The Exorcist blu ray

L

liz villa

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Just finished watching this new blu ray SE.

It's a very good hi-def transfer, though given the age of the film there is still some inherent grain...but it's certainly the best the film has looked...and sounded. The soundtrack and sound effects are half the movie...whether it be be the various voices and utterings of the demon, the mayhem of the room being torn apart during the exorcism itself, or the various startling jolts littered throughout the film, such as that phone ringing, or the demons shout of 'Meeerrrrrriiinnnnnnnaaaaaaahhh!' as Max Von Sydow's character enters the house.

As for extras, new to this version is a 30 minute doc of actual on-set footage that has not been seen before, which though has no dialogue is narrated by the people involved, and is absolutely fascinating.

There is a new commentary from Friedkin, a feature on the locations used, and a comparison between the original and 2000 versions.

In fact, both versions are included here, as is the original, excellent Fear Of God documentary (full version).

There are lots of other extras such as tv and radio spots, trailers, storyboarRAB and others that I have not got to yet...but so far this release seems to be pretty definitive.
 
I understood that the Fear of God documentary was NOT the full version but was the same cut 50 minute version that appeared on the previous UK dvd.

The uncut version is 75 minutes and was included on the US dvd 25th Anniversary edition.

Even the BBC broadcast was over an hour and had footage not included in either of the other versions.

I've got the US disc on the way as it's one of the digibook versions so I can't resist the 48 page hardcover book of stills.

I also hear that the Theatrical version is not as it should be and that neither the original WB opening nor the climactic jump cut have been retained and that it still has the same alterations as the previous UK dvd of the cinema version.

Only the very first US dvd of the film is 100% faithful to the 1973 version
 
According to a listing I just looked at the Fear Of God version on the US Bluray is the 77 minute one so assuming it is also on the UK one that means its a UK debut for the longer version
 
It is indeed the R1 version that I have, and it is the full 77 min Fear Of God doc.

I really don't know about the UK version. I had a quick look at it in HMV the other day, and realised that it does not recreate the excellent R1 40 page digibook.

The R1 packaging is literally like a mini novel, with excellent pics, information about the movie, the cast and filmakers etc. Plus a seperate insert with a personal message from director Friedkin.
 
I picked up the UK Blu Ray today while in HMV, it definitely sounRAB like the US version is better in terms of packaging, all that was inside mine was an advert for the new Se7en Blu Ray.

According to the Amazon.co.uk details for the release though, the Fear of God doc lasts 77 minutes. I don't know whether this is correct though, i'll have a look later.
 
Apparently the documentary is still missing some footage of Mercedes McCambridge and BBFC nutter James Ferman that were only included on the BBC broadcast .
This footage was not on the R1 dvd either.

The Warner digibook packaging is much nicer and they've done it on quite a few films .
I got the North by Northwest and 1981 Clash of the Titans too .
Well worth the extra fiver.

My US set should be here by the end of the week
 
Hmmm...I had a feeling that I had seen footage of Mercedes McCambridge somewhere. Don't remember Ferman's stuff though.

Still...I am long past this 'I DEMAND EVERY SECOND OF FOOTAGE EVER SHOT' stage with films and doc's these days...I can live with it.
 
Ferman was talking about the ban on the film which was still relevant when it aired on the BBC.
I did read that there were some copyright issues regarding the MM interview but I don't know the specifics
 
The US digibook arrived today and its well worth the extra fiver.
Lovely hardback book and 48 pages of behind the scenes info and stills.

Does the UK edition have the insert letter from Friedkin?
 
Nice to see that the documentary includes the full original ending that Friedkin could not include as the soundtrack was lost so we get to see it with very low audio.

The comparisons between the different versions is another nice bonus too.
 
The original ending (with the bit missing) is a bonus on the TV.

It's included in the documentary that compares the different versions.
Nothing much happens at all.

In the theatrical version the priest starts walking toward the camera .
The directors cut shows him talking to the detective before they walk off together , but there is a missing bit where they are crossing the street together and talking but the audio is low as the proper track is missing and that comes from the middle of the scene that is the ending on the DC.
 
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