The Exorcist: Director's Cut (Extended Edition)

Scariest move I've ever seen in my life!!!

I'm sure there are many people here old enough to remember this film when it came out in 1973. Three friends and I went to see it, and I was one of the people you heard about on the news who came running out of the theater screaming bloody murder from sheer terror. I've never had a fright like that in my entire life. Even though I was Catholic, I didn't know anything about exorcisms. And this extended edition of the film had a few more scary scenes, one was really bad. Fortunately, I knew the best way not to fear the film, other than my faith, was to watch it periodically. It worked, even in renting this version of it. I know it seems the best thing to do would be just not to ever watch it again. Even in the theater, when I'd apparently had enough and let out this really big scream, I still sat there with just one eye open, and my finger in one ear; I wanted my money's worth. I never thought I would actually buy it, but apparently the price must have been really right. I'm not pleased at the cover picture, but no fears. I still will not watch it after dark, though. Now 40 years later, I look at the special effects, comparing them to modern film capabilities. The "head-turning" scene seems a bit dated; I think now it could probably be a little smoother. But everything else remains the same, although now I'm a bit more cognizant of the medical tests Regan had to submit to having. I don't even remember them from the theater version, but they were there. Lots of exorcism movies have been made since then and I've watched them, but not one comes close to this one. It's very good, but very scary.

Not that I don't enjoy the new horror movies with all their special effects but there is just something about the subtle psychological terror that creeps into your brain as you hear the noises coming from Regan's bedroom as Father Merrin and Father Karras climb those stairs. Maybe it's the "sight unseen" aspect of that part that does it for me but the movie is so much more than that scene alone. I am so glad that they decided to release the extended version with the "staircase spider walk"....if you've only seen the original version and don't know what that is, the Director's Cut Extended Edition is a must see. Along with that hair-raising additional scene, you get clearer snapshots of Pazuzu's image whereas in the original, you were left thinking maybe you imagined seeing that face for a split second. I don't know which is worse, thinking you may have imagined an image like that or actually knowing what it looks like and having it burned into your subconscious forever (seriously, could you stop yourself from rewinding it the first time you noticed it and freezing the frame to get a REALLY good look??). The lack of high cost special effects work to this film's advantage because I feel it lends to the feeling that maybe, just maybe, this could really happen. Okay, I know that the chances of someone's head physically turning 360 degrees is zero, but you have to admit, the movie just wouldn't have been the same without that. Definitely in my top five all time favorite movies.

Great movie for any horror fan. Highly recommend. One of my favorite horror movies of all times.

This is a great scary movie!!!! A real classic

To be clear: this review does not concentrate on the movie itself, which, I concede, was pathbreaking in 1973 and still holds up for Halloween. Instead, my focus is on this particular edition. You get what you pay for. At this writing Amazon offers this edition at about eight bucks: very economical. What did I get at this price? The movie itself in good quality video, modest but effective stereo. The Blu-Ray version, I imagine, would present a much denser and crisper image; I doubt, however, that the colors would be more striking, since Friedkin, his cinematographer and production designer, decided on a more muted palette to start with. "The Director's Cut" refers to an additional 10-15 minutes that Friedkin edited out of the movie's first release (probably to keep the running time closer to the two-hour mark, thus helping Warner Bros. sell more tickets every day). What of the extra features? In THIS edition—not others—most of what you get is a series of re-relase trailers, TV, and radio promos. How much you adore these will depend on how much you love hearing, over and again, that this is "the scariest movie ever made." (I disagree, but your mileage may vary.) The principal special feature, which I was most looking forward to, was the director's commentary, voiced over the movie. This, to put it mildly, is a disappointment. Having seen and heard other interviews with Friedkin, I know that he can be articulate and perceptive. Here, for some reason, he simply narrates the story we are seeing onscreen. There are practically no insights into the film's production, precious little on its background, and few comments on the acting, (I do agree with him that the quiet, subtle "interrogation" of Ellen Burstyn's character by Lee Cobb's is a highlight of the film.) It would be unfair to accuse Friedkin of phoning in this commentary. He sounds, not bored, but merely redundant. So … if all you want is the basic, slightly extended version, with a bland frill at a low price, this should do the job. Be prepared for little more.

Who didn't love this film??

Years later, I finally got a chance to watch famous horror The Exorcist (1973). The film does live up to it hype. More than for decades have passed since its release, and it still scares the hell out of people. The movie is similar in nature to popular horrors like The Omen (1976) or Rosemary's Baby (1968). The movie is perfect in every aspect. Creepy music score, good plot development, eerie atmosphere, interesting characters, not to mention special effects, which for its time are very appealing. The movie deals with a young girl who gets possessed by Satan, and her actress mother who tries everything to help her daughter free-her-self from the evil spirit. The young actress who was only 14 years old when she played the possessed girl did a remarkable job at portraying one crazy f....b....she should have been awarded with an Oscar for that performance. No question about that. Totally recommend this one to anyone who still has not seen this classic and is an avid horror fan.