The Exorcist, re-cut version-Dun Laoghaire Horrorfest

faceman

Any of you go see any films in the Horrorfest in Dun Laoghaire? I won a t-shirt! Fair play to the organisers, good show!!

I nerdified myself by watching Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Exorcist back to back there last night.

I love the Exorcist flick, its one of my favourite films. Maybe Im being controversial, but i believe its a very good example of plot progression for any genre.

However, the version screen last night was actually the DVD (i was really hoping the had the film reels that were realised in the 90's.) The DVD was the "version you havent seen". Despite the fact im a big fan (on a mark kermode level), i havent watched that dvd (altho i have the deleted scenes on a seperate disc)

I fail to believe Bill friedkin approved that cut for the dvd. It contradicts many of the things he said in interviews and particularly his debate with kermode organised with the author, william peter blatty.

The extra hospital scene at the start made no sense, and was out of sync with the flow of the film. The additional scene with karras's mother contradicted the scene of the party where mcneil is told his mother died a few days previous.

Anyway, my major beef with the extra cut was the insertion of CGI. One of the original films credit was the lack of CGI (it was 1973 afterall). The flash frames of the demon's face were perfect in the original cut as they were never expected and added to the tension but FFS, the version last nite had a CGI insertion of demonic faces what felt like every scene for the first half of the film!!! You eventually expected them!

The spider walk scene had the insertion of blood dripping from regan's mouth instead of the tongue extension. Didnt fit with the film, altho i never really like the spider walk scene anyway as it took away from the impact of denning's death.

Anywho im probably rabbiting now but i still believe that the crucifix scene remains a very powerful scene and an excellent example of plot progression.

One final recommendation, if you like horror novels, blatty's original novel is a damn good read and disturbing in parts which is something very few horror writers can do.

Anyway, what are your opinions on the film and the re-cut?

film_gonzo

That's what I was wondering about these screenings, are they dvds or actual prints (digital or 35mm Reels)? Was gonna go see Gremlins today but had to come home to work on my costume.

faceman

some are dvds and some are 35mm.