...shocking, sometimes outrageous, and certainly profane, so be forewarned. It is not for children. It is also quite chilling.
In his methodically deliberate way, director Friedkin slowly builds and releases tension that is not only thrilling but seems perfectly natural. The special effects sometimes draw attention to themselves, like the swiveling head, yet they always sustain the horror of the event. It´s easy for an audience to suspend their disbelief when they don´t have to keep saying to themselves, "Oh, that´s silly" or "That couldn´t really happen." This stuff is made to look and feel as though it really could happen.
Video:
So, it´s a good film. It deserves special treatment, and Warner Brothers deliver it. The film is presented in widescreen, an approximately 1.85:1 ratio, with a decent if not entirely perfect screen image.
Audio:
The sound is 5.1 Dolby Digital. Its stereo spread is fairly limited; nonetheless, it is startlingly effective in several key scenes, particularly at the end, and it is adequate in all the others.
Extras:
But where the first, regular edition had a pan-and-scan version on side two, the Special Edition contains a seventy-six minute documentary produced by the BBC called "The Fear of God: The Making of ´The Exorcist.´" It provides recent interviews with the film´s writer and director, the cameraman, the make-up artist, the stunt people, and all the major stars. It also shows us film footage that wasn´t included in the final cut, like Regan´s spider walk down the stairs, and a host of fascinating details and trivia. In addition, the Special Edition features two, separate, full-feature audio commentary tracks, one by director William Friedkin and the other by writer/producer William Peter Blatty. Of course, in order to take advantage of both tracks, one would have to watch the film in its entirety two more times, an exercise film buffs would take great pleasure in doing, I´m sure.
Then there are sketches, storyboards, production notes, cast bios, and further interviews with Friedkin and Blatty discussing their personal interpretations of the story. It´s quite a fine package and should deliver countless hours of entertainment.
Parting Thoughts:
"The Exorcist" is one of the better horror films around. It follows in the tradition of "Rosemary´s Baby" and "The Haunting" in that it is a plausible horror story. Yet "The Exorcist" goes beyond the others with its subplot of Father Karras. It is really his conversion to a belief in spirits that makes believers of us all. And this is what good film making is all about--forcing us to believe in the unbelievable. "The Exorcist" is shocking, sometimes outrageous, and certainly profane, so be forewarned. It is not for children. It is also quite chilling, and I recommend it highly.
Video:
So, it´s a good film. It deserves special treatment, and Warner Brothers deliver it. The film is presented in widescreen, an approximately 1.85:1 ratio, with a decent if not entirely perfect screen image.
Audio:
The sound is 5.1 Dolby Digital. Its stereo spread is fairly limited; nonetheless, it is startlingly effective in several key scenes, particularly at the end, and it is adequate in all the others.
Extras:
But where the first, regular edition had a pan-and-scan version on side two, the Special Edition contains a seventy-six minute documentary produced by the BBC called "The Fear of God: The Making of ´The Exorcist.´" It provides recent interviews with the film´s writer and director, the cameraman, the make-up artist, the stunt people, and all the major stars. It also shows us film footage that wasn´t included in the final cut, like Regan´s spider walk down the stairs, and a host of fascinating details and trivia. In addition, the Special Edition features two, separate, full-feature audio commentary tracks, one by director William Friedkin and the other by writer/producer William Peter Blatty. Of course, in order to take advantage of both tracks, one would have to watch the film in its entirety two more times, an exercise film buffs would take great pleasure in doing, I´m sure.
Then there are sketches, storyboards, production notes, cast bios, and further interviews with Friedkin and Blatty discussing their personal interpretations of the story. It´s quite a fine package and should deliver countless hours of entertainment.
Parting Thoughts:
"The Exorcist" is one of the better horror films around. It follows in the tradition of "Rosemary´s Baby" and "The Haunting" in that it is a plausible horror story. Yet "The Exorcist" goes beyond the others with its subplot of Father Karras. It is really his conversion to a belief in spirits that makes believers of us all. And this is what good film making is all about--forcing us to believe in the unbelievable. "The Exorcist" is shocking, sometimes outrageous, and certainly profane, so be forewarned. It is not for children. It is also quite chilling, and I recommend it highly.
Average user rating (1-5):
[release]411[/release]