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Idea & Info: The Exorcist (Original Theatrical Release)

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Have any of you ever thought about doing a restoration of this classic? I have the Blu-ray two disc digi book release and it looks very good minus the blue tint in the exorcism scene at the end and a quick bit of CGI during the jump cut when the priest flings himself out the window. I was eight when the movie was released so I can’t really comment on the audio portion of the Blu-ray. I’ve only seen the movie in home video releases, VHS, DVD…

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This was released at one point.  I've got it.  It's wonderful.  

The mono track is just terrific too.  Made the film much more authentic, scary, and enjoyable.

I should say it's not without faults: the person who did this did add their own credit to the titles and credits in a way I find a bit obtrusive.  

They did restore the red WB logo too...which is a HUGE plus in my book.

“Alright twinkle-toes, what’s your exit strategy?”

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I have that but the MKV version, and it didn't compress very well.  Did the Dr. release a Blu Ray version?

Did you not find the green tint a bit too much?

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borisanddoris said:


<a href="http://www.fanedit.org/forums/content.php?737-The-Exorcist-40th-Anniversary-Preservation-by-Dr-Sapirstein">This</a> was released at one point.  I've got it.  It's wonderful.  

The mono track is just terrific too.  Made the film much more authentic, scary, and enjoyable.

I should say it's not without faults: the person who did this did add their own credit to the titles and credits in a way I find a bit obtrusive.  

They did restore the red WB logo too...which is a HUGE plus in my book.



Thank you for the link. I'm not aware of this work.

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I would love to have the new/current Blu-Ray, as is, but changing the ending (epilogue) to match the theatrical. Personally I feel ALL of the extra scenes (and the aggressive sound mix) benefit the film UNTIL the epilogue, where the stuff is a mood killer and just too boring. It's unneeded. 

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borisanddoris said:

This was released at one point.  I've got it.  It's wonderful.  

The mono track is just terrific too.  Made the film much more authentic, scary, and enjoyable.

I should say it's not without faults: the person who did this did add their own credit to the titles and credits in a way I find a bit obtrusive.  

They did restore the red WB logo too...which is a HUGE plus in my book.

Sad to know that the Dr. slapped his name all over copyrighted material like that.  Seems he's got a bit of an ego.  It may cost him someday if he isn't careful.

 

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Matt_Stevens said:

I would love to have the new/current Blu-Ray, as is, but changing the ending (epilogue) to match the theatrical. Personally I feel ALL of the extra scenes (and the aggressive sound mix) benefit the film UNTIL the epilogue, where the stuff is a mood killer and just too boring. It's unneeded. 

Are you talking about this release Matt?

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Exorcist-Blu-ray/57331/

I have this but it is still unopened, I want my Son to see it lol, he said nothing is scary and I wanted him to see this classic, also where exactly would you edit the extended back to the Theatrical? this actually could be a very easy edit.

 

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dark_jedi said:

Matt_Stevens said:

I would love to have the new/current Blu-Ray, as is, but changing the ending (epilogue) to match the theatrical. Personally I feel ALL of the extra scenes (and the aggressive sound mix) benefit the film UNTIL the epilogue, where the stuff is a mood killer and just too boring. It's unneeded. 

Are you talking about this release Matt?

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Exorcist-Blu-ray/57331/

I have this but it is still unopened, I want my Son to see it lol, he said nothing is scary and I wanted him to see this classic, also where exactly would you edit the extended back to the Theatrical? this actually could be a very easy edit.

 

If you're not "made of money" you should definitely go for this Region Free version:

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Exorcist-Blu-ray/68275/

 

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stretch009 said:

dark_jedi said:

Matt_Stevens said:

I would love to have the new/current Blu-Ray, as is, but changing the ending (epilogue) to match the theatrical. Personally I feel ALL of the extra scenes (and the aggressive sound mix) benefit the film UNTIL the epilogue, where the stuff is a mood killer and just too boring. It's unneeded. 

Are you talking about this release Matt?

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Exorcist-Blu-ray/57331/

I have this but it is still unopened, I want my Son to see it lol, he said nothing is scary and I wanted him to see this classic, also where exactly would you edit the extended back to the Theatrical? this actually could be a very easy edit.

 

If you're not "made of money" you should definitely go for this Region Free version:

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Exorcist-Blu-ray/68275/

 

What is this version better? and if so how is this release better then the 40th Anniversary BD?

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dark_jedi said:

stretch009 said:

dark_jedi said:

Matt_Stevens said:

I would love to have the new/current Blu-Ray, as is, but changing the ending (epilogue) to match the theatrical. Personally I feel ALL of the extra scenes (and the aggressive sound mix) benefit the film UNTIL the epilogue, where the stuff is a mood killer and just too boring. It's unneeded. 

Are you talking about this release Matt?

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Exorcist-Blu-ray/57331/

I have this but it is still unopened, I want my Son to see it lol, he said nothing is scary and I wanted him to see this classic, also where exactly would you edit the extended back to the Theatrical? this actually could be a very easy edit.

 

If you're not "made of money" you should definitely go for this Region Free version:

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Exorcist-Blu-ray/68275/

 

What is version better?

That's a good question.  I'm not sure what the differences are with the special features but for me all I really care about are the movies themselves.  The Theatrical and Director's cuts should be the same on both of them.

Edit:   I'm definitely not saying the UK one is better it's just got what I want and for a much lower price.

 

 

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NeonBible said:

I have that but the MKV version, and it didn't compress very well.  Did the Dr. release a Blu Ray version?

Did you not find the green tint a bit too much?

I think a Blu-ray may have come out, but I couldn't find it.  Yeah, compression was an issue on my nearly 12' common height screen.  Watchable?  Sure.

I'm no color expert, especially on this film, but I found the experience enjoyable.

 

“Alright twinkle-toes, what’s your exit strategy?”

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FYI i do own the original DVD releases (except for the extended cut, that was awful) 

 

It's this one complete with Red WB logo and Stereo soundtrack

http://www.amazon.com/The-Exorcist-Ellen-Burstyn/dp/0790729385/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1384936993&sr=8-10&keywords=exorcist+dvd

 

Here are the specs from dvdcompare.net

R1 America - Warner Home Video

  • Extras:
    Cast and crew biographies
    Production notes
    Awards list
    Theatrical trailer
  • Subtitles:
    English, French and Spanish
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.78:1
  • Picture Format:
    Non-Anamorphic
  • TV System:
    NTSC
  • Soundtrack(s):
    English Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
    French Dolby Digital 1.0
  • Case type:
    Keep Case
  • Notes:
    Also contains a Fullscreen version.
    This edition is now OOP.
  •  

     

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     (Edited)

    I have the same DVD from 1997. It's still my favourite version to watch however there is slight cropping compared to the BD release.

    I haven't watched the Dr Sapirstein fanedit all the way through yet and on paper it should be the best version out there. But having flicked through, I found the green tint a bit off putting.  However when comparing these 3 releases side by side the blue tint on the BD appears just as extreme as the green.

    Perhaps there is a potential project for maintaining the more naturalistic colour timing of the 1997 DVD (and VHS?) release whilst getting HD and the most picture information as possible from the BD.  Also restore the WB logo, jump cut of Karras' face and original theatrical mono.

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    There is no evidence or sources beyond this faneditor's word that suggest The Exorcist ever had a green tint of any kind. I'd welcome a version that had the original DVD colours in the exorcism scene and jump-cut restored.

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    All the Blu-Rays are from the same master, which is of the highest quality. They did a 4k scan and the cinematographer was heavily involved all the way through. The director was also in the editing room for the sound remix. 

    This Blu-Ray actually removes a few of the digital tweaks that were added to the Extended version, since they (the director and dp) felt they had gone a little too far with the extended cut tweaks. 

    The problem with the theatrical version is that its sound remix is not as robust as the Extended version, which is just sensational. It's not a stupid hack job (like The Terminator or Superman The Movie) and you guys know how picky I am. 

    If the film were only simple stereo I would go ahead and do my own version, but alas, it's 5.1 and I have no idea how to deal with that. 

    The color grading seems fine to me. Nothing objectionable.

    All I object to is the Extended version having a way way too over extended epilogue that goes on forever with no rhyme or reason for being there, unlike the rest of the added footage, which added to the sense of dread.

    By the way, when I saw the Director's Cut in a theater the teens in the audience were laughing throughout and making fun of the film. I had to get up out of my seat and tell them to shut their ****ing mouths. When they refused I told them to get out or I'd have them escorted out. They got up and left. Young people will not find this film scary. They are far too desensitized. 

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    disclord on LDDb claims that the 5.1 audio on the 1997 DVD is the original 70mm mix. Does the Blu-ray use this?

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    I have the old flipper DVD, with the film on one side and the extras on the other. No idea what year it is from. It's also in storage so I can't really check right now.

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    That's the later 2001 release which contains the modified version of the theatrical cut (new Warner logo, morph face).

    The old 1997 DVD has Widescreen on one side and P&S on the other.  Funny thing is that WS has DD 2.0 while P&S has 5.1! Would be good to know if it is indeed the 70mm mix.

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    WTF! 5.1 for the P&S scrowd, oh joy. I'll check and see if I have the earlier version. I may.

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    Hmm wait, I can't find details about the 5.1 track on P&S, but I'm sure I've read it somewhere.  Never checked myself because I was happy listening to the 1979 Stereo. But if the 5.1 track is from the 70mm mix then I may be more interested.  I can confirm when I get home.

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    Well I've just checked my copy and the P&S side does have a 5.1 track! How funny. But whether it is the 70mm mix, how do we tell?

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    The first DVD was released in 1997... that was the flipper with a 2.0 track on one side and a 5.1 track on the other as you guys said.  Now I have the 25th Anniversary DVD from 1998 and it has only a 5.1 track in English.  My understanding is that Friedkin supervised that mix.  So does that mean that the original 5.1 track from the 1997 P&S side is different than the subsequent 5.1 track from the 25th Anniversary disc?  It would have to be, right?  Then the "version you've never seen before" sports a brand new robust mix different from all previous of course.  So there's a bunch of mixes for this film.  I assume the laserdisc must have the best mono or stereo.  Did they introduce new sound effects for the director's cut only, or did they introduce new effects all the way back in 1998 for the 25th Anniversary?
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    They introduced the new sound effects for the DC IIRC

    I had the 25th Ann DVD and had watched it quite a few times and remember that the 5.1 mix wasn't that active. the DC though all sorts of things going on in the speakers. I remember comparing them but that was a long time ago

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    So if you're more of a purist from a color-timing and original soundtrack point of view, the 25 Anniversary DVD ain't half bad.  You get the right color and a 5.1 track supervised by the director which does not introduce any new elements that might upset old school fans.  That's pretty good for a DVD and I think the image is damn good for a disc from 1998.  If a more robust soundtrack is offered on the director's cut that's great, but with this film I just have to stick with the original version.  I just don't like a lot of tampering with sound like they did on JAWS and Smokey and the Bandit.  I'm all for 5.1 if they do it right.  Sounds like Friedkin made sure the 25th Anniversary disc was for the most part, correct.