The Exorcist: The Complete Anthology (1973-2005)

[stvn1974]

Originally Posted by lolwut

I don't understand how this is a complaint against a horror film that's part of a genre whose intent is to do just that.



I always find comments like this incredibly immature, like you're bragging that you weren't scared by the "scariest movie ever made". Like kids do, you know?

I also don't find Some Like It Hot to be funny and most critics consider it to be the funniest movie of all time. Does that make me even more immature?

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is scary, The Exorcist is not, for me anyway.

[happydood]

Originally Posted by balthazar_bee

Yeah, I've revisited the non-director's director's extended but not preferred version only a handful of times. The theatrical version is damn near perfect as far as I'm concerned, and while some of additions are interesting in and of themselves, none of them are necessary. And several actively hurt the film.

Right? I love the spiderwalk scene. As a deleted scene. It's great as a sort of alternate universe thing after you've watched the movie. But the ***************Spoiler**************************** ******


*****
******
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Insert shot of Georgetown ruins the careful pace of the opening and god help me, that Captain Howdy on the kitchen vent and Karas' mother in the window destroy their respective shots as well.

The only addition I like is Jason Miller and Max Von Sydow on the stairs. It's heavy-handed, but they're the two best things about the movie, so more of that is welcome.

[Dylan34]

Originally Posted by ditcin

Through the years I've seen THE EXORCIST 12 times in the theater. From its original release and most of the releases. The audience reaction differed with each. It was much later, from the 80s on that laughter was part of the audience experience - along with that was the pot smoking too.
I suppose that says it all.
However, I never encountered young children with their parents.
I remember seeing the original DAWN OF THE DEAD when it first came out in limited release due to it non-rating. I was shocked to see two very small children - about 5 in the theater with their parents and thinking, "what idiots". Thankfully the kids weren't paying attention and were just running around the theater.
This was just before the non-rating of the film forced it to play at midnight only. It was a shocking and disturbing experience for me that's for sure.

When I first saw THE EXORCIST if didn't bother me at all. I was 13, and it was a birthday gift from my bother who was 21. I had already read the book so I was prepared. My bother who had seen months previous in Nov. took me in June. He was deeply affected by it, but not scared.
To this day I have a friend who won't watch it at night in the dark; he's in his late 40s.
Yet when I've shown it to people of different ages, in my home are all have been affected and none had laughed.
From the those I've shown it to all have been shocked and some scared, even after the film was finished. One stated that it really mess with her mind.

I'm one of those people the film had a lasting impression on. Then again, I saw the film I feel at too young an age being 10. I slept in the living room with the TV on nothing but older comedy shows on nick at nite for like 2 weeks. Now, this was back in '88/'89 when possession films weren't a dime a dozen. That and the fact I was raised Catholic probably had something to do with it. Its a shame that The Exorcist doesn't have that power that it once had to really affect someone, to shake them to their core. Its a great film still 40 years later but, there's been so many other possession films that it's lost some of its luster unfortunately.

[happydood]

Originally Posted by stvn1974

I also don't find Some Like It Hot to be funny and most critics consider it to be the funniest movie of all time. Does that make me even more immature?

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is scary, The Exorcist is not, for me anyway.

Well I think Some Like It Hot is a great analogy, because the conceit is so dated that it just doesn't work the way it probably played on release. I like that movie because I like Billy Wilder and Jack Lemon, but I really have to come to it rather than it coming to me to appreciate it.

I don't think that I can separate my Catholic upbringing from The Exorcist enough to say if it can still play in a meaningful and relevant way for the 21st century. But it still reduces me to the little boy I was when I first saw it and plays on superstitions I think I've given up.

[balthazar_bee]

Originally Posted by happydood

The only addition I like is Jason Miller and Max Von Sydow on the stairs. It's heavy-handed, but they're the two best things about the movie, so more of that is welcome.

I totally agree with the other comments, but I still prefer the silence of the theatrical version over the conversation. Only because the silence seems to, not "say", but scream so much. They're just dog-tired (I typed "god-tired" the first time) and, really, what is there to say?

Plus, it gives the relationship between the two priests a harder edge. Merrin and Karras are attacking this problem from two very different positions, and several times it seems as though they're almost opposed to one another.

Karras wants to talk about the "background of the case" and the "different personalities Regan has manifested" -- in other words, "from the psychiatric end".

Merrin is a spiritual warrior, who believes this sort of stuff is immaterial to the situation, which requires a spiritual solution.

I don't see this tension as being resolved until Karras sees that

[Show spoiler] Merrin has died

, at which point he takes direct action.

The conversation, as well executed as it is, undermines the tension that exists between their two approaches. Karras's "Why this girl?" means he's deferring to Merrin already, and I don't think that's necessary the most satisfying move for the story at that point. I mean, if you look at Karras's face in the theatrical version, he's still looking pretty grim and resolved.

[happydood]

Baltazar, that's really well said and I agree. Again, I'm all about the theatrical cut. I like the scene on the stairs like I like the spider walk. It's cool to see, but isn't necessary at all.

[Bumblefeet]

Originally Posted by Dylan34

The Exorcist lll looks pretty good actually. The review gives it a 3 in PQ but I would say 3.5, even 3.75.

Just finished it and would have to agree, considering the minimal job on this set I would think it held up quite nicely, but so did the dvd at the time. The sound mix shows little surround qualities but the deep bass still gives me the chills.

Revisiting it for the umpteenth time, first off it's such a creative murder mystery as well, cleverly written with so many setups and payoffs as well as subtle hints as to what will occur. The characters and most of the dialogue is so rich in emotions and themes, I can see why some might find this a bit over the top, but I love it. Watching George C. Scott throw a tantrum over an incomplete medical file is bliss! People have noted a particular sequence for being one of the scariest in the movie and it surely provides a jump, but for me the one that comes later in the picture is even more unsettling.

BTW, while watching The Walking Dead, I had a feeling I had seen this guy before but could not quite place him. I can now (he's also in Ninth Configuration):

[balthazar_bee]

Originally Posted by Bumblefeet

Watching George C. Scott throw a tantrum over an incomplete medical file is bliss!

"It is not. In the file. It is NOT!!!"

[crutzulee]

Originally Posted by happydood

I don't think that I can separate my Catholic upbringing from The Exorcist enough to say if it can still play in a meaningful and relevant way for the 21st century. But it still reduces me to the little boy I was when I first saw it and plays on superstitions I think I've given up.

Your take on the Exorcist is exactly how I feel about it. My kids, not growing up Catholic (or christian for that matter) will never feel what I feel when I see this film.
At the same time the film continues to bring out latent fear in me from a belief system the shackles of which I thought I had long since shaken off..I guess you can take the boy out of catholicism but not the catachism out of the boy

[SymbioticFunction]

Originally Posted by stvn1974

I also don't find Some Like It Hot to be funny and most critics consider it to be the funniest movie of all time. Does that make me even more immature?

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is scary, The Exorcist is not, for me anyway.

Posting "I find the entire thing to be hilarious" is why people were calling you immature. It was a very provocative thing to post (especially in an Exorcist thread), and hardly surprising that fans find it difficult to believe that a mature person would genuinely feel that way. The film is a powerhouse with excellent performances and groundbreaking special effects. And what about the non-supernatural moments of the film? Children undergoing painful medical procedures or the death of a mother for example. Is that funny? Fair enough that you don't find the film "scary." But hilarious throughout? With moments such as the extraordinary Iraq opening or the final stairs-dive/last rites scene? It was nominated for 10 academy awards for good reason, quite extraordinary that those nominations could even happen to a horror film - show some respect, choose your words more wisely or better still, grow the hell up.

[crutzulee]

Originally Posted by Bumblefeet

Just finished it and would have to agree, considering the minimal job on this set I would think it held up quite nicely, but so did the dvd at the time. The sound mix shows little surround qualities but the deep bass still gives me the chills.

Revisiting it for the umpteenth time, first off it's such a creative murder mystery as well, cleverly written with so many setups and payoffs as well as subtle hints as to what will occur. The characters and most of the dialogue is so rich in emotions and themes, I can see why some might find this a bit over the top, but I love it. Watching George C. Scott throw a tantrum over an incomplete medical file is bliss! People have noted a particular sequence for being one of the scariest in the movie and it surely provides a jump, but for me the one that comes later in the picture is even more unsettling.

BTW, while watching The Walking Dead, I had a feeling I had seen this guy before but could not quite place him. I can now (he's also in Ninth Configuration):

Glad to hear that the transfer for Legion is an improvement over the DVD. For years, my Fall watching consisted of a screening of Parts I and III and visual improvements in these two make the set worth it 10 times over as an upgrade to their DVDs.

This year I watched the original (unlike everyone here, I actually prefer the version you've never seen) and then jumped into part II which I had not seen since broadcast TV in the early 80's. This viewing has convinced me that I need never see the second installment again. No matter how much future editions improve on the transfer (they obviously gave it no love for this edition), and no matter my desire to be a completist, the flaws of this film are too great to have me ever pay for it ever again.

For some reason I jumped to Dominion ( I felt the need to revisit Father Merrin and I had recalled that on past viewing, I had preferred Shrader's vision)..This time around I found the movie to be more disapointing than I remembered it.

Tonight, I will revisit Legion..

Also, I have somehow never seen The Ninth Configuration which I understand is coming to Bluray..I can't wait to discover this..

[SymbioticFunction]

Originally Posted by crutzulee

Also, I have somehow never seen The Ninth Configuration which I understand is coming to Bluray..I can't wait to discover this.

It's a great film. I am hoping that the US bd is region friendly.

[SymbioticFunction]

Originally Posted by Dylan34

The Exorcist lll looks pretty good actually. The review gives it a 3 in PQ but I would say 3.5, even 3.75.

Good. I have just ordered a stand-alone copy. I think it's easily the second best film of the franchise.

[crutzulee]

Originally Posted by SymbioticFunction

It's a great film. I am hoping that the US bd is region friendly.

I don't like to know too much about a film before going in for the first viewing. I understand that there is a tie in with the astronaut from the Exorcist so it exists in the same universe even if it is a very different type of movie.

While I usually chuckle at the obsession over box art found in these forums, I can't help but point out how butt ugly the cover art is for the Ninth Configuration, especially in light of how relatively cool the original theatrical poster looks..

[Dylan34]

Originally Posted by SymbioticFunction

Good. I have just ordered a stand-alone copy. I think it's easily the second best film of the franchise.

Easily the second best of the franchise and I believe you'll be pleasantly surprised by the PQ. enjoy your copy when you receive it!!

[SymbioticFunction]

Originally Posted by crutzulee

I don't like to know too much about a film before going in for the first viewing. I understand that there is a tie in with the astronaut from the Exorcist so it exists in the same universe even if it is a very different type of movie.

I won't give anything away but yeah, the astronaut is one of the main characters. The film is an interesting blend of humour and gothic, and (during one sequence) classic exploitation action. It's really unique, I think you'll like it a lot.

Originally Posted by Dylan34

Easily the second best of the franchise and I believe you'll be pleasantly surprised by the PQ. enjoy your copy when you receive it!!

Thanks. Will probably take a couple of weeks to get over to the UK but I am looking forward to it. The last 3 bds that I bought were all WB releases - Point Blank, The Haunting & Legion.

[Dylan34]

Originally Posted by SymbioticFunction

I won't give anything away but yeah, the astronaut is one of the main characters. The film is an interesting blend of humour and gothic, and (during one sequence) classic exploitation action. It's really unique, I think you'll like it a lot.



Thanks. Will probably take a couple of weeks to get over to the UK but I am looking forward to it. The last 3 bds that I bought were all by WB - Point Blank, The Haunting & Legion. Classics.

If you haven't seen the Haunting yet on blu you're in for a treat there as well. Simply fantastic is all I can say.

[SymbioticFunction]

Originally Posted by Dylan34

If you haven't seen the Haunting yet on blu you're in for a treat there as well. Simply fantastic is all I can say.

Haunting is still yet to arrive. Screenshots looked really good, will be great to see it in HD.

[SymbioticFunction]

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=2188

[happydood]

Originally Posted by SymbioticFunction

It's a great film. I am hoping that the US bd is region friendly.

It's a philosophical exercise with a sense of humor and clearly comes from the same man who directed and wrote Exorcist III and is definitely worth seeing. There is a sequence the end hinges on that I will say nothing about that I don't think plays as well as it wants to, but I'm curious what everyone else thinks about it.