Review of Exorcist, The: 25th Anniversary

Video

This is a digitally remastered version, and yes the picture is excellent. There are moments of graininess due to the age of the original print no doubt, but we are definitely looking at a fine piece of restoration here.

This is a cleverly made film, visuals are always used to great effect whether its special effects or camera angles and lighting. Since CGI was clearly not an option back when the best graphics had barely reached Pong standard, everything has been created and shot live which makes the effects so much more believable.

Audio

Along with the remastered video, audio gets a new treatment too. For the first time you can experience The Exorcist in full Dolby Digital 5.1, although before you get too excited remember that this was practically a mono film to start with. Rear channels are mainly used for a few key scenes only, but they are well worth having all the same.

Music doesn`t feature very prominently, as this has one of those matter-of-fact soundtracks which steadily pulls you in with its almost documentary-like audio. That`s not to say there isn`t any, as there is the odd soft eary backing in places, and of course the famous Tubular Bells.

Features

Wahaay, a Special Edition worthy of the name. Apart from loads of trailers and TV spots, two seperate commentary tracks by the director William Friedkin and the writer William Peter Blatty, there is also a great BBC documentary lasting 75 minutes. This is what we want! Apparently this disc was recalled before it even reached the shops because the commentary tracks weren`t clear enough, its nice to see Warner taking the time to get it right, because what little I`ve listened to shows it was well worth it.

The documentary, as you would expect from the BBC, is top notch and features almost everyone who contributed towards making this the classic film it is. How they did the special effects is just fascinating, as is the lengths to which the director would go in order that he got the shot or reaction from actors he wanted.

Conclusion

Linda Blair is simply brilliant as she goes from innocent child to possessed vessel of satan, and delivers both sweet and abusive lines with equal skill. The fact this is an ordinary and such a young kid undergoing a traumatic ordeal makes the whole film so much more powerful. And the sheer desperation shown by her mother is backed up by a fine performance from Ellen Burstyn. This is before Max von Sydow and Jason Miller get in the frame, who are both simply superb as the exorcist and anxiety stricken priest.

This is based on a true story, but don`t let that put you off, and speaking as if from anything an anti-religious stand point, I still found much that sent my pulse racing in The Exorcist. It is a remarkable telling of a classic horror tale, which shows little of its age beyond the clothing of the time.

One of the best classic horror movies of all time, excellently remastered video and audio, and more features than you can shake a crucifix at, this is a must have for everyone but the total scardy cats amongst you.