The Exorcist (1973)

Overview
Review

The Exorcist © Warner Bros.. All Rights Reserved.

Purchase Blu-ray | Digital HD

Director:	William Friedkin
Writers:	William Peter Blatty
Cast:	Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair, Lee J. Cobb, Kitty Winn
Released:	Wednesday, December 26, 1973
Length:	114 minutes
Studio:	Warner Bros.
Genre:	Horror, Drama/Suspense
Rating:	Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Synopsis

The frightening and realistic tale of an innocent girl inhabited by a terrifying entity, her mother's frantic resolve to save her and two priests--one doubt-ridden, the other a rock of faith--joined in battling ultimate evil always leaves viewers breathless. This greatest supernatural thriller of all time astonishes and unsettles like no other movie.

Purchase your copy of The Exorcist today at

Download The Exorcist in Digital HD from the iTunes store.

The Exorcist Blu-ray Review

The Exorcist is quite possibly the scariest movie of all time. It would be hard pressed to find those out there who feel differently. Even if that were the case they would at least have to acknowledge the fact that it set the bar for what horror is about. The movie itself isn't just gore and splatter on the screen. It brings also a sense of tension and suspense that is so necessary in any horror or thriller movie. For those of you who don't know or haven't seen it, the movie is about a young girl who begins experiencing strange outbursts and odd behavior. Her mother at first brings her to a doctor to try and find a medical cure. Obviously that doesn't work and as her daughter becomes increasingly more violent her mother begins to turn to other means for a cure. She enlists the help of two priests who determine that the girl is possessed and so they embark on the most difficult exorcism of their lives.

Just recently this classic gem of a movie got released on Blu-ray and of course it got the star treatment. Now normally Blu-ray enhances picture and sound quality and while that is certainly the case with this movie's score, it isn't quite so with the picture. True, it does look quite sharp and cleaned up, but viewers should be aware that this movie was shot back in the 70's and no matter how much you clean up a movie there is going to be a certain "dated" look that can never wash away.

That being said let us not be too wary, because there are an excellent number of bonus features spread out over two discs for any avid fan to sink their teeth into. On the first disc we have a new three part documentary on the movie's production and legacy. The parts are as titled: Filming the Exorcist, The Exorcist Locations and Faces of Evil: Different Versions of The Exorcist. Also on that first disc is the extended directors cut of the movie with a commentary feature by the director. Over on disc two we have the original version featuring two commentaries; one with the director William Friedkin and the other with producer/screenwriter William Peter Blatty. There is also a feature length documentary called "The Fear of God: The Making of The Exorcist" from 1998. Lastly there is a photo gallery covering topics: the original ending, the final reckoning and stairway to heaven and also we can watch the original ending.

Obviously any fan of horror or fan of this movie would be foolish not to pick up this excellent treasure piece. Not only will you own a classic piece of film but you will be reminded, when watching, what a good movie looks like.

-- Chris Rebholz

For more reviews please visit our film/television review section.