The Exorcist: The Complete Anthology (1973-2005)

[OI8T12]

Originally Posted by EvilResident

[Show spoiler]

I genuinely question if you've ever actually met a 3 year-old. The kind of reasoning you're talking about is not physically possible in someone who is 3. There is a HUGE difference in brain capacity and reasoning ability through adolescence. It's why we don't let toddlers vote. What you're suggesting is something like saying a small child should be able to bench 200 lbs. It's not how their bodies work. I also claim bs on your claims of rolling your eyes at condescension at that age. If it's true, your amazing physically impossible brain should be studied in a lab somewhere.

Also, I find it fascinating that your belief in pop culture is held at such a fervor, yet your disdain of religion is so great. It's almost like PoP culture IS your religion. I have the same issues foisting graphic movies on kids that I do with religion. They're too young to make those decisions themselves, and it's why we have adults in the world to be responsible for them. If a small child didn't need adult guidance, we wouldn't need parents.

I'm still waiting to see if he has any kids. I don't think he does. To honest, I hope he never does. Sorry, Xen11.

[ditcin]

Originally Posted by SymbioticFunction

One of the things I especially like about Exorcist 3 is seeing Jason Miller again as patient x. And that's one of the changes demanded by the studio. So I don't know if I would actually prefer the original cut (if it's ever released). Having said that, the tacked on exorcism is a bit hokey and feels out of place.

Edit: It's also a bit odd that Exorcist 3 discusses the close friendship of Karras & Kinderman when that bond was never portrayed in the cinematic version of The Exorcist.

Thank you for bringing that odd bond up - I did further back stating Blatty made this film based on his book and sequel to it, not so much the first film. It's an odd jump from novel to film that plainly displays an author turned filmmaker who needs to be nudged about the transition from the written word to the visual - not mention the ability to edit one's creation to fit the medium. Sometimes having the input of a director is enough. THE EXORCIST is an excellent representation of the written work but different. Cutting out certain parts while condensing others allows a flow for the medium. Less is more works for film something today's filmmakers selfishly don't understand. The team of Blatty and Friedkin worked and balanced it all out.

[GasmaskAvenger]

When I was 4/5, I didn't understand the satirical elements of Robocop 2 (Didn't really see the first one properly until I was a little older but I did see a TV edit before then), I just liked Murphy, thought RoboCain was a cool villain, hated the little boy and was scared by the death of the corrupt cop and the shot of Cain's exposed brains in the tube of water. Same goes for Aliens, Alien 3 and both Predator movies. Just thought Arnie and the monsters from their respective movies were cool.

Didn't see any slasher films except maybe Freddy's Dead until I was 10 though and I think I didn't dare to watch The Exorcist until I was at least 12 or 13.

[Kryptonic]

Even when I saw The Exorcist when I was like 6, I thought it was pretty hokey. Riveting, but hokey. I couldn't take it seriously because the "shock" moments were so over the top.

[Mystic]

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.

Possessing common sense must be a characteristic in terms of being old fashioned, or we're just both old.

Nevertheless, I think it's appalling to let a young child watch films that are clearly intended for a mature adult audience. I grew up watching the old Creature Features and Hammer films on the boob tube. I remember when the Exorcist was first broadcast "uncut" on Network Television in the late 1970s, I was probably 12 - 13 years old at the time, and the movie was such an intense experience that it left me shaken for a couple of days afterward. How someone could suggest that a young child could handle such a movie is ridiculous in the extreme.

[dallywhitty]

I must've been about eight or nine when I saw The Exorcist for the first time. My sister and I were both fascinated by the hype surrounding it. I'd grown up with my brother telling me about it and how controversial it'd been and there was a double-page image of Regan's face in one of my dad's magazines that scared the hell out of me. Anyway, my sister and I finally decided to put the VHS on while my parents were out. It didn't scare me at the time (bear in mind it was during the day, I was watching it with my sister and we were both curled up in sleeping bags, so it wasn't ideal viewing conditions for a horror film), but I did really like it. I watched it again not long after when it was on TV. Not only did I find it frightening but it became one of my favourite films. I wouldn't consider it one of my favourites nowadays - I've since seen so many horrors that I prefer - but it's still a brilliant film and I guess I have a particular fondness for it because it was one of my favourites at that age.

As for showing The Exorcist to a three-year-old: I doubt I'd do it myself, but I do think the uproar in this thread is over-the-top, especially equating it to child abuse. Just no.

[#Darren]

Originally Posted by BNex99

Judging from the screenshots, it's been cropped.

I believe "The Beginning" was shot 2:1 also, but it's always been presented 2.40:1, both in theaters and on DVD.

Thanks for clarifying

[SymbioticFunction]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

Even when I saw The Exorcist when I was like 6, I thought it was pretty hokey.

This is why we don't let 6 year old children publish movie reviews.

[#Darren]

A few people saying they or their children were able to "understand" this film as children.... that's ludicrous. They may have understood SOME elements, but the deeper adult themes... NO.

Merrin's JOURNEY, Karras journey, the mothers torment as a helpless parent, Reagan's psychological issues, the spiritual theme/elements, etc...

Heck even adults don't understand all the elements of this film.

[BNex99]

Originally Posted by #Darren

Thanks for clarifying

That is, of course, to the best of my understanding

I'm surprised there hasn't been more of a thing made of it; normally an incorrect aspect ratio would generate quite a bit of discussion.

[Dylan34]

Originally Posted by BNex99

That is, of course, to the best of my understanding

I'm surprised there hasn't been more of a thing made of it; normally an incorrect aspect ratio would generate quite a bit of discussion.

It's definitely cropped to 2.40:1. Was shown in theaters like that as well.

[BNex99]

Originally Posted by Dylan34

It's definitely cropped to 2.40:1. Was shown in theaters like that as well.

"The Beginning," yes, but the Blu-ray of "Dominion" is apparently cropped to 1.78:1.

[TwelveVacancies]

I just checked the tracking for my copy and it says "Your package is delayed because of carrier issues".

[EvilResident]

Originally Posted by BNex99

That is, of course, to the best of my understanding

I'm surprised there hasn't been more of a thing made of it; normally an incorrect aspect ratio would generate quite a bit of discussion.

It's not really incorrect, as it was filmed to be able to be cropped.

[#Darren]

So to recap...

The Beginning cropped from 2:1 to 2.4:1
Dominion cropped from 2:1 to 1.78:1

and both were released on DVD with the same framing/ratios, however Dominion was released on DVD at 2.35:1 in some other territories.

[Dylan34]

Originally Posted by #Darren

So to recap...

The Beginning cropped from 2:1 to 2.4:1
Dominion cropped from 2:1 to 1.78:1

and both were released on DVD with the same framing/ratios, however Dominion was released on DVD at 2.35:1 in some other territories.

I think Dominion was released in 2.10 some territories.........I think?

[Bumblefeet]

Originally Posted by #Darren

and both were released on DVD with the same framing/ratios, however Dominion was released on DVD at 2.35:1 in some other territories.

The Dutch filmworks two disc DVD edition with more extras contains 2.00:1 ratio, another release I have (German) contains 2.40:1 aspect. I was surprised as well at the 1.78:1 ratio for the blu-ray.

[#Darren]

Originally Posted by Bumblefeet

The Dutch filmworks two disc DVD edition with more extras contains 2.00:1 ratio

Can you tell me what the additional extras were?

[Bumblefeet]

Originally Posted by #Darren

Can you tell me what the additional extras were?

Liner Notes
Trailer & TV Spot
Photo Gallery (10)
Brussels International Festival of Fantastic Film (52' 08")
Interviews Cast & Crew (3' 40")
Behind the Scenes (3' 56")

The Brussels International Festival of Fantastic Film segment is where they premiered Dominion and held a press conference with Paul Schrader and most of the cast/crew in attendance (Skarsgard send a video message before the film started). It is amateur shot footage but still gives a pretty good overview of that night.

[#Darren]

corrected

Originally Posted by #Darren

So to recap...

The Beginning cropped from 2:1 to 2.4:1
Dominion cropped from 2:1 to 1.78:1

however Dominion was released on DVD at 2:10 in most territories.

Next question.. how were they released THEATRICALLY...

I think The Beginning was 2.4:1 theatrically?