[Bezalel]

As I recall there was quite a lengthy thread awhile back on the subject of the different DVD versions. Since I never weighed in on that one, here’s my take…

The 3 versions of The Exorcist available on DVD (with my own two cents on each) are as follow:

The first DVD (released in 1997, I believe) of the film in its original 1973 form: This, for me, is the true classic. Although perhaps a little grainier than subsequent releases, I feel that it best retains the rawness – and that indefinable ‘x-factor’ – of the original release as I first experienced it in the theater back in 1979. The colors are much more natural (a point emphasized awhile back when some wonderful soul posted side-by-side comparison screen shots in this forum of this version with the 25th Anniversary version) and I find the sound much more affecting as well. I don’t think this version is in print any longer, but I picked up a used copy at a fairly decent price through Amazon.

The 25th Anniversary Special Edition: The film itself has been remastered, and is indeed much “cleaner.” But is that necessarily a good thing? As for the tinting issue – yes, both this and TVYNS are obviously bluer than the original film and the first DVD release (I’ve never heard an explanation as to why). But this too is a version no true fan of the film should be without. It has the most stunning array of extras to ever grace a DVD (including the unparalleled documentary, “The Fear of God”). Although the original box set it came in – including an excellent commemorative book by Mark Kermode, a remastered soundtrack CD (missing Tubular Bells and Night of the Electric Insects, but with the samples from Schiffrin’s controversial rejected score), lobby card repros and a matted cell – is out of print, the DVD itself is still readily available.

The Version You’ve Never Seen: This is the fulfillment of Blatty’s dream – and years upon years of lobbying – to have most of the materials that had been cut from the original film at the last minute by a nervous William Friedkin reinstated. I have mixed feelings about this version. On one hand, seeing scenes such as the first doctor visit and the priests’ stairway discussion was such a treat, and greatly enhanced the story and overall experience of the film. On the other hand, I think Friedkin went over the top in “enhancing” the film as a whole. Specifically, I feel that the added sound and musical elements were obtrusive and broke the “magic” he achieved with the original sound design. And the flash images of the demon he added here and there are just silly for the most part, coming across almost as a self parody of the more subtle and effective elements he created in the original film. And, of course, there’s the “spider walk.” I was excited as anybody to see this reinstated, but once I saw it I wished they just left it out. Although I actually prefer the cobbled together version in the “Fear of God” documentary, from what I’ve seen there was just no way to really make this seen work as it was filmed. Personally, I think they should have filmed it more like the scene in the book, where it was much more credible and chilling. In retrospect, I wish they would have just taken the original film (sans blue tint) and added the missing scenes in more organically, without all the extra dressings. But there’s still much here to admire.

As for box sets, if you don’t have the films on DVD, you can complete your collection fairly simply now by getting the Complete Anthology boxed set released last year (including the 25th Anniversary, TVYNS, and all the sequels and prequels) and buying the original 1973 version separately. That’s what I did.

There, for what it’s worth, is my take.

[Blizzi]

Thanks very much! I wanted to be absolutely sure so I wouldn’t get the wrong thing 😉 So this description is wrong? http://www.amazon.com/Exorcist-Complete-Anthology-Original-Beginning/dp/B000HEWEGC/ref=sr_1_40/103-0216068-7569474?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1177709882&sr=8-40 It says original… maybe they made a mistake and meant 25th… Either way I need the original, 25th, Heretic and Dominion. It’s too bad if they’re not printing the original anymore. 🙁

[Bezalel]

Yes, the “original” to which they are referring is actually the remastered 25th Anniversary version – which many feel is the ultimate version of the original film to have. I personally prefer the original (“untouched”) original ;P. But like I said, you can usually find copies of the original 1997 DVD if you search Amazon and other places on the web. Good luck!

[Blizzi]

Thanks for clearing this up 😀 You’d think if they really wanted to sell stuff, they’d at least go to the trouble of getting the description of the product right 😛

[Blizzi]

I know there was an old thread relating to this, but I want to be sure I have this right. Which (if any) box set has the original 1973 version? What is the difference between the 25th anniversary dvd and TVYNS? Is the 25th tinted blue?Which box set has the most stuff? 😛

[ReganMacNeilfan]

I like lots of versions. Hard to choose. 🙂

[Justin]

Can we please refrain from bumping really old threads as it floods the forum and makes it difficult to find current discussions. Thank you

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