The Exorcist: The Complete Anthology (1973-2005)

[Ray Jackson]

Watched part 3 last night for the second time.

The scene in the confessional booth is one of the scariest scenes I've ever seen in a movie.

...I was genuinely terrified watching it.

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Watched part 3 last night for the second time.

The scene in the confessional booth is one of the scariest scenes I've ever seen in a movie.

...I was genuinely terrified watching it.

you know, despite having it's fans, EXORCIST 3 is a very underappreciated movie. It's scary... in several scenes!

It's not what you expect for an Exorcist follow-up which is presumably why it flopped... but it's ultimately far and away the best sequel...

[HeavyHitter]

I watched III last night and it's a very good movie, IMO. I think the overall PQ is quite solid too. I'm curious if they release the Director's Cut at some point as it's been teased.

[donthitpause]

For those who are interested, Dr Sapirstein has re-uped Exorcist II: The Heretic with applicable fixes.

From the site -

INCLUDED ON THIS BLU-RAY

* ORIGINAL DIRECTOR'S CUT [HD 1080p]
- Runtime : 01:58:46
- Video : AVC1 | 1920x1080 | 1.78:1 original A.R. | 23.97fps | 28.000 kb/s.
- Audio 1 : English | remastered mono mix 2014 | LPCM 1.0 | 768 kb/s.
- Audio 2 : English | new DTS 5.1 mix 2014 | LPCM 5.1 | 1.536 mb/s
- Subtitles : English, French.

This full-length, original director's cut was only shown in theaters for a couple of days when the film premiered, before being recut due to negative audience reaction. It was never released on VHS, LD or DVD or Blu-ray.

* THEATRICAL CUT [HD 1080p]
- Runtime : 01:43:05
- Video : AVC1 | 1920x1080 | 1.85:1 original A.R. | 23.97fps | 28.000 kb/s.
- Audio : English | original mono mix 1977 | LPCM 1.0 | 768 kb/s.

This version runs 15 minutes shorter than the original director's cut.
It was recut by John Boorman himself the day after the premiere of the film, and was released in theaters worldwide, then on VHS. This was the only version of The Heretic available for more than 15 years. It then completely vanished when the film was released in a different cut, first on the VHS re-edition in 1993, then on DVD in 2002. Although this rare theatrical cut misses many scenes, it also features some additional footage exclusive to this version. Some scenes are ordered differently. It includes an added flashback scene, stock footage of Regan as the demon, extra gore, and a different ending. Some of the music and sound effects are also noticably different.

* BONUS FEATURES [SD & HD 1080p]
- Runtime : 01:48:56
- Video : AVC1 | 1920x1080 & 720x480 | 1.85:1 & 1.33:1 original A.R. | 23.97fps | 28.000 kb/s.
- Audio : English | LPCM 1.0 and 2.0| 768 kb/s & 1.536 mb/s.

Never before seen interview with Linda Blair on the set of The Heretic [1976].
A revealing 25min. interview with John Boorman on Le Divan [1991].
The original video press kit [1977].
Eli Roth talks about 'The Heretic' on 'Trailers From Hell' [2014].
Linda Blair discusses 'The Heretic' on 'Intimate Portrait' [2001].
William Friedkin shares his views on 'The Heretic' [2013].
Linda Blair webcast : 'The Heretic' and the 'Exorcist' saga [2013].
Original Teaser 1976.
Original Trailer 1977.
Audio commentary by Movie-Bonfire.
Photo gallery inc. more than 250 rare promo shots.
Trailers of the other films of the Exorcist saga.
Notes and comparison about different cuts of 'The Heretic'.
Written essay about the film's production [2012].
Music video "Linda Blair" by Tanya Markova [SD].
Animated menus, Easter egg and BD-rom extras.

* BD-ROM EXTRAS [multimedia]
- Media folder size : 716mb
- Audio files : LPCM WAV [24bit 96kHz]
- PDF files and URL files also included.

The complete motion picture OST by Ennio Morricone [audio]
The City Of Prague Philharmonic performs "Regan's Theme" in 1996 [audio]
Cinema Misfits reviews "The Heretic" [audio]
New 2014 HQ poster [pdf]
New printable Bluray covers [pdf]

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

you know, despite having it's fans, EXORCIST 3 is a very underappreciated movie. It's scary... in several scenes!

It's not what you expect for an Exorcist follow-up which is presumably why it flopped... but it's ultimately far and away the best sequel...

Yea I liked it better the Exorcist 2. Hopefully we can get the Legion cut on BD someday

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by darkness2918

Yea I liked it better the Exorcist 2. Hopefully we can get the Legion cut on BD someday

With the Morgan Creek License up for Grabs I'd wager that we could very well have "Legion" by the end of the year.

[GasmaskAvenger]

Even though I already had the beautiful digibook copy of the first film and is planning to pre-order the director's cut of "Exorcist III: Legion" once that bad boy is legitimately announced, I ended up picking up a used copy of the Complete Anthology for $16.22 at my local FYE (a regular $24.99 plus a 40% off coupon for used blu-rays, DVDs and CDs).

Not too shabby for a rather slapdash effort on Warner Bros. part (especially with how expensive standalone copies of Exorcist III currently are).

[Zillamon51]

Any idea why this item is "under review" at Amazon?

[lildemon666]

Originally Posted by donthitpause

For those who are interested, Dr Sapirstein has re-uped Exorcist II: The Heretic with applicable fixes.

From the site -

INCLUDED ON THIS BLU-RAY

* ORIGINAL DIRECTOR'S CUT [HD 1080p]
- Runtime : 01:58:46
- Video : AVC1 | 1920x1080 | 1.78:1 original A.R. | 23.97fps | 28.000 kb/s.
- Audio 1 : English | remastered mono mix 2014 | LPCM 1.0 | 768 kb/s.
- Audio 2 : English | new DTS 5.1 mix 2014 | LPCM 5.1 | 1.536 mb/s
- Subtitles : English, French.

This full-length, original director's cut was only shown in theaters for a couple of days when the film premiered, before being recut due to negative audience reaction. It was never released on VHS, LD or DVD or Blu-ray.

* THEATRICAL CUT [HD 1080p]
- Runtime : 01:43:05
- Video : AVC1 | 1920x1080 | 1.85:1 original A.R. | 23.97fps | 28.000 kb/s.
- Audio : English | original mono mix 1977 | LPCM 1.0 | 768 kb/s.

This version runs 15 minutes shorter than the original director's cut.
It was recut by John Boorman himself the day after the premiere of the film, and was released in theaters worldwide, then on VHS. This was the only version of The Heretic available for more than 15 years. It then completely vanished when the film was released in a different cut, first on the VHS re-edition in 1993, then on DVD in 2002. Although this rare theatrical cut misses many scenes, it also features some additional footage exclusive to this version. Some scenes are ordered differently. It includes an added flashback scene, stock footage of Regan as the demon, extra gore, and a different ending. Some of the music and sound effects are also noticably different.

* BONUS FEATURES [SD & HD 1080p]
- Runtime : 01:48:56
- Video : AVC1 | 1920x1080 & 720x480 | 1.85:1 & 1.33:1 original A.R. | 23.97fps | 28.000 kb/s.
- Audio : English | LPCM 1.0 and 2.0| 768 kb/s & 1.536 mb/s.

Never before seen interview with Linda Blair on the set of The Heretic [1976].
A revealing 25min. interview with John Boorman on Le Divan [1991].
The original video press kit [1977].
Eli Roth talks about 'The Heretic' on 'Trailers From Hell' [2014].
Linda Blair discusses 'The Heretic' on 'Intimate Portrait' [2001].
William Friedkin shares his views on 'The Heretic' [2013].
Linda Blair webcast : 'The Heretic' and the 'Exorcist' saga [2013].
Original Teaser 1976.
Original Trailer 1977.
Audio commentary by Movie-Bonfire.
Photo gallery inc. more than 250 rare promo shots.
Trailers of the other films of the Exorcist saga.
Notes and comparison about different cuts of 'The Heretic'.
Written essay about the film's production [2012].
Music video "Linda Blair" by Tanya Markova [SD].
Animated menus, Easter egg and BD-rom extras.

* BD-ROM EXTRAS [multimedia]
- Media folder size : 716mb
- Audio files : LPCM WAV [24bit 96kHz]
- PDF files and URL files also included.

The complete motion picture OST by Ennio Morricone [audio]
The City Of Prague Philharmonic performs "Regan's Theme" in 1996 [audio]
Cinema Misfits reviews "The Heretic" [audio]
New 2014 HQ poster [pdf]
New printable Bluray covers [pdf]

Where can you buy this set?

[ditcin]

Originally Posted by lildemon666

Where can you buy this set?

Although I commend all this being done. It isn't exactly correct. What is being called the Director's Cut isn't at all. That cut doesn't exist. A Director's Cut would include a scene that has never been part of the film - oddly, a scene that actually explains why the film is entitled, "The Heretic".
I've spoken of this scene before and included frames of film. Not only here but elsewhere.
I know and have spoken to Director Boorman and even quoted by Dr. Saperstein on his restoration.
What is disgusting is that an outsider has done what a studio should be doing. It's shameful that the larger studios do less than smaller studios and fans in presenting their films.
The current BD of THE HERETIC is disgusting. Yes, I understand the film hasn't been accepted, and it's audience is smaller compared to the original. But when the likes of Manos: Hands of Fate is given a restoration why should THE HERETIC be given less than a cold shoulder.
I have worked with WB in the past on this film and got the original first week version out on home video - but this was years ago. Those who aided me are long gone. Those that are there now are worthless and uncaring.
I'd like to believe that the current HD master is old and was made by elements that were mispulled - wrongly chosen.
When I look at it I just can't conceive that WB would rightfully chose this to be what represents the studio.

[Mobe1969]

Originally Posted by ditcin

Although I commend all this being done. It isn't exactly correct. What is being called the Director's Cut isn't at all. That cut doesn't exist. A Director's Cut would include a scene that has never been part of the film - oddly, a scene that actually explains why the film is entitled, "The Heretic".
I've spoken of this scene before and included frames of film. Not only here but elsewhere.
I know and have spoken to Director Boorman and even quoted by Dr. Saperstein on his restoration.
What is disgusting is that an outsider has done what a studio should be doing. It's shameful that the larger studios do less than smaller studios and fans in presenting their films.
The current BD of THE HERETIC is disgusting. Yes, I understand the film hasn't been accepted, and it's audience is smaller compared to the original. But when the likes of Manos: Hands of Fate is given a restoration why should THE HERETIC be given less than a cold shoulder.
I have worked with WB in the past on this film and got the original first week version out on home video - but this was years ago. Those who aided me are long gone. Those that are there now are worthless and uncaring.
I'd like to believe that the current HD master is old and was made by elements that were mispulled - wrongly chosen.
When I look at it I just can't conceive that WB would rightfully chose this to be what represents the studio.

I avoided Heretic for so long based on the bad press. I finally saw it yesterday, and honestly I don't get the hate. It wasn't quite as good as the first but it was still above the average horror of the period.

But it doesn't hold a candle to Exorcist 3. My god that film is a fantastic horror, even with the idiotic studio interference. Brad Dourif should have gotten an award for his performance in that. He was xxxxing magnificent. He is just sitting there, chained, and just talking, but he is just utterly terrifying. I can't believe Blatty didn't end up a top tier director after that. The man can direct. Even with the studio dickery that film is magnificent. It doesn't seem to lose impact each time I see it.

I'll be watching the last two tomorrow. What is the recommended order for those?

[Mobe1969]

Sorry. Double post. Got some gateway timeout

[rocknblues81]

I need to buy the original... I admit that I haven't seen the third one in years. The 2nd one is a boring pile of crap outside of Morricone's score.

[travisbickle]

Originally Posted by Zillamon51

Any idea why this item is "under review" at Amazon?

It looks to be OOP? Going for $70 as of now. And the single release of 3 is $40?!

[gates70]

Originally Posted by travisbickle

It looks to be OOP? Going for $70 as of now. And the single release of 3 is $40?!

It is OOP

[Geode]

Originally Posted by ZoetMB

You never would have seen 1.78 in a theatre in the 35mm days. 1.78:1 (actually 16:9) is an AR that was created for HDTV. You would have seen 1.85, 2.35 and 2.2:1 if the theatre also showed 70mm. If it played spherical foreign films and played them properly, it would have played those, if they weren't 1.85, at either 1.66 (many) or 1.75 (a few), depending upon the film. But many theatres would have simply chopped off some top and bottom and played them 1.85. Also, there were some theatres that simply played everything at 2.0:1 as a matter of policy (but that really sucked).

I worked dozens of theaters as a projectionist in the early 70's and never encountered one with aperture plates cut to 2.0 to 1 for a spherical (flat) picture. It was typically 1.75 to 1 and only one house I worked had plates as wide as 1.85 to 1. One was at 1.66 to one and occasionally a bit of frame lines would show. One was 1.37 to 1 and many films had that happening. But you might be surprised how many films actually were full aperture and worked fine at that house.

As for whether you could tell/remember the AR, I was very into movies and the technology even when I was a young kid and while I can't say that I remember the AR for every movie I've ever seen, I remember many of them. And even aside from the shape, I could tell whether a film was spherical (1.85) or anamorphic (2.55 in the initial Cinemascope days, 2.35 by 1956 or so and 2.39 once DTS digital sound came in) by the projectionist's dots - those little circles on the upper right that told the projectionist when to change reels in the days before platters. If the circles were round it was spherical, but if they were elliptical, it was anamorphic. Whenever those dots appeared on the screen, I would turn around and watch the projectionist switch projectors.

It would be obvious just from the screen image dimensions, but yes, cue marks appeared as you state. Also any photographed lens flares are quite different spherical or anamorphic.

[Mobe1969]

I finally saw the lot. Previously I'd only seen 1 tc and ec and 3. I'd actually read both novels prior to seeing the films.

Thoughts...

1 TC. I don't like it at all. To me it felt like they ignored storytelling and made a film adaptation of a book but just wanted to get to the "good bits". This movie was so overhyped for me. I grew up in a nut bag religious family and wasn't able to see many films. Exorcist was one I'd heard of from so many people, seen pics and read in movie books, and didn't get to see until I was an adult in the 90s. I was getting so bored and confused watching it as it made little sense as a story. Like we see Regan and her mom talking all cutesy about wanting a horse, everything all great, then the next scene with them she is peeing herself at the party and mom goes " Sorry, she's been sick lately ". I go What!!?! That characterized the whole experience to me. I actually fell asleep during the exorcism when the priests were incessantly chanting about the power of Christ compelling them. It was like freidken was thinking " I just want to get to the bit where the girl is cursing and using a crucifix to pleasure herself as fast as possible, story be damned. My least favorite of the entire series.

1 EC. More like the book and makes sense as a narrative. Plus the ending scene with Kinderman tied directly with legion. I'd rank it number 2.

2. Wasn't as bad as I'd heard. Was no worse than a lot of horror of the era, but OK. 4th.

3. My favorite of the lot, even with the studio interference. A great story. Great performances across the board. And fantastic direction. Fantastic.

4. The Harlin movie. Great. Pretty unnerving. A good story. Great how they tied it nicely to the original with the statues etc. I'd rank this same as the 1 EC.. Maybe higher

4 the Schrader. My least favorite of the lot. Just so pedestrian, bright, and unscary. And all the places Harlin used to tie it to the original were there (the statue) but they missed the opportunity and used generic images. Like the director got a script from someone who knew the original and was describing stuff, but the director knew nothing.

[capsizebrian]

Is the Image of the girl back lit with wild hair as seen in the heretiv teaser, really an image made for the Heretic press campaign? I seem to remember the image from an Italian exorcist rip off called the Tempter. However, when the teaser trailer zooms in to that opening image image of what we are to assume is Regan, the side lighting and shape of the face almost look like the Kabuki demon in shadow. Is it possible then it was a full body photo test of that make up?

[capsizebrian]

That's really true, They did terrific sound mizes and transfers for other forgotten films like Watcher in the Woods and The Car long before their respective studios released them and in better presentation.

[capsizebrian]

Sadly The heretic doesn't stand much of a chance for rediscovery based onthe terrible transfer and cropping Warners did. I don;t understand why they cropped into this more then the original DVD did. It was the same ratio as the original. While the film gets a bad rap, most people at least agree on the terrific Morricone score and the good art direction and cinematography. Unfortunately Warners has even tampered with a decent representation of those things with a flat sound mix and cropping up the original frame. Attached are samples. Don;t judge color tones by these images as I had to take pics off the TV screen for the blu ray. These are to show the terrible cropping job they did.