logo Sign In

Idea: How about an 'Exorcist 2: The Heretic' fan edit?

Author
Time
 (Edited)

I just bought Exorcist 2: The Heretic at Wal Mart the other day. I’ve seen the film many times with both endings and it’s always facinated me. It’s a pretty terrible film, but there’s a grain of a great film in it. I guess the question would be to those who have seen it, what do you think needs to be cut, rearranged, etc. ? I know for a fact, I’d cut the initial exorcism scene and the Linda Blair tap dance scene from the beginning. I’d probably start the film with Richard Burton speaking with the Cardinal and leave the therapist scene lead into Burton’s arrival at the autistic children’s place. It’s a shame you couldn’t have Linda Blair’s introduction in the film come when she runs into Burton for the first time. It’s a good moment. Anyway, what do y’all think?

Author
Time
there are already two official cuts to this film: the us and the European Cut.

See imdb for the differences.
Author
Time
Yeah, I know. The US DVD has the original, untampered with cut. I guess I was thinking of either trying to restore the mass release (shorter) US cut or further trying to, um, "de-assify" it further through even more editing. Eh, it was a thought.
Author
Time
Does someone have this ending?

" The infamous ending of course, has Burton dying, insted of living, and Blair and Fletcher just looking at eachother with artificial looks of grief on their faces."

"an alternate ending where Richard Burton's character is killed (In the original version, he runs off with Regan to help her be a force of good). "

Same Make. Same Model. New Mission.

Author
Time
Now, I've seen this ending. A friend of mine came into an original print of The Heretic when a local Film Depot shut down. It's the original, untampered with cut until the last reel. The last reel has the Burton dies ending. I occurs to me that just the last reel was replaced for the US release (makes sense since it would be cost prohibitive to restrike all the prints), and the extensive recut was for the Euro market and TV.

I'd never seen the VHS release and I only saw glimpses of the movie on broadcast TV, which I why I thought the versions were similar, save for the ending.
Author
Time
This is the list form IMDB

The infamous cut version of "Exorcist II: The Heretic" Had numerous changes to it. These changes are:
A faster re-working of the theme is featured, with a base rhythm similar to that in Richard Burton's "Stoning" scene.
An introduction with narration by Burton and stills from both movies is shown; a shot of Burton climbing the steps to the chapel in the opening scene is added as well.
In the opening, Burton's touching of Merrin's picture is cut. The "tap-dancing" scene with Linda Blair had been completely cut.
Just about all conversation between Burton and the cardinal has been cut which makes the films subtitle all the more meaningless.)
In the hypnosis scene, Burton says, "I know where she is" in refference to the palpitating Fletcher. This line is cut, and only the next part, "Help me to find her" is heard.
The whole hypnosis scene which a flashback is seen is mercifully edited. Burton's line of "Horrible ...and fascinating is cut to just "horrible".
There are more voice overs of, "we're flying"
A few lines are cut when Blair talks with the autistic girl.
The churchtop communion scene is almost completely cut as well, leaving you confused about the people and knowing about the dead body. Alot of snippets are edited as well- Fletcher with the children; Kitty Winn's bad language; Burton's incoherent line "She is Mine!"; Kitty Winn's line, "Someone is dying"; and the scene in the bus when Burton tells the bus driver that Reagan has got to get home, and a few others.
The line "Let me reach you", spoken by Blair, is dubbed out.
There is more stock footage to be seen when Linda Blair enters her old bedroom, Stock footage of her yelling "Fill It UP!" from the first film (though not in the first films theatrical release!)and a face dissolving scene with blair in black lipstick.
The Line, "Be joind with us father" has been completely cut.
The next three or four scenes have been mixed around as well, leaving the scene with Fletcher yelling "HELP" edited out.
The infamous ending of course, has Burton dying, insted of living, and Blair and Fletcher just looking at eachother with artificial looks of grief on their faces.
And Last, The end credit theme is diffrent, being a rock song instead of a slow melodic song.

Same Make. Same Model. New Mission.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

Well, I have “The Heretic” An Exorcist II Fanedit that will be available by the end of next week. It removes approx. 27 minutes of the movie, adds Tubular Bells and some other stuff. On my instagram (@callmetheeditor) you can see about the progress and a little bit detailed about it. 😃