc Edition featuring Stunning Hi-Def Presentations of the Original 1973 Theatrical Version and the 2000 Extended Director\'s Cut. The frightening and realistic tale of an innocent girl inhabited by a terrifying entity, her mother\'s frantic resolve to save her and two priests--one doubt-ridden, the other a rock of faith--joined in battling ultimate evil always ...more

“The power of Christ compels you” … to buy this Blu-ray!

“What an excellent day for an exorcism.”  Billed as one of the scariest movies ever, the Exorcist certainly spooked the audiences of 1973.  It still has the power to chill and never make you look at pea soup or listen to tubular bells the same way again. 

In Northern Iraq, archeologist Father Merrin (Max von Sydow) uncovers an artifact that sends a foreboding chill down his spine as he realizes that a confrontation with evil is going to be in his future.   

Meanwhile in Georgetown, Washington D.C., actress Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) is having strange occurrences in her home and they begin to affect her 12-year-old daughter Regan (Linda Blair).  Chris tries medical tests and psychiatry but those can’t seem to find out what is wrong with Regan. 

When her director, Burke Dennings (Jack MacGowran), is murdered outside her house and Regan does some horrifying things with a crucifix, she thinks that an exorcism might be in order. 

That murder is investigated by Lt. Kinderman (Lee J. Cobb).  She consults local priest and psychiatrist Father Karras (Jason Miller) who interviews Regan. 

He has been losing his faith over guilt on the death of his mother, so he has doubts that the child is possessed by the devil as Regan tells him (in the gravely voice of Mercedes McCambridge), but the church summons Father Merrin, an experienced exorcist, to perform the ritual. 

So he and Karras begin the grueling process to cast the demon out of the girl and not all will survive. 

The greatest trick the devil ever conceived was to convince mankind that he didn’t exist.  Then he must be really pissed at William Friedkin and William Peter Blatty as they’ve done more to convince mankind that he’s still out there and possessing 12-year-olds. 

Director William Friedkin, handpicked by Exorcist author William Peter Blatty, handles the duties with a documentary style so you almost get a true story vibe from the film (Blatty did base his book on a real exorcism). 

The Exorcist is one of the most money-making horror films of all time (although the filmmakers argue it is not a horror film at all) and you can certainly see why.  It’s a chilling look at demon possession and very few films have topped it since. 

The makeup by legend Dick Smith is also very effective, not only the vile possessed Regan but making Max von Sydow look much older than he was at the time (aging makeup appears to be a specialty of Smith). 

The film may appear to be a slow-burn to our jaded PG-13 youth of the day, but when the Devil finally gets his due the pea soup hits the wall with abandon and terror. 

Not only Smith’s makeup but physical effects are still fabulous to this day (it’s funny to see they technicians furiously cranking behind the scenes and Owen Roizman provides some of his tricks in the new interview).  High caliber acting, direction, writing, and effects are the hallmark of this horror masterpiece. 

The Exorcist is presented in a jaw-dropping 1080p high definition transfer (1.85:1).  The film looks fantastic in both iterations, the original theatrical cut and the “version you’ve never seen” redo.  Friedkin even says that this is the “very best print ever made of the Exorcist” in the paper insert.  I’ll agree with him resoundingly.  Just a beautiful transfer. 

Special features are in high definition, unless noted.  Each version gets its own Blu-ray.  Special features for the extended director’s cut include the new director’s commentary, 30 minute “Raising Hell” making of, the 9 minute “Exorcist Locations” showing the Georgetown locations in ’73 and now, the 10 minute “Faces of Evil” about the different versions of the film, and 7 minutes of trailers, TV spots, and radio spots (in standard definition). 

The original theatrical cut disc’s special features include (all in standard definition): a commentary from Friedkin, a commentary from Blatty, a 2 minute director’s introduction, the 77 minute “Fear of God” extensively looking at the legacy of the film, 9 minutes of “Filmmaker interviews,” 3 minutes of sketches and storyboards, the 2 minute original ending, and 7 minutes of trailers and TV spots.  It’s all housed in Digibook packaging, a 40 page booklet of production notes, bios, and photos. 

The Exorcist is the gold standard of devil possession films.  Many have tried to emulate its success and few have succeeded (certainly not Exorcist II – Oy!).  It is still a powerful film thanks to its documentary style and excellent effects. 

The new transfer is sparkling and the special features great.  The Exorcist is highly recommended to add to your collection, just in time for Halloween.

Visit the DVD database for more information. The film is also available for download only on iTunes with all-new Bonus Extras.