The Exorcist: The Complete Anthology (1973-2005)

[#Darren]

Originally Posted by crutzulee

I too thought that was a bit of an odd ordering and put it down to a mistake..but I suppose if one is to take a Renny Harlin movie over a Schrader, Then a person is probably more apt to like more current fare horror (mid 80's forward) as opposed to 60's 70's (of which the original Exorcist is the pinnacle).

I grew up in the 70's and 80's on a steady diet of horror and have found, that as I grow older, I have less and less of a tolerance of the former and a greater appreciation of the latter.

For me, The Exorcist is not just the greatest horror film of all time, it is in my top 5 movies of all time. Growing up Catholic, it re-enforced the fear-mongering from all sides of my upbringing (parents, school, church). Years later (and much removed from Christendom), I find the story of Father Karras' moments of doubt, Chris's fear for her daughter, Merrin's lifelong struggle and the unlikely friendship between priest and cop intriguing...Great cinema, indeed...

Ther catholic church was behind this film. You may have seen the interviews with the consultant priests that they used to help make the film.

I find it ironic that you think it is the greatest horror film, but view it's theme as "fear mongering" and representative of something you have moved away from.

[crutzulee]

Originally Posted by #Darren

Ther catholic church was behind this film. You may have seen the interviews with the consultant priests that they used to help make the film.

I find it ironic that you think it is the greatest horror film, but view it's theme as "fear mongering" and representative of something you have moved away from.

I would say that my "enlightenment" with age has coincided with a decline in the ability to enjoy horror films. As I've lost my belief in things that go bump in the night, the devil and the concept of good and evil, I find it hard to be scared - which is, I think, the reason we watch horror.

This movie still has that ability to take me back to that place...to suspend my disbelief for a couple of hours...to take me back to that time and place where, as little boy this kind of evil truly existed for the bible tells me so...lol..

[ditcin]

With all the disappointment and short comings with this release WARNER'S sloppiness comes bounding through - I was going through the bonus materials on the discs when I found the trailer for THE BEGINNING is actually for DOMINION. I mean, really! Why didn't they just put that tailer on the right film and put the one for BEGINNING on the right disc!

Yet another reason they just didn't care about this release.

[Xen11]

The Exorcist was scary and extremely powerful for me as a kid when I believed in that stupid bullshit. But now, the only thing scary in the film is the underlying "is what I think is happening, happening?".


For instance, relating to the implication that the movie director is sexually molesting the daughter of his movie star. What was he doing up there in her room? Why was he taking a walk with her days earlier? Why did she kill him? It seemed like an inner desire manifesting itself. "Come on, Regan, stroke and twist the head, baby. Just like I taught you by that tree." "I'll twist your head, ****er." 


The brilliance of the film is how it preys upon the fear of the inevitable reality that is: losing one's innocence, losing the innocence of a child, growing up, getting old, neglecting your mother/father as they near death, shame, guilt, etc. 
The new generation has to take on the sins of the older generation (much like how Father Karras takes on Father Merrin's literal demon(s)).

It's about passing on the will, the spirit, or "faith" to go on in an inevitably doomed world that is life and believing in others; to trust in others to carry on despite past transgressions (Father Merrin and Karras to Regan and vice-versa). 


Regan acting out can be seen as her reaction to being let down by the older generation. Her parents are getting a divorce, her mother is constantly absent and doesn't pay enough attention to her, while she gets raped by the one her mother devotes her time to. The priests, the "Fathers", are trying to put faith back in her, to believe in them again, to give her hope that all is not lost. 


You also have this happening during war protests when the young generation disowns the older generation for their past sins. You can see the digging up of the past of Man's evils as Father Merrin digging up the artifact and that being the symbol of our sins. He has to come to terms with that, with what he has inherited and now must pass on.

But to think of it as literal demonic biblical bullshit is not interesting at all.



It's very unfortunate if William Friedkin believes that now. I can understand making this movie as a believer back then, when he was younger and more gullible, the world not as informed as it is now of truth and reality. It makes me sick when he tries to pass off that "true story" of that boy as true. I lose respect for him as a person when he talks like a jackass.
The genius of the story of The Exorcist should, of course, be credited to Blatty and Friedkin for bringing it to life. I just wonder if Friedkin actually gets what he's adapting. (Bug is another masterpiece he adapted.)

[crutzulee]

In fairness, in listening to Friedkin, it's obvious that he is a showman and a story teller. The mystique of his masterpiece would be be diminished if he DIDN'T play along...

[ditcin]

Originally Posted by Xen11

The Exorcist was scary and extremely powerful for me as a kid when I believed in that stupid bullshit. But now, the only thing scary in the film is the underlying "is what I think is happening, happening?".


For instance, relating to the implication that the movie director is sexually molesting the daughter of his movie star. What was he doing up there in her room? Why was he taking a walk with her days earlier? Why did she kill him? It seemed like an inner desire manifesting itself. "Come on, Regan, stroke and twist the head, baby. Just like I taught you by that tree." "I'll twist your head, ****er." 


The brilliance of the film is how it preys upon the fear of the inevitable reality that is: losing one's innocence, losing the innocence of a child, growing up, getting old, neglecting your mother/father as they near death, shame, guilt, etc. 
The new generation has to take on the sins of the older generation (much like how Father Karras takes on Father Merrin's literal demon(s)).

It's about passing on the will, the spirit, or "faith" to go on in an inevitably doomed world that is life and believing in others; to trust in others to carry on despite past transgressions (Father Merrin and Karras to Regan and vice-versa). 


Regan acting out can be seen as her reaction to being let down by the older generation. Her parents are getting a divorce, her mother is constantly absent and doesn't pay enough attention to her, while she gets raped by the one her mother devotes her time to. The priests, the "Fathers", are trying to put faith back in her, to believe in them again, to give her hope that all is not lost. 


You also have this happening during war protests when the young generation disowns the older generation for their past sins. You can see the digging up of the past of Man's evils as Father Merrin digging up the artifact and that being the symbol of our sins. He has to come to terms with that, with what he has inherited and now must pass on.

But to think of it as literal demonic biblical bullshit is not interesting at all.



It's very unfortunate if William Friedkin believes that now. I can understand making this movie as a believer back then, when he was younger and more gullible, the world not as informed as it is now of truth and reality. It makes me sick when he tries to pass off that "true story" of that boy as true. I lose respect for him as a person when he talks like a jackass.
The genius of the story of The Exorcist should, of course, be credited to Blatty and Friedkin for bringing it to life. I just wonder if Friedkin actually gets what he's adapting. (Bug is another masterpiece he adapted.)

Never have I known anyone to state that Burk was molesting Regan. I would assume that he heard noises upstairs and went to investigate, was half way inebriated and was an easy target for the demon.
With the demon inflecting imposed masturbation via a crucifix I doubt it would stop Burk from molesting Regan when more torture towards Regan could be gained by allowing her a level of awareness while not being able to do anything about it. If anything, your assessment would support the demon in corruption - as the deeds of the Gemini Killer; which were expressed in the novels and E3 film.

Regan's need to be loved, her parents separation and the rest are simply fertile ground for guilt and lack of personal responsibility the demon plays on hurting those around the possessed - causing, or hope to cause a depressed state and abandonment of faith giving way in hopes to expose humanity less than Gods sees us and proving the devil we have more in common with him in nature that with God. This is a recurring theme throughout the films and brought out explicitly in both THE BEGINNING & DOMINION.

Whatever, or however your personal beliefs have changed since the original release of the first film it is and has been stated the story is about unexplainable events not found in science but in the outer grayer portions of superstition and faith. It is a supposition of "what if" these things came to pass and it couldn't be explained - yet bound to beliefs that seem incomprehensible to everyday life.

Like when a painter paints their art can expose their inner state of mind and feelings. Perhaps this film has become an outlet for you and your seeing things in a much more personal and disclosing way?

Either way, first and fore most both the novels and films are entertainment.

[crutzulee]

Review of Dominion up....

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Domin...102572/#Review

[hatter76]

pretty good review, sums things up pretty well.

a few errors .

it says that video release for Dominion has always been 1.78:1, thats not accurate, at least not on the US DVD, or the one in the Netherlands.

the Blu Ray packaging lists Dominion as 1.85:1, perhaps it's a typo.


And Morgan Creek had nothing to dow with Exorcist 2, only Exorcist 3.


but other than that a pretty good review.

[Ill_Be_Back]

I just got the Canadian release of the set. It only has bilingual text on the slip case but not on the disc case itself if anyone is interested.

[crutzulee]

Originally Posted by Ill_Be_Back

I just got the Canadian release of the set. It only has bilingual text on the slip case but not on the disc case itself if anyone is interested.

I'm interested...thanks...Is there any French writing on the disc art (or lack thereof).. If not, then I'm sure that the actual discs (mastering) are identical to what our friends to the south got and that the reviews are relevant to our purchase..

[Ill_Be_Back]

Originally Posted by crutzulee

I'm interested...thanks...Is there any French writing on the disc art (or lack thereof).. If not, then I'm sure that the actual discs (mastering) are identical to what our friends to the south got and that the reviews are relevant to our purchase..

The discs are identical to the US release with no French writing.

[SymbioticFunction]

A few thoughts. Never occured to me that Burke might have been a child molester, as stated I have always assumed that he was merely investigating unusual sounds from the bedroom. And he was asked to look after the child. Surprises me that someone thinks Exorcist is merely "okay" - it's a remarkable piece of cinema. Horror or otherwise. And I think all WB bds have universal PQ regardless of territory, never heard of an example where this wasn't the case.

[crutzulee]

My copy just arrived!!!!!

Yay Amazon.ca and Canada Post!!!

[Doombear]

I've ordered the Import versions from Amazon.ca, as I do not want the bilingual packaging appearing on my shelf. If I order the discs from Amazon.com; it will cost me about $30 more. Amazon.ca is now estimating the end of October for these to arrive to me. I can watch my DVDs or my Exorcist Blu Digibook in the meantime if I really need an Exorcist fix.

[MichaelR]

Originally Posted by hatter76

it says that video release for Dominion has always been 1.78:1, thats not accurate, at least not on the US DVD, or the one in the Netherlands.

the Blu Ray packaging lists Dominion as 1.85:1, perhaps it's a typo.

It's not a typo, but a standard Warner practice. Warner consistently formats 1.85:1 images at 1.78:1. This practice goes back to its DVD days. With only an occasional exception, all of Warner's Blu-rays listed as "1.85:1" measure out at 1.78:1. I no longer have the DVD of "Dominion", but I do not recall that it was treated any differently, despite the package labeling.

And Morgan Creek had nothing to dow with Exorcist 2, only Exorcist 3.

Infelicitous wording, which I've fixed. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. They had "experience" with both films, in the sense that they blamed "II" for the bad performance of "3" -- after Blatty had warned them of just that problem in arguing against using the word "Exorcist" in the title. But my initial wording conveyed the wrong impression.

[balthazar_bee]

Originally Posted by SymbioticFunction

Surprises me that someone thinks Exorcist is merely "okay" - it's a remarkable piece of cinema. Horror or otherwise.

Agreed. You know that old saying that the best movies are successful for all the wrong reasons? Well, if that was true in 1973, I'd say we're seeing some fallout from the "most shocking motion picture experience" reputation it has.

This is a movie that has a brilliant script, equally brilliant performances, and doesn't have an ounce of fat on it. Plus, it's got Mr. Grit himself, Billy Friedkin in his prime, behind the camera.

And, although it's not strictly an age thing, it seems like many younger people are distracted by the fact that they're not viscerally afraid from the opening scene. Their parents and older folks have been crowing about it for years, how it traumatized them, how they slept with the light on for weeks afterward (that's me!), and their reaction is, "This?"

Hey, I still think it's pretty damned scary (as much as that can be true for a movie), but these days I find myself more captivated by what a skillful piece of work it is -- how purposeful, how direct, how intelligent, and how authentic it is about the characters it contains.

It's funny, watching this again, I tried to catalog what would be excised () if it were made today. No Iraq, no Mama Karras, no lengthy and methodical conversations between Karras and Chris MacNeil, or Karras and Kinderman, or Kinderman and Chris...

What would be left? Peeing on the rug, crucifix in the crotch, swiveling head and a few added scenes of mischief? But why would we care?

[OI8T12]

Originally Posted by balthazar_bee

Agreed. You know that old saying that the best movies are successful for all the wrong reasons? Well, if that was true in 1973, I'd say we're seeing some fallout from the "most shocking motion picture experience" reputation it has.

This is a movie that has a brilliant script, equally brilliant performances, and doesn't have an ounce of fat on it. Plus, it's got Mr. Grit himself, Billy Friedkin in his prime, behind the camera.

And, although it's not strictly an age thing, it seems like many younger people are distracted by the fact that they're not viscerally afraid from the opening scene. Their parents and older folks have been crowing about it for years, how it traumatized them, how they slept with the light on for weeks afterward (that's me!), and their reaction is, "This?"

Hey, I still think it's pretty damned scary (as much as that can be true for a movie), but these days I find myself more captivated by what a skillful piece of work it is -- how purposeful, how direct, how intelligent, and how authentic it is about the characters it contains.

It's funny, watching this again, I tried to catalog what would be excised () if it were made today. No Iraq, no Mama Karras, no lengthy and methodical conversations between Karras and Chris MacNeil, or Karras and Kinderman, or Kinderman and Chris...

What would be left? Peeing on the rug, crucifix in the crotch, swiveling head and a few added scenes of mischief? But why would we care?

Excellent post. I couldn't said it better myself.

[crutzulee]

Originally Posted by OI8T12

Excellent post. I couldn't said it better myself.

Agreed... As my kids get older, I'm constantly thinking about the timing of when I will introduce them to the various milestones in cinema.. The exorcist provides a bit of a qyandry as I have not raised them with notions of good and evil, heaven and hell or god and the devil.. They could never get what I get out of this film..

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by crutzulee

Agreed... As my kids get older, I'm constantly thinking about the timing of when I will introduce them to the various milestones in cinema.. The exorcist provides a bit of a qyandry as I have not raised them with notions of good and evil, heaven and hell or god and the devil.. They could never get what I get out of this film..

my boys are 12 and 14 and this movie is still way too strong to show them imo. This movie scares me even to this day.... it's a true masterpiece and I feel it loses nothing today. Mood and atmosphere are always more effective to blatant blood and gore and having said that, The Exorcist still has truly shocking scenes... this is a true movie "experience"...

[hatter76]

here are a few comparisons between the DVD and Blu ray


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