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The Exorcist: The Version You've Never Seen
This monkeyed-up 2000 version of the classic 1973 The Exorcist features 10 minutes of mostly undistinguished additional footage that neither adds nor considerably detracts from one of the great movie-watching experiences. Silly new special effects aside, The Exorcist is a marvel of complex narrative, skillfully balanced tensions, and inimitable atmosphere — and also boldly bridges the usual gap between shlocky horror fare and serious drama. The cast is impeccable, from young Linda Blair to venerable Max Von Sydow. Warner's disc makes a nice special feature for serious fans, but the 1998 25th Anniversary DVD is still the definitive version. Good anamorphic transfer (1.85:1), DD 5.1 or Dolby 2.0 Surround. Includes a new commentary by Friedkin, which addresses the changes but also covers a lot of the same ground as his 1998 commentary. Trailers, snap-case.
—Gregory P. Dorr
