Rating: 
Summary: Missing footage
Review: This restored version of The Exorcist was better than the original version, but I was disappointed by a couple of things. When the original movie was released on DVD, it had a documentary called "The Fear of god". In it, they showed some of this cut footage including the spider walk which showed Regan "spidering" down the stairs. When she gets to the bottom of the stairs, she flexes her tongue like a snake and then tries to get Sharon while walking on her hands and knees. I'd like to know why this was not included in this new added footage cut. The spider scene was so quick in this movie it was barely worth the effort to see. Why didn't you show the whole spider walk scene, Mr. Freidkin? There was also no blood in Regan's mouth when she reached the bottom of the stairs in the original footage. Actually I think this was CGIed in to give today's audience some gore. Which is unfortunate because The Exorcist never had any bloody scenes it it. That documentary also showed footage of Ellen and Linda walking around town and sight seeing. Freidkin said he didn't include this in the new version because he lost the dialog tapes. But it could have still been kept in and had music over the footage. They could have at least put that other footage on the DVD in an "other footage" section. Like in the original DVD release, there is a separate audio tract with that actress (forgot her name) doing extra demon voices. This version also has Freidkin doing a narration over the movie. It starts out with reflections of how the movie was made, but then it turns into Freidkin simply describing the scenes as we see them--in a very long and repetitive fashion I might add! This new version was good, but there's still another "version we've never seen" out there. Maybe we'll see it one day.
Rating: 
Summary: What A Difference A Few Minutes Can Make!
Review: What a difference a few minutes of footage can make! Having seen this film countless times since it's original release, watching the newest release was like seeing the entire film for the first time. The sound is fantastic! One place (which I won't mention), made me jump like never before, haha... (congradulations! I don't scare easily.) The extra footage adds an even more solid, subtle base to the overall tale, and yes, the 'spider walk', brief as it is, is a welcomed sight. If your eyes are alert, you can play 'Count The Pazuzus', as shadows and reflections show the demon hovering around the house as it zooms in for the kill. I must say, if you are into audio commentaries (I had the DVD version), that is a bit of a snooze. Where were the behind-the-scenes tales and trivia from 'back-when', and talk of why/where areas of the film were remastered from an artistic viewpoint? Was it fun or a chore? The director simply tells you what you already know as far as the story itself as it moves along... (It's like 'Read along with William Friedkin' :) Once in a while he might tell you an interesting tidbit (like the history behind the dig in Iraq), but I had a paperback book from the early 70's that was much more in-depth in the making and goings-ons behind the film you see. He scarcly mentions much about the new scenery added, and while talking about the scene in the doctor's office, there's a fun 'echo' as he says exactly what the characters are saying, but he's telling it like it's supposed to be informative for the listener, haha! Still, you get to see the show again, from a different perspective, so not a total loss, just not an additional reason to buy...
Rating:
Summary: A horror classic!
Review: This is the story of a young girl (Linda Blair) who is possessed by Satan, and the steps her mother (Ellen Burstyn) takes to find a priest to rid her of that possession. This is one of the best horror classics ever made, if not the best. Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair turn out excellent performances. The film also stars Max Von Sydow and Lee J. Cobb. A must see film!
Rating:
Summary: A Truly Terrifying Experience !
Review: I watched "The Exorcist" for the first time a few days ago. Until then everyone told me it was the scarriest movie they had ever seen.I'm a scaredy cat,so it took alot of guts to finally sit down and watch it. I'm glad I did,because it truly is a very scary but extrodinary movie. The movie is about a 11-year old girl named Regan who becomes possessed by a demon. There is one scene in the movie called the "spider walk" you will have to see the movie to know what it is,but it is the best scene in the whole movie. The movie basically is about the fight between good and evil,but if you watch the movie you will find out that it is about so much more. I would not recommend this movie to someone who can't stand the sight of blood.This movie in my opinion is gory. I would also not recommend this movie to anyone under the age of 18. For the rest of you who are searching for the ultimate horror movie,you can stop looking because you won't find one any scarier than "The Exorcist".
Rating:
Summary: Must see film!
Review: THE EXORCIST
Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair, 1973 Synopsis
A 12 year old girl is possessed by the devil. Her mother tries everything she can to save her. My Review
Easily one of the best horror films of all time. This movie was far too intelligent for it's time. It plays with your belief system and many people were confused and haunted from what this story brought to the screen. You be messed up for weeks. Very, very well done. Don't sleep alone!
Rating:
Summary: Does the new ending ...., or what?
Review: While the Exorcist probably won't scare your average 12-year old, I'll never forget seeing it in the theatre back in '73. After cutting away from every scene in that horrible bedroom, dead silence in the theatre was broken by nervous laughter. Of course, back then we were still fairly innocent. Psycho was still considered scary, movies actually had dialog and sometimes thought even went into the plot. I normally don't write reviews, but I feel a need to respond to the kiddies because I'm getting fairly tired of reading about 12-year old, kool dudes who weren't scared. Big deal. Go play in your mind palaces. Exorcist is a rare classic. A movie that's almost as good as the book. On the other hand, that new ending really wasn't necessary even though it's from the book. I think Blatty saw Casablanca(sp?) one too many times.
Rating:
Summary: Trend setter in the horror Genre
Review: The Exorcist must have really set a trend for future horror movies as even by today's standards with computer effects and animation it still chills the blood with horror. I enjoyed the movie, the effects, both visual and sound, made it realistic and believable with the story moving along. I was only disappointed by one thing---the ending. While not wanting to give away the plot, I genuinely think that more could have been done with it. I found the doctors' desperation at finding the cause Regan's(the possessed) condition really amusing--with the long list of possible causes--some of which are really wacky!!!! Otherwise, a massive roller-coaster-like experience, worth the money and interesting to see.
Rating:
Summary: BEYOND TIME MASTERPIECE
Review: I'm an Exorcist fan since the 1973 release. It was my first video in Beta, my first in VHS, Laser, DVD spetial 25th aniversary. Now the new version is as close to perfection as a movie can be. The most remarkable achivement is the remastered sound. The "subliminal" images added to the film makes the house itself part of the possesion. (Like the image in the kitchen when Chris arrives and the mother image in the window at the end) If you take one look at this film from Chris Mcneal point of view, you'll see the perfection of Ellen Burstyn performance and the terrifying experience she's going throug. You dont have to be a beleaver, to understand her desperation and terror. As a cinematographic work, is perfect. The only "But" is the staircase scene, is great, yes, but is better in the "deleted scenes" in the 25th anniversary eddition. Spetially frightening is the new sound sorrounding Karras when Reagan appears as his mother. The rest of the added scenes help to the continuity of the film. I've always thougth "The Exorcist" as a work of art and not as the terror flick many think it is.
Rating:
Summary: This movie really makes you think
Review: In my opinion, this movie is one of the greatest and scariest horror films ever. I consider it a "classic". I recently bought and saw this new version with previously unseen footage on DVD and it really looks great. For those who have home theatre Hi Fi systems, the 5.1 Dolby Digital sound is excellent, considering that this film is almost 30 years old. They did a very good job remastering the video and audio. The short scene of the infamous "Spiderwalk" is for me the scariest footage I have ever seen in a film in all my life. I consider that it was a big error not including this scene when originally released in 1973. I am glad that we can now enjoy this new version of this classic at home and at night. Buy it !
Rating:
Summary: Satan Himself Got Scared Watching This
Review: By now, we have all seen the original Exorcist, and refused to be alone for days after. Now, 12 extra minutes, including the rumored "spider walk" scene, are included in this newly re-editied release. You will never sleep again.....
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