Raised Catholic, few films have the ability to scare me like movies that deal with demonic possession or damnation. For the same reason why YouTube videos of reported exorcisms still give me goosebumps, The Exorcist remains one of the scariest films I have ever seen.
On October 5, The Exorcist will finally be released on Blu-ray in a two-disc Digibook edition.
Each copy of The Exorcist will come with a 40-page booklet which includes a personal letter written by William Friedkin, director of the film. In addition, both the extended and original theatrical cuts of the films will be included — both remastered from the original camera negative.
Special features will include three new features by acclaimed documentarian Laurent Bouzereau. Full supplemental material is as follows:
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
Whether you grew up watching Linda Blair masturbate with a crucifix or you’ve never seen the original film, now is your chance to watch The Exorcist — whichever version catches your fancy — in what I’m sure will be a pristine quality presentation.
