[ihatepazuzu]

I did find a review of all 3:

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/reviews/exorcist25thanniv.html

[Jason Stringer]

Heres a quick run down

1997 ? warner dvd flip sided release
widescreen stereo on one side, full frame 5.1 sound on the reverse and trailer – although virtually bare bones this is the version seen at cinemas in 73 with the original warner logo opening , dream sequence in colour not de-saturated and karras / pazuzu jump cut before window jump. ORIGINAL SOUND.

25th anniversary edition – widescreen 5.1 etc with all the special features documentery etc , but film has been ‘tampered with’ colour is changed from theatrical release see above.5.1 SOUND.

The version you never saw / directors cut – film altered to include lots of new sequences ‘ spider walk etc’.sound altered with new sound effects etc.

The first release is hard to find and was overlooked by most fans and discarded when the new anniversary edition was released, but is in my humble opinion what i saw at the movies that scared me half to death , so i think the best release.

I MAY HAVE MADE SOME OMMISSIONS SO PLEASE FORGIVE ME …

[Burke]

Interesting. I didn’t know the aforementioned info in regards to the 97 release.

I think I’ll have to find a copy.

Thanks!

[granville1]

Merrin, thanks for the review. However, can you please tell me what the Karras/Pazuzu jump cut before the window jump is… I’ve not seen it before. I presume this was replaced in TVYNS with the window “framing” Karras’ mother…?

[Justin]

However, can you please tell me what the Karras/Pazuzu jump cut before the window jump is… I’ve not seen it before. I presume this was replaced in TVYNS with the window “framing” Karras’ mother…?

I think he means the way Karras turns back normal before jumping out the window. In the original it just quickly cuts to a non-possessed shot of Karras, which has been fixed up in the 25th and TVYNS so it looks smooth.

[granville1]

Ah, thanks, Justin – I get it now!

[Father Fletcher]

I didn’t know the 25th anniversary DVD edition had been altered for colour!

Is this true?!

~ I like TYNS – BUT the 73 version with all its grit & flaws is better IMO 🙂

[ihatepazuzu]

I suppose this would be something for the FAQ – but can someone give me a run down of the different DVD versions of The Excorcist?

I assume the first release was just the film.

Then there was the 25th anniversary that came with the box set and had the Fear of God & other extras.

Most recently there is TVYNS.

Is there one I missed? There seem to be 4 on Amazon.

I recently bought the anniversary box set, but in VHS – and I’m trying to find out the difference between the tape & the DVD. It was only $20, still sealed, which I thought was a good deal.

[merrin]

tis indeed true
i think there all 3 versions are slightly different but ive not compared to be honest , although there was a link to some comparisons on the forum.
Friedkin took out the yellowy gold and washed it out.
the 1997 release is the untouched movie of course by todays standards of authoring its clear little restoration was done on it , it very grainy but i prefer it .
By the time we get to TVYNS its too glossy looking it should look a bit rough take a look at The French Connection thats gritty and captures his documentery feel.

[Author]

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