The Exorcist: The Complete Anthology (1973-2005)

[The Peanut Monkey]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

I didn't have any problem understanding The Exorcist or Alien. I'm lucky in that my parents didn't treat me like a baby and let me see the world and think for myself. Don't treat children like they're stupid and incapable of understanding and they might just surprise you.

Thank you for the condescending, juvenile, and judgmental attitude though. I'm sure that works out well for you.

The films mentioned were not designed for the age range you were and Sarah's niece currently is, both in terms of graphical on-screen imagery and in terms on tone, themes, etc. That you're not now some kind of axe-wielding homicidal maniac is irrelevant.

[#Darren]

So is Dominion "opened up" from the previously mentioned 2:1 aspect ratio, or cropped from it?

And what is the consensus on it's intended OAR?

[EvilResident]

Originally Posted by Xen11

Can anybody sum up what problems people have with this set? I asked this question before and got no response.

I give a look around the boards, but all I see is talk of shipping it from Canada or the U.S. and not getting their packages in time for the full moon or something that involves a deadline.

Well, I guess we know one problem is that 3 year olds can defy people's expectations and watch The Exorcist without their heads exploding.

I never said their heads would explode, but kids need boundaries. If my hypothetical 3 year-old wants to watch The Exorcist, I am saying "maybe when you're older." And that isn't insane.

The box set seems fine to me, even exceptional, except for some overly enthusiastic EE in Dominion. Also, I'm not a huge fan of the packaging. I don't like the disc hubs: they're the kind that the discs fall off of too easily.

[Xen11]

Originally Posted by EvilResident

I never said their heads would explode, but kids need boundaries. If my hypothetical 3 year-old wants to watch The Exorcist, I am saying "maybe when you're older." And that isn't insane.

I would say the same.
But its mostly because they'd be bored out of their mind watching it as its mostly just adults talking. I don't think they'd enjoy it, EXCEPT for those interesting parts where this girl has superpowers and can float and defy her ignorant mother (that doesn't realize she's being molested.) But besides the demonic possession, I don't think this film would interest many 3 year olds. And it will likely scare the shit out of them.

So what scenario would I say OK to a 3 year old watching The Exorcist WITH ME? Depends on the person (the kid). I'd just explain before watching it, basically, "Understand that this movie is not real. I know you know that, but just a warning that this was made with a camera by people, just like those Youtube videos you've been watching since 2 years ago. Look this is probably going to scare you so bad that you won't ever sleep again and your hair will probably get white at the age of 3 due to fear. Do you dare proceed, young highlander?" If they proceed, I'll give them a pillow so they can fall asleep or cover their eyes if they get scared. Maybe teach them a signal to give me if they want to stop the film or need to use the bathroom, cause "there will be no talking during the movie. You can give me the nonverbal signal to stop the movie, then you can ask a question. But no talking. That's rule #1 when watching movies. Comprende, little amigo?"

So that's how that would probably go.

But it would most likely never happen for many other reasons.

The box set seems fine to me, even exceptional, except for some overly enthusiastic EE in Dominion. Also, I'm not a huge fan of the packaging. I don't like the disc hubs: they're the kind that the discs fall off of too easily.

[EvilResident]

Originally Posted by Xen11

I would say the same.
But its mostly because they'd be bored out of their mind watching it as its mostly just adults talking. I don't think they'd enjoy it, EXCEPT for those interesting parts where this girl has superpowers and can float and defy her ignorant mother (that doesn't realize she's being molested.) But besides the demonic possession, I don't think this film would interest many 3 year olds. And it will likely scare the shit out of them.

So what scenario would I say OK to a 3 year old watching The Exorcist WITH ME? Depends on the person (the kid). I'd just explain before watching it, basically, "Understand that this movie is not real. I know you know that, but just a warning that this was made with a camera by people, just like those Youtube videos you've been watching since 2 years ago. Look this is probably going to scare you so bad that you won't ever sleep again and your hair will probably get white at the age of 3 due to fear. Do you dare proceed, young highlander?" If they proceed, I'll give them a pillow so they can fall asleep or cover their eyes if they get scared. Maybe teach them a signal to give me if they want to stop the film or need to use the bathroom, cause "there will be no talking during the movie. You can give me the nonverbal signal to stop the movie, then you can ask a question. But no talking. That's rule #1 when watching movies. Comprende, little amigo?"

So that's how that would probably go.

But it would most likely never happen for many other reasons.

Lol, in my nine years working with kids ages 6mo-12 years, I've never met a one-year-old that watches YouTube videos, nor a three-year-old who can have the kinds of conversations you're talking about. You must hang out with some genuinely genius-level babies.

ANYWAY. I really wish WB would come out with a director's cut of E3, or at least a special edition.

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by TwelveVacancies

Blatty has refuted all these wild theories himself, so...

Plus it's one thing to suggest that Burke was abusing Regan, but what Xen11 posted was just over the top revolting at times. It's also very misinformed and rather bias due to what appears to be a very strong hatred towards religion (which is somewhat understandable but still, his post was too much).

The great thing about art is that you can interpret it in so many different ways. I see it as insightful and intriguing.

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by The Fallen Deity

If I ever have kids I wouldn't let them watch horror movies until they were at least in their early teens.

These movies aren't for kids.

There is a reason why a lot of them are rated R (18 in the U.K.).

It would be the same with video games.

I wouldn't let my kids play games like Dead Space or Resident Evil until they were a certain age as well.

That's not sheltering, it's common sense.

Ever read fairy tales, especially Grimm's? Yeah...

It's important, even at a young age, to be scared. That's a vital part of the human experience and to deny that, even to a young child, is not healthy. Zombies aren't real. Possession isn't real. Jason, Freddy, Michael Myers, and Pinhead aren't real. Kids are smarter than adults give them credit for. And how do you know if a particular child isn't ready for it if you don't explain to them that it's just a story and let them come to their own conclusions.

[TwelveVacancies]

Originally Posted by Xen11

It's like that other part where I must have erroneously thought Regan was masturbating with a crucifix while forcing her mother to lick her bloody ****.

Difference is she was actually doing that and Blatty had a point writing the scene, whereas there is absolutely nothing sexual about discussion between Regan and Chris about horses. You've somehow turned something very innocent into something quite sinister and perverted. And seeing d*cks everywhere.

I think any great director/writer/actor (artist) will leave their work open for interpretation and not give a definitive "oh this is what it definitely is".
You mentioned Blatty. Guess what? He's just the writer. There was a director, a producer, numerous actors, set designers, art directors, cinematographers, costume designers, etc. All these artists have their own view on the material they are collaborating to build. Yes, they have a direction, but direction can be, and usually is, vague and open. Actors must take their characters and the world combined with the information given to them and create. Same goes for all positions in that movie-making process.

And the most important part of a film is the view(er). It's unique to everyone. I would just hope that everyone that has an actual view on a film can personally digest it and feel something instead of, "Oh, the director says its like this, so that's it."

You're right to a certain extent, but at the end of the day if Blatty says that Burke was not abusing Regan then you can't argue with that. It's his story - his characters. And it's also possible for someone to completely miss the point of a film, and I think you have.

[SymbioticFunction]

Call me old-fashioned but I don't think children should be exposed to horror films (or violent action films) until they're at least 10 or 11 years old. Doesn't seem healthy to me. Couldn't imagine screening the likes of Exorcist 1 or Friday the 13th to a young child, think they should be watching 'family' films instead.

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by sarah_wentworth

i watched it with my 3 year old niece and she loved it. she didn't understand it but she couldn't take her eyes off the screen. she loves the Halloween, Child's Play, NOES, f13 movies to. oh and Leprechaun.

You let your 3 year old niece, watch horror movies with you? Some parental guidance that this! Whether if she like the movies or not, don't you think it was inappropriate? 3 years is entirely too young for anybody to be watching horror films, or any R rated movies with adult content!

[Kryptonic]

Watch out, here comes the PTA.

[TwelveVacancies]

Originally Posted by SymbioticFunction

Call me old-fashioned but I don't think children should be exposed to horror films (or violent action films) until they're at least 10 or 11 years old. Doesn't seem healthy to me. Couldn't imagine screening the likes of Exorcist 1 or Friday the 13th to a young child, think they should be watching 'family' films instead.

I guess it all depends on the child. I used to watch a lot of horror when was I was little (an interest sparked by Michael Jackson's Thriller music video) and first saw The Exorcist at 9 years old. I could handle it and my mum knew that (she still supervised the viewing, however). On the other hand, if my best friend at that time had seen it I think he'd have been scarred for life, which is why he was never allowed to watch that sort of stuff with me. 3 is definitely too young but if you know your kid well enough and think they can handle it, I don't see it a huge problem.

The only lasting effect all these films had on me was the dream to make my own.

[Hek_qwerr]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

I was watching movies like Exorcist, Shining, Alien, etc. when I was 4-6 years old. I don't see what the problem is as long as the child clearly understands what they're seeing isn't real and that it's only a movie. I never had any bad dreams or was scared. In reality, I remember finding The Exorcist in particular quite fascinating as a young child and not because of the gore or shock. It's pretty healthy, really.

Also, they're getting a taste for really good cinema at an early age too.

same here to behonest my two earliest memories of going to the movies were bram stokers dracula (4 yrs old)and the fugitive,my mom was an advid horror fan aswell,we would rent about 4-5 horror movies every weekend and just eat pizza or chinese...loved those memories,shes the reason why im such a movie buff

edit:and by the way even if your parents dont let you watch those films there are always ways around it.when i was 5-6 years old i was introduced to chucky by one of my bestfriends via vhs and a couple of months later by freddy from a girl who also just lent me nightmare 3 not knowing what they were really made them that creepy when watching them

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by TwelveVacancies

I guess it all depends on the child. I used to watch a lot of horror when was I was little (an interest sparked by Michael Jackson's Thriller music video) and first saw The Exorcist at 9 years old. I could handle it and my mum knew that (she still supervised the viewing, however). On the other hand, if my best friend at that time had seen it I think he'd have been scarred for life, which is why he was never allowed to watch that sort of stuff with me. 3 is definitely too young but if you know your kid well enough and think they can handle it, I don't see it a huge problem.

The only lasting effect all these films had on me was the dream to make my own.

Would you allow a 3 year old, to watch XXX-rated movies because "you know your child well enough, and think they can handle it"?

[KrugStillo]

I must say, despite the production issues surrounding it, Exorcist 3 is a solid and terrifying film. It really creeped me out. To add more creepiness to it while I was watching the end and film was getting louder and crazier I heard some noises that sounded like fireworks ad I wasn't sure if it was in the movie. Then I hear cop cars and apparently someone possibly shot someone else up the street from my apartment. The whole street was full of cop cars and the like. I still don't know what happened because there is no news about it but it did add a rather creepy tone to the night. Strange.

[OI8T12]

Maybe it's just me, but to let a 3 year old watch The Exorcist, or any other horror movie is border line child abuse. I guess I'm old fashioned, or maybe I'm just old.

[KrugStillo]

Originally Posted by OI8T12

Maybe it's just me, but to let a 3 year old watch The Exorcist, or any other horror movie is border line child abuse. I guess I'm old fashioned, or maybe I'm just old.

Not sure I'd go that far. It really depends on the kid. Some kids can handle stuff and some can't.

[TwelveVacancies]

Originally Posted by slimdude

Would you allow a 3 year old, to watch XXX-rated movies because you think the child can handle it?

Whether they could handle it or not, I don't know why anyone would want to watch a porno with an underage child in the first place.

As I said, I think 3 is too young for something like The Exorcist, and even if they weren't scared (and let's be real, most 3 year olds are frightened of even family-friendly movies), it's pointless because they simply wouldn't understand what is going on.

7/8 years old, maybe, but again I think it'd all be lost on them so there's not much point. Even when I saw it at 9 I didn't quite understand everything. I don't see a problem with watching horror films at that age tho.

[PowellPressburger]

I'm not a parent at all but I was watching Poltergiest at the age of 5 and Elm street 1 by the age of 8 and Exorcist I saw between 10-12 years old but I was getting into those horror films. The music at the start of Night of the Living Dead when I was 8 used to scare me to death lol

I just don't see a child needing to watch Exorcist at all maybe 10 at the youngest if the parent thinks they can handle it. Most find the film slow paced by todays standards but honestly a parent letting their kid watch a movie like this at age of 3 is a bad parent plain and simple and maybe needs welfare services to stop by. It isn't just the scare elements of the film but the profanity isn't something I want a toddler to pick up on.

I'm liberal but there needs to be a line drawn. I think it is fun to show kids certain scary movies so they have stories to tell when they are older like that movie used to scare the crap out of me but the movie and age has to be within reason.

[Schfooge]

Originally Posted by KrugStillo

Not sure I'd go that far. It really depends on the kid. Some kids can handle stuff and some can't.

That's true, but 3 is definitely too young. However, when they get to be around 8 to 10, some kids might be better at handling horror movies than some teenagers (or some adults for that matter).