Rating: 
Summary: Comically Horrifying
Review: When I first saw this film by Director William Friedkin and William Peter Blatty at the age of 9, I couldn't help but laugh at how absurd this film was. The notion that peoples are somehow possessed by evil spirits seeking to wage a war against a supremely good absolute deity seemed obviously preposterous even then.Perhaps it was intentionally done to make it mysterious, but the audience is never informed why the demonic entity chose the young girl played by Linda Blair. I must say that Jason Miller and Max von Sydow played their roles well as the priests and Ellen Burstyn convincingly portrayed a skeptical but desperate mother. The unfortunate thing about the film is its portrayal of ignorant religious mumbo jumbo rituals as being an effective way of curing what are obviously serious psychiatric disorders. Perhaps the film should have also shown how religious entities successfully performed exorcisms in the past by drowning, burning at the stake, and simply torturing to death "possessed" peoples to chase the demons out: peoples such as Joan of Arc whom the Church somewhat apologetically cannonized almost five hundred years later. Indeed, we must remind ourselves of the very reliable scientific methods of the Church that convinced countless peoples for centuries (through regular threats and acts of excommunication/ostracism, death, and/or torture of course)that the Earh was only 10,000 years old, flat, and at the center of our solar system. The movie should also show the success rates primitive societies have in curing medical conditions with similar rituals and the life expectancies of their inhabitants. With such an insight, the idea of exorcisms as cures will be the only thing to be seen as horrifying in horror films such as this one.
Rating: 
Summary: The Supposed "Added Scene" You Have Never Seen
Review: There is an added scene in this version which shows Regan crawling down the stairs backwards. It totally does not fit in with the mood of the film, and I can understand why it was left out of the original version. It is almost comical in its fast motion pace. It is my opinion that it is not even original footage, but a digital creation in order to boost the sales of the DVD, thus being praised as "lost footage".
There are also flashes of demonic faces throughout this new version. While a few carefully placed faces were effective, I think they went overboard and used it too much.
Other things to look for:
When Regan levitates off the bed, you can see the wires holding her up.
When her eyes are pure white, her eyes were actually closed and her eyelids had white makeup on them. The film is beautifully photographed and acted. The mood is chilling and the music effective. The scariest movie ever? That is a matter of opinion. You can sing one song, I can sing another.
I just don't see the need for this "new version". I'll stick to the old.
Rating:
Summary: More funny than scary...
Review: I really don't know why, but I though this was kinda funny. Don't go by me though. What I will say is if you're a fan of horror flicks, this will scare the living daylights outta you. So scared that you might even consider refunding/trading it in. That is the only way I can see you wasting your money. If you were a fan of the original, this one has added scenes to "enhance" the experience. A lot of people also say this movie was the start of blasphemy. Rent it, see how it is.
Rating: 
Summary: Religious Beliefs
Review: In production of the movie, "The Exorcist".Was an
actual true story often based on the fact of a Reiner boy,
that was done on him.Only in his case ,the house itself became
more eerie than the exorcism done on the boy.And most of the people that have seen it happen,would get the same feeling,
for seeing the film "The Exorcist" as the real thing.This movie,
has different subjects in view as,good vs. evil,bright side vs.
darkside, and right and wrong.In reflection of the movie," The
Exorcist", it is also showing the basic modern science being
done on (Linda Blair),in the hospital scenes.This shows how the
process works before the possession of the devil himself gets into the 12 yr. old girl.The procedure of the exorcism was a legendary ritual being done in Africa,and it follows up into the
movie.Between 2 devil's of Pazuzu and Captain Howdy,their souls reaches into to a human and takes control of the mind and soul of a human body.The best way to use the procedure of exorcism, is to find the way to bring out the good from the person and the evilness to dissapear from the body,and back to hell where it belongs.To summon up on the movie "The Exorcist",it does feel like an outer-body experience and a strong belief in the occult and God vs. the Devil.God should take control of the mind,body,and soul of every human being,not the Devil.
Rating:
Summary: Stick with the original
Review: This is a 5 star movie, but the issue here is the added scenes. I was curious, being a fan of the original, but I can't help but feel the original cuts were justified. Especially so when it involved the extra flashing of the demon's face. More dicy is the flashing of Father Merrin's face at the window before Karras jumps, which adds a spritual clarity where ambiguity has long been the established tone for the film. To some extent, the additions are good for seeing the director's intentions, sort of like place markers, but the original cuts were wise and obviously considered since it impacted the tone of the move, thus adding an understated power to a very disturbing and scary movie.
Rating:
Summary: 4.5 out of 5
Review: Thirty years after it's release, THE EXORCIST remains the scariest film of all-time. Adapted by William Peter Blatty from his own novel, this legendary horror flick follows the difficulties of a mother (Ellen Burstyn) whose 12-year-old girl (Linda Blair, in her biggest performance) becomes possessed by the devil, and how the mother discovers that the only way to save her daughter is an exorcism. There is frightening directing by William Friedkin (THE FRENCH CONNECTION), a very short by haunting score by Jack Nitzsche, and great performances by Burstyn, Blair, Jason Miller, Lee J. Cobb and Max von Sydow. To add to that, there's horrifyingly realistic special effects (by Marcel Vercoutere) and eerie cinematography (by Owen Roizman). Now we also have "The Version You've Never Seen" - which, hopefully you have seen, because it includes ten minutes of new, terrifying footage. Once you've seen, the film's hundreds of ghastly images will never leave your mind. Simply put, THE EXORCIST will live on to horrify us for generations to come.
Rating:
Summary: Buy both versions or...
Review: While "The Exorcist: 25th Anniversary Special Edition" DVD presents the original and definitive cut of the film (and contains the indispensable 74 minute BBC documentary "Fear of God"), the new expanded version adds some deleted scenes and digital retouches that provide an alternate version that Exorcist buffs will want to own as well. Some restored scenes truly flesh out the storyline ("first doctor visit") while others function more like a bonus track would on a classic album CD reissue (neat, but don't really belong in the original song sequence; "spider-walk"). The expanded ending changes the tone and mood of the film and the digital retouches add some more subliminal Easter eggs. No matter how you feel about the 2000 re-release, since it was billed as a separate version, "The Version You've Never Seen," there is nothing to really get upset about. Nobody is re-writing film history here, just giving a different vision of it.
Rating:
Summary: Don't Get Your Hopes Up!!!
Review: The Exorcist is a pretty good movie. But it is not horror! Everone says "The Exorcist is the Scariest movie of all time," or "Don't Watch the Exorcist Alone!" Well I wrote this review to prove them wrong. The Exorcist is very good movie...but it was made to be scary, and it's nothing of the sort. I would've given this film 5 stars, but i didn't because i was expecting horror. What I got was a beautiful, masterful film of pure genius. If I was looking forward to that kind of film, you wouldn't be reading a negative review; it would be positive. Great acting, cinematography, special effects, and storyline make this a disturbing, desciptive movie on the demonic takeover on a child's life...but if you want to see REAL horror...see the films below: Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2
Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3: Leatherface
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Jason
A Blair Witch Project
The Shining
Halloween 1
Halloween 2
Halloween 3
Halloween 4
Halloween 5
Halloween: H2o
Halloween: Ressurection
Silence of the Lambs
Hannibal
28 Days Later
Psyco
Jeepers Creepers
Omen
Night of the Living Dead
Don't Look Now
Rating:
Summary: Exorcist 25th Anniv. vs. Version You've Never Seen DVD
Review: In this review I'll be reviewing both DVD versions of the excellent film The Exorcist that are available on DVD. (There is another Exorcist DVD that came out in 1997, but is now discontinued. This will not be reviewed.) First I will review the DVDs, then I will analyze both versions of the film to see which is the better version to own. DVDs: Picture: Both versions are presented in their original theatrical aspect ratio of about 1.78:1. In terms of video quality, both DVDs are about equal. Sharpness and detail are pretty good for a film that's now 30 years old. This is certainly the best The Exorcist has ever looked. If you have viewed only the VHS or the Laserdisc, then this can look like a pretty washed out film. Not so on DVD! Colors are very good for a 30 year old film. (5/5) Sound: While the video quality on both DVDs were very close, here, The Version You've Never Seen definately has the edge. The Dolby Digital 5.1 remix on the 25th Anniversary DVD is pretty good. Surrounds are not that active, and most of the action seems to take place in the center channel. There is one scene in the film that screamed for surround sound, but the surrounds aren't active in this scene on this DVD. That scene is during the exorcism, the room begins to shake violently as Regan is floating in the air. The Dolby Digital 5.1 EX remix on The Version You've Never Seen corrects not only this scene, but the surrounds are much more active, for a much more enthralling, and ultimately, more frightening mix. The mix on The Version You've Never Seen is absolutely astonishing for a 30 year old film. 25th Anniv: (4/5) Version You've: (5/5) Extras: The 25th Anniversary DVD is filled with fascinating extras. First off is a commentary by director Willaim Friedkin. This is very entertaining and informative. There's also a commentary by William Peter Blatty, which isn't as good, but still worthwhile. Next up is the excellent 75 minute documentary The Fear of God: The Making of The Exorcist. This is really a great documentary, and is one of the best I've ever seen. Then there are additional interviews with Friedkin and Blatty discussing Friedkin's cut of the film, and how Blatty prefers the cut that was orinally shown to him. Next up are sketches and storyboards. Finally there are about 7 or 8 TV spots and 4 theatrical trailors. The Version You've Never Seen doesn't have near as many extras. First up, there's a new commentary by Friedkin, which just basically explain what's going on onscreen, and some the spiritual meanings behind the movie. There's also some production notes, 2 theatrical trailors, 4 TV spots, and 2 radio commercials. 25th anniv: (5/5) Version You've: (3/5) Movie: The Exorcist is an excellent film. Anyone who says that this film is pure evil, and should never be seen by anyone and Satan worshipers would only enjoy this movie don't have any idea what they're talking about. I'm a Christian, and I think that this is a very important film that has a deep and powerful message. Does the devil win at the end? Absolutely not. Notice if you will, when Father Karras screams at the demon to come into him, in an act of self-sacrifice, his face flashes briefly then he jumps out the window to save Regan. And as Father Dyer is giving him the last rights, Damion squeezes Dyers hand, showing that he is conscience enough to give his soul to God. So, good won over absolute evil. Is there evil in the film? Yes. What I admire most about The Exorcist is that Friedkin had the guts to show pure evil, and he didn't pussy foot around the subject matter. I also feel that the masturbation with the crucifix scene was merited, and did serve an ultimate purpose. Is the movie offensive? Yes, but it had to be. One must remember that if somebody were possessed by a demon, that this is probably what it would be like. The demon would scream every foul word possible in an attempt to weaken those around it. I believe what William friedking says about the film. You take out of the film what you bring to it. If you believe, like i do, that there is good in the world, and that it can overcome evil, then The exorcist will re-affirm your faith. I believe that this is an excellent, thought provoking film, and should be seen by every one, especially Catholics and Christians who have open minds. The Version You've Never Seen adds 11 minuted of footage back into the original film. I didn't mind the new ending. I felt that the "spider-walk" sequence felt really odd, and out of place. The extended dialog between Karras and Merrin is well done, and probably should have been there in the first place. Also there is a new examination scene at the doctors office with Regan. This, too, should have been left in the film. Another important scene that should have been in the original cut is a scene with Father Karras listening to a tape of Regan's natural voice before the possession. There is another cut scene that can bee seen on the 25th Anniversary DVD of Regan and her mother, Chris MacNeil touring around Washington for Regan's birthday that I really wish would have been put back in. Whichever way you choose to watch the film, it's still a masterpice, and the scariest film of all time. Both versions: (5/5)
Rating:
Summary: How could they?
Review: The original cut version of The Exorcist was probably the greatest horror film of all time. This new version severely diminishes the impact of the original version by adding a totally absurd and irrelevant ending. Despite William Friedkin's denials, I believe that this was done only as a marketing ploy. I just hope that the original cut stays in release and this one goes away. Besides, if you want to see the original ending, it is on the original release as one of the special features. Stay away from this turkey.
|
