Rating: 
Summary: Extremely Frightening
Review: This movie is the epitome of horror films. All horror films since it's release have been judged on how it rates with "the Exorcist" and for good reason. The DVD edition of this film captures the original look of the film. It's clarity is far superior to VHS tapes. I personally have been a fan of the Exorcist for many years, and have read countless reviews on the movie. Not one was bad. I have also learned that there may be a new version of the Exorcist soon available with never before seen footage, like Reagan (Linda Blair) Spider Walking on the staircase, as it had been originally depicted. Look for it. In the mean time, we will be horrified with this. If you have never seen the Exorcist, you are in for one HELL of a ride. END
Rating:
Summary: One of the scariest books written pre-Stephen King!
Review: The Exorcist was one of the scariest books I've read in a very long time! I've read all of Stephen King's books and this one even topped Pet Semetary! So if you are a horror fan, like myself, you have to read The Exorcist. I can't wait to see the new version on tape! END
Rating:
Summary: It is the only movie that ever has scared me
Review: That was the most scarry movie i have ever seen. When I saw that movie I couldn't sleep for almost a year END
Rating: 
Summary: Unseen version takes it down a notch.
Review: I still say Linda Blair should have won an Academy Award for her performance here. I mean, think about it. How hard could it have been for a little girl to be so disgusting & evil. The Exorcist has been called the scariest movie of all time, & stil remains. This unseen version does some good things and a couple bad things. First, the flashes of demon faces is a brilliant touch and manages to make you feel quite uneasy. The infamous "spider walk" scene truly takes you off guard the first time you see it. By the second time, it starts to look kinda silly. Still very scary though. Exorcist is one of the greatest horror movies, not because of how scary it is, but simply because its a good movie. By todays standards its a little slow, but the story of a Devil possesed little girl still has as much power today. The final added scene is pointless. The final scene kinda ruins it, but I'm I dont want to spoil it for anybody so buy it.
Rating:
Summary: "I'm Telling You That Thing Upstairs Is Not My Daughter!"
Review: Many people rank 1973's "The Exorcist" right up there as one of the "best", the "scariest", and the most "disturbing" motion pictures of all time. And rightly so, in my opinion. All of these adjectives do indeed apply to this landmark horror film. "The Exorcist" started scaring the living daylights out of movie-goers when it premiered in U.S. theaters on Wednesday, December 26, 1973. It's a movie that possesses that magic combination of elements to "unsettle" almost anyone watching it. I imagine even those who think they are "immune" to being scared by simply "a movie" find themselves getting a shiver or two during some of the classic and well-remembered scenes that are in this film. In my view, some of the most chill-inducing scenes in the movie are BEFORE Regan becomes fully "possessed" by evil forces. E.g.: There's a scene in which Regan's mother (played by the fabulous actress Ellen Burstyn) enters Regan's frigid bedroom and tucks her daughter in. The camera stares directly into Regan's sleeping face as Miss Burstyn leaves the room. Then we see that Regan wasn't asleep at all, as her eyes suddenly open and she peers directly at us (the camera). An eerie scene to be sure, as we begin to wonder what forces are lurking within this cute, innocent little girl. It's that always-disquieting element of the "unknown" that makes this movie so powerful and nail-bitingly suspenseful. First-time viewers just don't know what to expect next, which is certain to make them squirm in their seats even more. The part of "Regan MacNeil" was performed flawlessly by Linda Blair (her third movie role). Linda, who played a 12-year-old in the film, was actually 13 (and later 14) during the course of the long 204-day shooting period. When the film finally opened in theaters the day after Christmas 1973, it was less than a month shy of Linda's 15th birthday. But, as things turned out, the protracted and grueling production schedule was more than worth it -- considering the outstanding final results on screen. Director William Friedkin did a masterful job of unfolding the plot in a natural and well-paced manner. It doesn't in any way feel "rushed". Everything about this production seems "right" -- from the excellent cast, to the atmosphere created within the MacNeil house (which is downright bone-chilling once you get into that bedroom), to the "Georgetown" setting. It's all just perfect. This review is for the "25th Anniversary Special Edition Widescreen Boxed Set" (VHS Edition), which includes a great package of neat stuff. In addition to a nice-looking Widescreen (1.85:1) version of "The Exorcist", this deluxe set also includes the following collectible items: >> A terrific 52-page full-sized book (softcover) entitled "The Exorcist: The Making Of A Classic Motion Picture". The photo of Regan on Page 2 (opposite the Table of Contents) is enough to give you the creeps right off the bat. Many other high-quality photographs are included in the book, mixed in with the intriguing text, text which gives the reader an outstanding insight into the movie's creation and filming. This is one of the best "Making Of" books you'll ever run across. >> A Soundtrack CD. (Unfortunately, however, the film's main theme, "Tubular Bells", is not included on this Compact Disc. Very curious indeed. I can't help but scratch my head regarding this odd omission.) >> A set of 8 "Lobby Cards" (with "#1" being my favorite; they're numbered [1 to 8] at the very bottom of each card, along the white border). >> A "Senitype Film Frame" (and an enlargement), featuring a classic image from the movie. All of these items are housed in a very sturdy two-sectioned collector's box (with inner tray and matching slipcase). Overall, a very handsome set. This "Limited Edition" deluxe boxed set (which was originally released in 1998, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the movie) also was produced in a DVD version. That anamorphically-enhanced Widescreen DVD variant offers up (naturally) a better-quality picture than the video on the VHS version. However, the VHS isn't too bad either, format limitations considered. The VHS audio is presented in Dolby Surround Stereo. The VHS version runs for approximately 177 minutes, with the film itself lasting 122 minutes. The cut of the movie on this VHS tape is the "original theatrical cut", as opposed to the longer, 132-minute "Version You've Never Seen". The 55 minutes of bonus material consists of: 3 Original Theatrical Trailers for "The Exorcist", an "introduction" by Director William Friedkin, plus a behind-the-scenes documentary, "The Fear Of God: The Making Of The Exorcist". This is a top-notch featurette that is well worth seeing, which includes the likes of cast and crew interviews, screen test footage, and some outtakes not previously seen. All of the extra features are shown before the movie on the VHS tape version. Warner Home Video allows us to bring the terror of "The Exorcist" right into our homes via this attractive deluxe boxed set. This is a most worthy addition to any horror-film library.
Rating:
Summary: one of the scariest movies of all time
Review: First of all i wont go into great detail about this movie as so many other reviewers have. what i will say is if you have not seen this movie see it. i was not born before it came out in 1973 so when it was re-released in 2000 i saw it in the theatres and i must say i like this version better. Take the scene where ellen burstyn is coming home from the doctor's and walks into her daughter's room. in the original there was no music. in the new version there is music that creeps up on you and i think makes the scene better not to mention the flashing demon faces. and the spiderwalk scene is very wild. i have seen this many times and it is one of my favorite horror movies. Linda Blair and Ellen Burtsyn both should have won academy awards for this. Watch this in the dark by yourself with the lights out.
Rating:
Summary: The Best and Original
Review: This is probably the best horror film to date, still an excellent movies even though the effects are dated. It destroyed (Linda Blair's) the little girl's career as an actress because people were never able to disassociate her with the possesed girl. She was only 15 when she made the movie.
Rating:
Summary: A psychological scarefest!
Review: To call "The Exorcist" a horror film is a drastic understatement, selling it short on the actual purpose of its story about a young girl possessed by a demonic presence. It is a shocking movie in terms of content and certain physical attributes, but the real story that lies within the material is something much stronger than a simple tale of exorcism. It's a mind-opening film experience as much as it is an eye-opening one. In close collaboration with screenwriter William Peter Blatty, the author of the famed novel on which the movie is based, director William Friedkin brings to life the story of the lives of Chris Macneil (Ellen Burstyn) and her daughter, Regan (Linda Blair), who live in Georgetown. Chris is an actress, not completely well-known, but enough to throw expensive parties and afford some help around the house. All seems well until Regan begins acting out of the ordinary, behaving in ways that graduate from simple to outright shocking. Her bed rocks violently in the night; her attitude towards others becomes increasingly temperamental; her skin becomes placid and breaks out into legions, and things ranging from violent convulsions to masturbating with a crucifix push Chris over the top, causing her to enlist the help of Damien Karras, who is haunted by the memories of his mother, with whom we see him interacting in the beginning third of the film. It is at this point that the movie's true horror begins. The realization comes across Karras that in order to cleanse the young girl, an exorcism must be performed. Heading the ritual is Father Merrin (Max Von Sydow), who warns Karras of the psychological games played by the devil. The final act is a tour de force of horror at its most involving, as the devil possessing Regan becomes increasingly agitated by the ritual. As I have previously stated, "The Exorcist" is not a horror movie in the traditional sense. I watched the film hoping for something that would cause me to jump out of my seat, but what I found was something much more horrific and, at the same time, completely engrossing. The devil is portrayed as a relentless force of evil, and is everything we've ever been brought up to believe about him. He lies, and most importantly, he plays games of the mind by using Karras's mother as a ploy to make him weak. To watch the way in which Karras must resist these lies is compelling and masterful. And even the physical elements of horror are some of the most shocking cinematic moments ever. The crucifix masturbation scene is very disturbing and graphic, while the slow digression of Regan's appearance from a cheery little girl to a hideously deformed creature is slowly chilling. And those pea soup rumors you've been hearing... they're some of the biggest gross out moments in any movie. The movie is also not without its share of brilliant casting, boasting some stunning performances from Max von Sydow and Ellen Burstyn. Von Sydow gives Merrin's character a stable and forceful demeanor, while Burstyn's Chris Macneil is emotional while never becoming too whiny. she is able to sell us on her character's fear for her daughter's life. Linda Blair, in one of the most challenging roles in history, perfectly segues from cheery to eerie, with help of a little make-up, of course. If you were able to connect more with "The Silence of the Lambs" than "I Know What You Did Last Summer," then this is the movie for you. It is a psychological journey that is religiously truthful and revealing, while also dotting itself with small physical horror elements and twists. You can't really ask for a better scare or shock than this.
Rating:
Summary: The best horror movie ever made!
Review: The Exorcist is one of those rare finds. It is a superbly crafted film with a great story and top-notch acting and it also manages to scare the "you know what" right out of you. The thought of the demonic posession of a pre-teen girl is too much for most people to ponder rationally. Yet somehow, William Friedkin (making the movie from the gripping page-turner written by William Peter Blatty) presents this tale in a straight forward manner that doesn't flinch in it's ability to deal with this horrifying subject matter. Contrary to what some people have mentioned the special effects are NOT dated. They are still some of the best effects created in Hollywood. (Perhaps minimalist by todays standards which make them even more incredible).
Highlights of the DVD are the soundtrack, which you'll be scrambling to turn down if you have a home theater system, and the documentary about the making of the film which highlights the many challenges the crew encountered and some of the eerie things that took place during the filming. Look for the infamous "Spider Walk" scene which was left cut on the editor's floor.
Some people I know still refuse to watch this film on its reputation alone. Don't be one of them. You'll be missing one of the best films made in the 70's and without a doubt the greatest horror movie of all time.
Rating:
Summary: The Exorcist so hot you will buy the DVD !!!!!!
Review: I think this movie was really good. It starts out really slow, but in the end I think it is worth waiting through. Also, a lot of movies get tagged with the horror label. When in reality, they really aren't scary at all. This is one such movie. I didn't find this movie scary one bit. I think it's a movie that just freaks you out more than scares you. Obviously people get scared too easily. This movie is more of a suspense, thriller type deal.
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