The Exorcist: The Complete Anthology (1973-2005)

[TwelveVacancies]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

It's the two images that appear when Chris returns home and the lights are flickering on and off: Pazuzu's face in the kitchen and the statue on the back of Regan's bedroom door.

Unfortunately the face in the kitchen is still there. It's the Pazuzu appearances on Regan's door and then next to it on the wall that have been removed, however the sound effect is still there as Chris opens the door.

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by TwelveVacancies

Unfortunately the face in the kitchen is still there. It's the Pazuzu appearances on Regan's door and then next to it on the wall that have been removed, however the sound effect is still there as Chris opens the door.

Oh, is it? I'll take your word for it. It's been a while since I've watched either variation of the 'Director's Cut'.

EDIT: Yep, I'd totally forgotten about the statue to the side of the doorway which appears when Chris is rushing about the house.

In regards to the spiderwalk scene, I much prefer the original version (in which Regan crawls along with her tongue flicking out) as opposed to the one which ended up in the Director's Cut. Creepier, more subtle and devoid of that pointless shot of her bloody mouth.

[Robbie The Robot]

Agree about the original footage. The tongue flicking especially.

[Dylan34]

The tongue flick spiderwalk chasing Sharon is what should have been used. Much scarier/creepier than the bloody mouth.

[TwelveVacancies]

Agreed about the original spiderwalk. Much better than the bloody version.

According to Marcel Vercoutere (pretty sure it was him - or possibly Dick Smith), a 3rd version was shot where she actually bites Sharron's ankle.

[#Darren]

What's the deal here? Does the spiderwalk differ in different releases of TVYNS?

[Dylan34]

Originally Posted by #Darren

What's the deal here? Does the spiderwalk differ in different releases of TVYNS?

No, but there were 2 different versions filmed. The bloody mouth is what was used. The other had Reagan spiderwalk down the stairs, flip over, and crawl around chasing Sharon flicking her long serpent like tongue. You can see it On the extras of The Exorcist disc. The extended cut edition i believe.

[TwelveVacancies]

Originally Posted by #Darren

What's the deal here? Does the spiderwalk differ in different releases of TVYNS?

Blatty wrote the scene differently in the book, which they shot, but it never made past the workprint because the wires on the stunt woman were too obvious.

Mark Kermode had a got at putting the the original version back together in the Fear of God documentary on the 25th anniversary release:

The Exorcist | Original Spiderwalk - YouTube

Plus there's more outtakes on the Blu-ray documentary.

[Blu MacReady]

What the overall verdict on this set. I was going to upgrade my DVD anthology, but pulled the order last minute as no reviews were around.

Anyone watched the complete set yet, give ratings on the AQ/PQ, extras etc. everyone happy, no audio issues or ratio issues etc.

Anything missing from the DVD set?

Have scanned through the thread but not in depth, so I'm sorry if this has been answered.

[Dylan34]

Originally Posted by Blu MacReady

What the overall verdict on this set. I was going to upgrade my DVD anthology, but pulled the order last minute as no reviews were around.

Anyone watched the complete set yet, give ratings on the AQ/PQ, extras etc. everyone happy, no audio issues or ratio issues etc.

Anything missing from the DVD set?

Have scanned through the thread but not in depth, so I'm sorry if this has been answered.

The PQ is pretty good IMO EXCEPT for 2.

The Exorcist 4.5
Exorcist ll. 2.5-2.75
The Exorcist lll 3.5 - 3.75
Beginning. 4.0
Dominion. 3.75 - 4.0

Those are my PQ SCORES.

[Blu MacReady]

Originally Posted by Dylan34

The PQ is pretty good IMO EXCEPT for 2.

The Exorcist 4.5
Exorcist ll. 2.5-2.75
The Exorcist lll 3.5 - 3.75
Beginning. 4.0
Dominion. 3.75 - 4.0

Those are my PQ SCORES.

Oh ok thanks. Like the look of those. Ok II isn't great, but then I don't think it's a great film and if there had to be a weak one, I'm glad it's that.
Shame III isn't higher, but still sounds better then my DVD.

What about extras. Any reason to customise and add discs from DVD set or standalone issues? I'm thinking a. Want definitive best, so no more upgrading and b. Shelf space

[Xen11]

So The Exorcist is missing its original mono track, is that correct?

Why can't studios release the damn mono tracks for the films?

[KrugStillo]

Originally Posted by Xen11

So The Exorcist is missing its original mono track, is that correct?

Why can't studios release the damn mono tracks for the films?

I have a theory about this. Through the years minor alterations due to aging elements and just newer transfers may in the end effect the ability to properly sync the original mono tracks. Since most major companies are lazy about performing any new work on a soundtrack they just leave it off. Technically it would have to be resynced so that it would match properly. Just a theory but a valid one.

[Dylan34]

Originally Posted by Blu MacReady

Oh ok thanks. Like the look of those. Ok II isn't great, but then I don't think it's a great film and if there had to be a weak one, I'm glad it's that.
Shame III isn't higher, but still sounds better then my DVD.

What about extras. Any reason to customise and add discs from DVD set or standalone issues? I'm thinking a. Want definitive best, so no more upgrading and b. Shelf space

No extras on the sequels except the trailers. The Exorcist is the exact same 2 discs released with the 2010 digibook and last year's 40th anniversary. When you see the Exorcist lll in motion, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[Xen11]

So there were 2 main cuts of The Exorcist II: The Heretic, correct?

The first original theatrical release
The immediately retooled theatrical release (after the premiere had riots) that had about 7 minutes taken out

Further edits that were usually shorter came out on VHS, cable, and in the UK.

Am I correct on this?

And the one on Blu is the first original theatrical release?

[Nicolawicz]

Originally Posted by Dylan34

The PQ is pretty good IMO EXCEPT for 2.

I've only seen the screenshots, but 2 looks a million times better than Dominion.

[Dylan34]

Originally Posted by Nicolawicz

I've only seen the screenshots, but 2 looks a million times better than Dominion.

Sorry but false. The Exorcist 2 does not look better than Dominion!!

[Bumblefeet]

Originally Posted by Nicolawicz

I've only seen the screenshots, but 2 looks a million times better than Dominion.

I've seen both projected in HD and Dominion easily beats Heretic in transfer quality; Heretic looks overly soft, dark and colors look bland. Heretic for me is easily the worst (looking) movie out of the bunch with its marginally better than dvd quality.

[EvilResident]

I think Dominion looks pretty bad. I'd maybe say it and Heretic tie for worst, but for different reasons. Dominion looks over processed and the Edge Enhancement is just ugly. Heretic has basically the opposite problem.

[Nicolawicz]

Yeah, Dominion is an over-processed mess. The Heretic looks like an actual film.