Awesome, awesome, awesome. That’s the word to describe Warner Bros. planned special edition of THE EXORCIST, which it will release on Blu-Ray in October (yes, October just got even cooler). If you were worried, as I was, that they’d only come out with the re-released version from a decade ago, set those concerns aside, because they’re going to give you both the original 1973 and the 2000 versions.
Both the extended director’s cut and the theatrical version of this 1973 horror masterpiece will be remastered from the original camera negative. Three new documentaries, produced by acclaimed documentarian Laurent Bouzereau, are also included exclusively in the Blu-ray edition.
Disc 1: – Extended Director’s Cut (2000) plus Special Features
– Commentary by William Friedkin
– Raising Hell: Filming the Exorcist – set footage produced and photographed by Owen Roizman, camera and makeup tests, and interviews with director William Friedkin, actress Linda Blair, author/screenwriter/producer William Peter Blatty and Owen Roizman (new; Blu-ray exclusive)
– The Exorcist Locations: Georgetown Then and Now – Featuring a tour of the iconic locations where the film was shot (new; Blu-ray exclusive)
– Faces of Evil: The Different Versions of The Exorcist – with director William Friedkin and author/screenwriter/producer William Peter Blatty discussing the different versions of the film and featuring outtakes from the film (new; Blu-ray exclusive)
– Trailers, TV spots & radio spots from the film’s 2000 release
Disc 2 – Theatrical Cut (1973) plus Special Features
– Introduction by William Friedkin
– Commentaries:
William Friedkin
William Peter Blatty with Special Sound Effects Tests
– The Fear of God: 25 Years of The Exorcist [1998 BBC documentary]
– Additional interviews with William Friedkin and William Peter Blatty:
– The Original Cut
– Stairway to Heaven
– The Final Reckoning
– Original ending
– Sketches & storyboards
– Trailers & TV spots from the 1973 version
I don’t “double dip” too often, just when it’s a no-doubter. This is one of those times… THE EXORCIST Blu-Ray hits the streets on OCTOBER 5th.