[fatherbowdern]

For those of us fortunate to attend The Exorcist: Extended Director’s Cut one-night only theatrical release tonight, this is a special Spoiler Page for those who want to celebrate.

THEATRICAL RELEASE COUNTDOWN: 2 hours, 50 minutes, 49 seconds

Father Bowdern 🙂

[Ceru]

I shall return with an account of my screening’s audience size, reactions, etc. 😀

[fatherbowdern]

Do not read below if you are interested in seeing the BTS on your own. You will be amazed or even perhaps let down a little.

Father Bowdern

SPOILERS:

Notables:

Copyright remains as 2000; e.g., no changes to the 2000 release other than the digital polishing. Our theater was 15 minutes late on the showing time due to heavy downloading from the Fathom site.

Color and sound are indescribably perfect. Roizman’s changes in tonal values along with corrected brightness and contrast levels made the entire cast look more realistic in terms of Dick Smith’s makeup on Regan, Chris, Father Karras, and Father Merrin. In fact, there are scenes with Chris where she has red and puffy eyes … something I’ve never noticed in any of the other versions. Regan’s eyes are more piercing than ever and Fr. Merrin’s pallor is truer to a corpse as he lies dead on the floor after Pazuzu kills him. The sound is incredible in theaters, particularly the noises in the attic that seem to move from one side of the theater to another. The jet plane noise used to transition from Northern Iraq to Washington, DC is magnificent.

It appears that two of the Pazuzu flash images are missing. These include the head of Pazuzu on the door of Regan’s room and the image of the Pazuzu figure on the wall in Regan’s bedroom.

During the levitation scene, wires are quite apparent and I’m not sure why WB didn’t spend the time on them that MGM did on the Cowardly Lion’s tail in The Wizard of Oz.

The ripped makeup on Eileen Dietz’s face during the vomit scene has no changes either as well the break in Blair’s demon makeup during the backward demon voices scene.

BTS:

To make the records, toys, etc. fly into Regan’s window at the beginning of the crucifix masturbation scene, special effects men employed an air cannon and a simple v-shaped wood shoot.

Blair definitely performed the entire crucifix scene albeit Dietz did the actual crotch stabbing quick take at another time.

We get to see three assistants working behind the bed to make it shake, rise, and thump. It is very low tech as expected and exactly as described by Blair in the FOG documentary in 2000. One of the original shoots included Blair and Burstyn climbing off the shaking bed.

The arteriogram behind-the-scenes blows the entire illusion and may not be what you expected; again very low tech, but effective.

Blair claims that she actually wore the vomit apparatus too and when she wore it she had to do so correctly or “it would backfire into my mouth.” Roizman concurs with her statement. You will see both Dietz and Blair vomiting from the apparatus although it is difficult to tell the two apart because of the filming angle that Roizman’s BTS crew had to do along with the identical makeup on both. Additionally, you will see the canister, pumps, and several of the crew working on the setup and deployment of the vomit. There was a small comment by Roizmen about how ineffective and messy the scene became on film. Inasmuch, Friedkin had no interest in using the vomit apparatus performance by Blair or Dietz, thus the painted in vomit and the quick shot of Dietz with the vomit apparatus.

There is a very small feature of the 360-degree head-turning dummy making its 180-degree head turn at the ending of the crucifix masturbation scene.

Not a single film cell on the spider-walk. Bummer.

There is slightly more contact lens information including information you may have already known. Blair talks about having to use numbing eye drops and the most comfortable lenses are the white contacts that she actually inserts herself (where was the ophthalmologist?).

There are new scenes on the makeup transformation completed by Dick Smith on Regan and Father Merrin. That was a true pleasure to see after all these years.

Will you love it? You bet your bippy you will!

[GhettoExorcist]

To followup I too did notice that the two Pazuzu flashes in Regan’s room were missing..THANK GOD. That truly was overkill.

I did feel that the feature at the end was kind of a gyp as it was clearly a truncated version of what is on the bluray. The editing of each different segment was all over the place and the actual title of the feature was called To Hell And Back whereas what is featured on the bluray is supposedly titled Raising Hell.

The movie’s overall look was amazing. I forgot that I was watching a 40 year old movie instead of a newly filmed period piece about the early 70s. This is gonna be killer on my 61 inch tv because it looked amazing on the big screen.

The behind the scenes footage was interesting as Bowdern pointed out that clearly Linda was used for pretty much every scene aside from the vomiting. I was really hoping too see some Howdy footage and aside from a brief flash we got nothing.

As stated before, I don’t think this is the entire piece that is on the bluray but instead a mere “best of” compilation.

P.S. The brief shot of Linda in demonic makeup looking at her dummy in demonic makeup was priceless.

[GhettoExorcist]

To followup I too did notice that the two Pazuzu flashes in Regan’s room were missing..THANK GOD. That truly was overkill.

I did feel that the feature at the end was kind of a gyp as it was clearly a truncated version of what is on the bluray. The editing of each different segment was all over the place and the actual title of the feature was called To Hell And Back whereas what is featured on the bluray is supposedly titled Raising Hell.

The movie’s overall look was amazing. I forgot that I was watching a 40 year old movie instead of a newly filmed period piece about the early 70s. This is gonna be killer on my 61 inch tv because it looked amazing on the big screen.

The behind the scenes footage was interesting as Bowdern pointed out that clearly Linda was used for pretty much every scene aside from the vomiting. I was really hoping too see some Howdy footage and aside from a brief flash we got nothing.

As stated before, I don’t think this is the entire piece that is on the bluray but instead a mere “best of” compilation.

P.S. The brief shot of Linda in demonic makeup looking at her dummy in demonic makeup was priceless.

[fatherbowdern]

Ghetto,

I’m hoping there will be much, much more on the BR. But, like you, I feel they showed us the best-of-the-best. I’m glad to hear another fan say that the missing Pazuzu images were indeed missing! If only they had ditched the one on the stove vent, it would have been more in-tune with audiences. After all, WB knew the images caused laughter and that’s what I heard.

You are so right about Linda and the dummy. Poor Linda had to look at that way too often and I’m guessing they needed the dummy as a blueprint for Blair’s makeup during those scenes.

Also, my theater opted in to making the theater warm in the beginning and then turning on the air conditioner on high blast during the exorcism “frozen breath” scenes. I could call it coincidence, but it was too noticeable by everyone there.

Father Bowdern

[epicwin123]

I just got home. There was barley anyone in the theater! I was kind of disapointed about that. The movie over all was WONDERFUL on the big screen!
The after video clip was interesting. I want to watch it again. Seeing all the sceens with the camera man made it very different. It was a great night tonite!

[DamienKarras]

I was too somewhat dissapointed, There were about 20 people in the theatre, most of which had already seen the film, so there weren’t really any strong reactions.. In fact the only part people actually cringed a little was during the crucifix masturbation scene. It was definitley a great experience to see it on the big screen though! I thought I got goosebumps at home.. Some parts in there were just intense, I really hope I get to see it on the big screen again at least once more in my life. =-)

I really loved the BTS documetary, definitley showed me some things I have been wanting to know. I can only imagine how much more satisfying it would be if they had audio! But Owen did the right thing trying not to get noticed by Friedkin, for sure.

Okay.. Now it gets personal =P
I kind of felt bad, when Linda (in the BTS) said: “I try to explain to kids that it’s not a horror film..” (As she was talking about putting the film in a genre and such). It’s kind of hard to explain how that made me feel, being a younger fan. Mostly like the older fans may just consider me ‘some kid’ who likes The Exorcist just for the scary elements. That and some other things I think made me avoid some conversations going on after the film in the lobby. Not really relevant haha.

Ahhh, and the last thing that REALLY upset me.. Let me set the scene: I was coming out of the theatre and entering the foyer of the building while my mother went to the washroom.. I waited, and those damn drinks in the cinemas in the states are huge so I waited for her to come out before I went in. There was another person waiting in the same place I was but he went to the washroom a little earlier than myself. My mother came out of the restroom and I just went into the mens while the man that was waiting next to me in the lobby exited. I come out the bathroom to realize that the wonderful Exorcist poster I was planning on asking to have was already given to the man literally seconds before I had the chance to ask. I almost cried, haha. A little bit my fault though.. Oh well. It’s.. It’s very remote (hehe)

But overall had a good night, hope everyone else did too! :>

[fatherbowdern]

I will add too that when Linda Blair is talking about the film, she mentions that she received a standing ovation from the audience at the New York premiere. When Blair teared up about that recollection it was genuine and heart touching.

Father Bowdern

[DamienKarras]

That was a nice moment =)
It was kind of surprising considering she looked like she could, Well.. Whoop my ass

EDIT: I also did notice the two missing subliminal pazuzu shots.

[Jason Stringer]

Thanks for this thread, Father Bowdern, and thanks to everyone who provided comments! (Wish I could have been at a screening!) Oh well.

I’ve reached out to fans via the facebook page also, and will be combining experiences/comments into a special report for captainhowdy.com’s front page. I’ll use comments made here, also, if everyone who has posted is OK with that. Please email me or PM me with anything else you might like to add for the special post.

[Ceru]

Well, there were maybe 20 people at my screening, not too shabby. A packed audience would’ve been great, of course.
I thought maybe I’d blinked and missed the subliminal face on Regan’s door, and the statue on the wall was too dark to see. Turns out they weren’t even there!

Best use of enhanced color: The vibrant blue skies of Iraq.
NO MORE PURPLE!! Everything look so much more natural.

Laugh out loud line: A tie between “I lied, it’s for me” and “What an excellent day for an exorcism”. Yes, audiences love when the demon says that.

Audience jumped the highest at: The telephone ringing in the backwards tape scene.

Audience cringed loudly at: Regan turning her head 180 degrees.
The shot of the wrist strap ripping before Regan levitates.

Best use of surround sound: The “rats in the attic”.
The weeping women when Karras sees ghostly Mother Karras sitting up in bed.
The crowd noise just before Dyer gives Karras the last rites, there were random voices EVERYwhere.

Best use of sub-woofer bass: The thunderous “and I’m The Devil” line.
The demon’s seat-rattling “Aaaaahhh!!” after talking backwards.

The BTS footage was fascinating. They sure had every aspect of the crucifix scene covered.
I predict that shot of Linda posing alongside the dummy will appear as a screencap on this site very quickly.

I think it’s a bit of a stretch to call The Exorcist “a beautiful love story” as Ray Bradbury did, but Blatty does point out the fact that Karras never did meet Regan herself, just the demon.
And Linda getting emotional while recalling the New York premiere was very touching.

[YourGonnaDieUpThere]

Bought the ticket the day they went on sale. $12.50.

I saw it last night at the theater. It was jam packed. 3 of us went, got in 10 min before the start-time. Tough to find a seat.

Was disappointed that I had no idea they’d be showing half the documentary before the movie. I caught the last 10 min before the feature started. Then the rest of the docu was played after the movie.

Crowd was nice. Not as much laughter as when I saw the 2000 release. No commercials and no trailers. Also nice. 🙂

[fatherbowdern]

Captain Howdy said:

Thanks for this thread, Father Bowdern, and thanks to everyone who provided comments! (Wish I could have been at a screening!) Oh well.

I’ve reached out to fans via the facebook page also, and will be combining experiences/comments into a special report for captainhowdy.com’s front page. I’ll use comments made here, also, if everyone who has posted is OK with that. Please email me or PM me with anything else you might like to add for the special post.

Cap, I’m loving this newer look, layout, and fonts you’ve chosen for the site. Bravo! It is quite an excellent shock when I logged in today.

It’s a definite OK from me to use my comments. I would love to see what others have said as well.

Father Bowdern

[Ceru]

‘YoureGonnaDieUpThere’ saw what I saw at my Fathom Event screening at AMC. After showing Exorcist trivia, and other Fathom Event ads, ten minutes of the BTS documentary (mostly Blair, Friedkin and Blatty talking) was shown before The Exorcist, then the rest of the doc (with all the good stuff) was shown after the film’s end credits.
So even though my original movie start time was scheduled for 7pm as printed on my ticket, it got rescheduled to 7:30pm, then with that bit of documentary added, the Warner Bros shield finally appeared onscreen at precisely 7:40pm!

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