The Exorcist - 40^th Anniversary Edition: Extended Director's Cut and Original Theatrical Version (1973/Warner Blu-ray + Ultraviolet Copy)

Picture: B+ Sound: B Extras: B+ Film: B+

PLEASE NOTE: The Exorcist 4K has been issued, but does not include most of the extras in this set, or ones only on the old DVD set. You can read more about the new 4K edition at:

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/16336/The+Exorcist+4K+(1973/Warner+4K+Ultra

New to Blu-ray is The Exorcist: 40^th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray with Ultraviolet Copy. The Exorcist is one of the quintessential horror classics; shocking audiences for over 40 years now.

If you are wondering if this is the same Extended Director's Edition with Original Theatrical Version released in October 2010, yes it is, save a few featurettes, missing teasers, trailers and TV spots, plus a nice hardback copy of The Friedkin Connection: A Memoir by William Friedkin as well as the set being housed in a new, thick, cardboard slipcover and a couple new extras (to be discussed below). So overall, this set is a double dip of that 2010 release. The hardback book is very nice and covers some very intense, personal information from the making of The Exorcist by the legendary director of both The French Connection and The Exorcist. Not only is the information key, but the book also contains a number of exclusive photographs featured nowhere else.

The last review of The Exorcist was very all inclusive and covered much of what this reviewer could say; but what I can say is though the content didn't change, what you are getting is the same great film.

The Exorcist argued by some to be the scariest movie of all time and argued by director William Friedkin to an investigation of the mystery of faith. I would tend to agree with both as the film as scary as heck, but is not simply a 'things that go bump in the night' or 'blood fest'; it is a detailed, thought provoking film that leaves an impact long after the initial viewing. For that reason that is why I think the film has survived over 40 years. Is it the scariest film I have ever seen? No. But it is certainly one of the BEST horror films I have ever seen.

If you are one of the many people who purchased the 2010 release than you will find no new technical content here. For the super fans, however, the hardback copy of The Friedkin Connection: A Memoir is a nice addition to any collection and may be worth the double dip.

For a further look into this classic horror film, please view our previous review at the link below:

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/10467/The+Exorcist+(1973+(including+Extended+Director

The brief technical features are as follows:

Picture - 1080p High Definition 16 x 9, 1.85 X 1

Sound - 6.1 DTS HD Master Audio

Ported over extras include:

• Introduction by William Friedkin

• Commentary by William Friedkin (on both versions of film)

• Commentary by William Peter Blatty with Sound Effect Tests

• The Fear of God: 25 Years of Exorcist

• Interview Gallery with William Friedkin and William Peter Blatty

• Original Ending

• Sketches and Storyboards

• Theatrical Trailers and TV Spots

• Raising Hell: Filming the Exorcist

• Exorcist Locations: Georgetown Now and Then

• Faces of Evil: The Different Versions of the Exorcist

On the third disc of this set we are treated to the new (to me at least) featurettes that again explore the history of The Exorcist. New extras include:

• Ultraviolet Copy of film

• Beyond Comprehension: William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist

  • Writer of The Exorcist goes back to where it all began to take a retrospective look back at how the film developed and how it has impacted his life and creative style.

• Talk of the Devil: A 'Never Before Seen' Documentary with Father Gallagher

  • A talk with Father Gallagher documenting the actual exorcism the film was based on as Blatty heard it while at Georgetown University.

- Michael P. Dougherty II