Customer Reviews

The Exorcist: The Complete Anthology (The Exorcist/ The Exorcist- Unrated/ The Exorcist II: The Heretic/ The Exorcist III/ The Exorcist: The Beginning/ The Exorcist: Dominion)

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

You can find this set for around $25 and for that price it's definitely worth it. True, the first one is the best (I prefer the original over the "Version You've Never Seen", but they're still both very good), but the third one isn't that bad (in fact, I think it's pretty good) And neither version of the prequel is good, but it is sort of neat to have two VERY different versions of the same film, and in this context, for comparing the power of editing and the how the perspective of a director can affect a movie, these discs are interesting. True, the second one has no merit, but what can you do? But I won't complain. It's good for a laugh.

Just so people know, this set does contain all the extras the other releases had. So that even sweetens the deal more!

Disc 1: The Exorcist
This is the same flipper disc from the original Special Edition release

Side A:
Intro and commentary by William Friedkin
Commentary by William Peter Blatty and Special Sound Effects Tests

Side B:
The Fear of God: The Making of the Exorcist
Interviews, Storyboards, Production Sketches
Original Ending
Theatrical Trailer
TV Spots

Disc 2: The Exorcist "The Version You've Never Seen"
Commentary by William Peter Blatty
Trailer, TV Spots and Raidio Spots

Disc 3: Exorcist II: The Heretic
Alternate Opening Sequence
Theatrical Trailer

Disc 4: Exorcist III
Theatrical Trailer

Disc 5: Exorcist: The Beginning
Commentary by Renny Harlin
Behind-the-scenes Featurette
Theatrical Trailer

Disc 6: Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist
Commentary by Paul Schrader
Additional Scenes
Stills Gallery

And there you have it. Everything is there. True, you could get just get the original for cheaper, but I still think this is a solid set and a great deal at that!

And a great start for horror newcomers as well! I've been a fan of horror movies for years and the original Exorcist was not only one of my first, but it became a personal favorite of mine. For many, it's not only the sheer frightfulness of it that made it such a good film (back in the 70's, anyways. Even my mom said it wasn't as scary today as it was back then), but it was what it made people think about as well. In a world where religion tends to be the prime concern of all people, exorcism began to drift out of the minds of many as well as many ideas behind Satanism and supernatural evils. This movie brought this line of thought back and in full force. What better way to watch these classics than to purchase such a great collection at a reasonable price?

Now onto separate quick movie critiques:

The Exorcist (Original and Director's Cut): The classic that started it all. There's not much here that needs to be said with a few exceptions. First off, if you have not yet seen this movie, prepare yourself to be possibly disturbed by some very grisly, disgusting and sickening scenes and visuals. Second, in the Director's Cut, there is a very graphic and bloody scene that was not included in the original. However, this is NOT the original version of the scene. The original footage was not all too believable and can be found on YouTube (search "Spider Walk Scene" and look for the original). And finally, again in the director's cut, watch closely for "subliminal" images, as I've seen them called before. Two hard to spot ones are he evil demon face in the stove hood when Mrs. MacNeil comes home and the power flickers and in the final exorcism scene, where in the window you can very briefly see Karass' mother. (5/5 stars to the original, 4.5/5 on the director's cut upon coming to understand issues the new scenes cause to the story's pacing)

The Exorcist II - The Heretic: Well, first thing that should be mentioned is that this story has some obvious continuity issues with the later prequels. I'll explain those differences in my reviews for those films, but the mistake involves the boy who was possessed in Merrin's past, in Africa. In this movie, it's a young black boy, (though I forget his name off the top of my head.) which is different in the prequels. Also, the story itself was kind of sub-par as were the visuals. The Exorcist actually looked believable with realistic special effects, but this one is fairly laughable. (2/5 stars)

The Exorcist III: I had my doubts about renting this at first, especially since I heard it wasn't too good of a movie and especially after seeing The Heretic it didn't seem too appealing. However, I couldn't have been more wrong. The story continues what happens years after the original Exorcist in an often overlooked sequel. However, the movie does include some incredible shocks and excellent plot twists. The movie is graphic in a subtle way and usually, more often than not, verbally not visually when the killer is describing his killings. Also, the visual effects during this scene are amazing. It's hard to tell that the person who the killer is possessing's face is changing into that of the killer's. (4.5/5 stars)

The Exorcist - The Beginning: This movie is hard to critique, really. The story is actually fairly well done, though there are many differences between this movie and, not only the originals, but in the other version of the prequel, Dominion. Also, instead of the young black boy being possessed (though it DOES appear he is) it is the nurse instead and the very last scene is like a poor ripoff of the original movie's final scene. Also it should be noted that the movie is often times just a gruesome bloodfest, unlike the older movies which tended to go more along subtle violence in attempts to disturb the viewers. (3/5 Stars)

Dominion - Prequel to The Exorcist: This movie is a much better version of the other prequel. In story, at least. Yes, the visuals ARE rather lacking. However, this is simply due to a lack of Warner Brothers trying to make it look better. This was clearly the raw footage that wasn't even fixed up to look nice. However, there is much less violence, blood and gore, which is instead replaced by much more psychological themes that make the story perhaps even better than the original in it's own way. The person possessed in this film was a retarded man who was rejected by his home village. Also in this movie, Pazuzu looks much different and, in my opinion, much more ominous. (4/5 stars for poor visuals)

Final Word: If you like horror, or even if you're just an avid movie goer, this collection is a must, or at least the original and the second sequel. For other very well made horror movies, I recommend Nightmare on Elm Street, Texas Chainsaw Massacre (the original one that was actually disturbing) and Rosemary's Baby, which also have a very Satan vs. God kind of theme.

**** 4.5 stars out of 5 ****

EDIT: Touched up some spelling and scores and would also like to point out, regarding my comment that The Heretic was rather laughable, it was actually laughed at during the premiere with the audience actually throwing stuff at the screen. So much for the as-of-then biggest production put out by Warner Brothers!

Here it is, the definitive complete collection of 'The Exorcist' in a nicely done cardboard cover containing four DVD's in individual plastic snap cases, just the way you like it.

Reasons for Buying:
1- You don't have the complete set yet so you might as well.
2- The cover art on the first disc is different than the original cover of `The Exorcist I' so you simply have to have it.
3- The first three films were released in the old cardboard snap cases while the next two came out in the plastic snap keepcases that can be replaced if damaged. (That's my reason, I'm a little anal and like everything to match).
4- The price is right, for less than $10.00 a disc who needs a reason.

These movies were great to watch again and built me up to see the new one in the Theatre "The Last Exorcism", yeah right, they will becoming out with the Exorcism after the Last Exorcism.

The DVDs were at a fair and reasonable soct and showed up in great condition and shockingly showed up in 2 days and in new condition. They were well packaged so nothing could happen to them if they fell off a roof in the packing box.

Thank you to the shippers

This is a great deal! There is something about owning the collection as opposed to just buying the first movie. I believe this is a set for true Exorcist fans from over the years.
The first movie: The Exorcist, in my opinion, is one of the scariest horror films ever made.
The Exorcist II, is not a great sequel but worth owning as part of the collection set. It's worth watching at least once to know where they intended to go with the film/story.
The Exorcist III, is one of the better films, although nothing much to do with the original, it stands well on its own.
The last two, The Beginning and The Dominion, are okay movies that have alternate endings.
For those who love the original, note the others are nothing in comparison, but a worthwhile set and collection.
Hint Hint... great collection for Halloween.

I was pleasantly surprised to find all of the movies together and for one low price. They came in a timely manner, and in perfect condition. I was also surprised to find out that there were two Number 4 versions of the movie. One of them I had not seen. Amazon comes through as usual.

I would highly recommend buying this anthology to anyone who is an ardent "Exorcist" fan. The price is an absolute steal too! First off, the original film contains both versions of the film. You get the original theatrical version from 1973 (plus digitally remastered), and also you get the 2000 re-release "The Version You've Never Seen Before". Not to mention various bonus and extras including the BBC documentary never aired in the United States. You also get "The Exorcist II: The Heretic" which is good for the cinematography and...of coarse...a hot seventeen year old Linda Blair!!! LOL! You also get "The Exorcist III: The Legion" which was not a bad movie, if you can comprehend that William Peter Blatty "DID NOT" intend for this to be an actual sequel to the original Exorcist film. It was supposed to be a separate story that included characters and the Georgetown setting of the original film, that's all. It was the studio that forced this to be released as an Exorcist sequel. Then finally, you get both versions of the prequel. To be honest, I found both versions to be decent films in themselves. For the price and for a true die hard Exorcist fan, you should not pass up on this collection. It's well worth it!

Love this set it has all 6 movies. The package is neat. This movie is really scary and the special effects were great. There are just some movies you watch once and get bored and I have watched these movies many times and I can watch it again and again it will still be just as scary and fun as the first time I saw it. I still like to have some one else in the room with me though.

Absolutelly necessary in every sense of the word. A juicy compilation for hard-core fans, curious dark-films watchers and of course everyone interested in the evolution of terror cinema.

The exorcist is the best movie I've ever seen. It's a master piece.
I know that it doesn't have the effects of the modernism of Hollywood, but just the necessary effects are present in this terror movie that can move the nerves of everyone.
This pack, includes all the sequels of the original (1973), which personally I consider is the best.
It's necessary to have critic sense to enjoy this movie as it is, otherwise you will feel like a nightmare during the night, as soon as you get asleep.
This movies are not for everyone, but if you like terror, this is the movie for you.

I wanted it in spanish too, but even it says so here in the website, it doesn't include spanish as audio language.
My wife and me are native spanish speakers and she doesn't know about english, so I've to get it in spanish in a local store too.