OK, I would say this is the worst movie ever, but Blade Runner, A Clockwork Orange and In The Name of the King have those titles. There is no background for the old guy in the beginning. We don't know why the demon selected this particular child. The younger priest that first meets the possessed chick doesn't even try to do it himself first before bringing in the other guy (again, no real explanation). The self sacrifice at the end is empty and really didn't have any value (they left nothing behind as far as we know). The detective is a joke, provides absolutely no value to the story. Only watch if you enjoy movies that provide absolutely no entertainment value.

It's still a frightening movie, but I used it as an example of the "old
way" of thinking of demonic possession. Theology has preogressed a lot since the movie came out.

I read the DVD review that stated that the scene between Lt. Kinderman and Fr. Dyer was not in the original film and that devotees of the film found this added scene as altering the film. I saw the film when it was originally released as a college student and the scene was in the original film. When I got my copy of the film when it was first released on VHS the scene was missing. This scene was restored in this version--not added. What I do not remember about the film when it originally played in theaters is whether Father Dyer handed back the medal to Mrs. McNeil or whether it was her just handing it back to him. Sorry, I usually don't write reviews but I couldn't let this error about the Kinderman-Dyer scene go uncorrected.

If you actually believe in real exorcisms, and possesions, then this movie will keep you shaking for weeks. It's traumatizing. Although terrifying, it's also a great movie. I don't even like to watch scary movies, but this one is one I love to have in my collection.

VIDEO CASSETEE, " THE EXORCIST" THE VERSION NEVER SEEN BEFORE"

VERY REALISTIC, FIRST MOVIE OF IT'S TIME, MOST DISTURBING, AND VERY GRAPHIC LANGUAGE. NO OTHER HORROR MOVIE COMPARES, THAT IS, IF YOU COULD KEEP FROM TURNING AWAY!

IT WILL KEEP YOU UP AT NIGHT WONDERING COULD THIS EVER HAPPEN TO ME?

Want some fear? This is the movie for you. The music will haunt you for the rest of your life.

All time great thriller. I can watch over and over and still get goosebumps. One thing, did not like the actress who played the mother, they could have got someone better. Max Von Sydow a favorite of mine. See him in "The Night Visitor". The locations in Exorcist are great. Maybe silly but would like to visit the house. This movie a milestone for others to try and copy aspects of it. Never will go out of date.

The Exorcist - The Version You've Never Seen is also the version you probably shouldn't have, adding almost nothing to a fine original but running time, some clumsy additional `subliminal' images digitally grafted on with all the subtlety of a 1980s New Romantic music video and a poor new sound mix that adds music cues and sound effects far less effective than the original mix. Most of the restored footage is taken up by an extended additional medical tests sequence that feels a little out of place since Regan hasn't been acting particularly oddly at that point in the film, as well as the odd bit of padding in the run-up to the exorcism and a redundant scene of Karras listening to a tape recording of a pre-possession Regan. Worst of the new additions by far is the infamous spider walk, a scene abandoned during shooting and here accounting for two rather laughable shots that take the film too far too soon. Other additions are somewhat more esoteric - a brief pretitle shot of the Georgetown house and street, Father Dyer keeping the St Christopher at the end after Chris hands it back and the disastrous addition of a screeching airplane sound effect in the segue from Iraq to Georgetown that makes you think Pazuzu must have travelled to Washington by Pan-Am (although this does echo Lalo Schifrin's far more effective rejected scoring for the sequence).

What's most curious is what's still missing: despite including the weak Hollywood ending with Kinderman and Father Dyer, the exchange with Chris over whether she still doesn't believe in God is gone. The big bone of contention between Blatty and Friedkin, the idea that if you believe in the Devil because of all the terrible things that happen, you must also believe in a God even if he, unlike the horned one, doesn't advertise, seems the only justification for extending the section at all, but as if to spite the writer it's still pointedly removed. Only the brief discussion about the Devil's motives for possessing Regan in a break in the exorcism feels like it adds any substance to the proceedings (although it could be said the possession is more disturbingly arbitrary if left unexplained), the rest being motivated purely by the need for a marketing hook to secure a US reissue.

The end result is a film that feels much longer and slower but still eventually grips. Aside from the overlength, the strengths and weaknesses are much the same: the at times almost documentary style of film-making grounds the events in a recognisable real world, the shock effects are fairly sparingly used and only after a long build-up, the characters well-drawn and their despair convincing: the real horror in the film doesn't reside in its special effects or horrific set pieces, but in a mother's anguish over being powerless to help her child.

Few extras, but the widescreen transfer is good.

To coincide with the re-release of this movie on DVD with all the extras, and the now-famous "Spider-Walk" scene, The Exorcist was shown again in movie theaters at the time. My Wife and Son and I were treated to an interesting experience during the movie; AN EARTHQUAKE! It was not a major one, but that along with the movie being as scary as it was, almost half the people in the theater walked out, and you could hear some of them saying things like "I can't handle this", "this is too much", "I'm gonna have a heart attack". I must admit it was a bit overwhelming, but I felt like I got my money's worth even if the Earthquake was not a special effect dreamt up by the theater or the producers of the film. (i.e. the vibrating seats during "The Tingler").
WHAT A RIDE!!! The only thing that would have made this movie scarier is if Alfred Hitchcock had directed it. I recently read that he was more than a little interested, and even tried to secure the rights to it. Who could've handled a film that scary? Not Me.

Why has The Exorcist become one of the most well known, influential, and important horror films of all time? I'll tell you why......because it had a very healthy budget and pushed the envelope. Two things that usually don't co-exist together in film. When The Exorcist was screened in the seventies people were literally throwing up at the theatre. How many films can you say that about that come out now? None! Coincidence? I think not! People in the film business now have this notion that you cant be professional and have extreme elements at the same time, and that's exactly the problem. Nobody will finance films like this anymore, that's why the 70's kicked a** and why horror films stink now. The Exorcist is disturbing, evil, dark, extreme, and professional. It's everything a horror film should be, and nothing like the films made nowadays. The main theme here is good vs. evil, and even if you dont normally have any religous beliefs......you will while watching The Exorcist.

Scariest movie ever made because its fear stems from the Bible. Max von Sydow is the exorcist. This guy turned up everywhere! He frees a young girl possessed by a demon. I lived my own version. I got in with Jesus freaks after the Army. We spoke in tongues and went to a Pentecostal Church. One night at church, we thought a 15-year-old girl was possessed by a demon. I threw her down and tried to cast it out. I recall Blatty appearing with Johnny Carson. He acted as if the incident were factual. In saner times, we understand that The Exorcist was only a made-up horror movie. I wonder how Linda Blair has managed to live with it.

This film remains one of the most terrifying films ever made. To date, it's hard to think of another movie that comes close to this horror masterpiece.

Friedkin's scare flick still has legs--thirty-plus years later. Get it. The making-of doc is interesting.

I thought some of the dialogue Detective Kinderman had to say (liking to go to movies and discus same) just didn't sit right. Also, the idea that Regan's mom was an actress (in a movie) didn't fly with me...but other than that, the film works--all the way. Cobb, Burstyn, Jason Miller, Linda Blair...et al...make for a solid cast.

I think William Friedkin is one of the finest directors around, if not the best, when it comes to creating atmosphere and using extras.

Lastly, if you're the religious type and believe in demons...you just may want to stay clear of this fright classic.

There's few horror films that you can return to, and still find something genuinely frightening each time. One exception, is 1973's "The Exorcist", based on the best selling novel by William Peter Blatty (who directed and wrote "The Exorcist III based on his novel "Legion," which represents the true sequel to the original novel). In this film, William Friedkin directs with a terse, methodical approach, which lends the film an aura of authenticity, despite its outlandish theme. But as fans of the novel and film know well, Blatty's novel is based on one of the few documented cases of demonic possession, which occurred in Georgetown in the 1940's.

Okay, so what makes this movie so frightening to most. Friedkin provides a nice introduction to the film in the 1998 DVD release, which is not included on "The version you've never seen." In that introduction, Friedkin accurately explains that people take from "The Exorcist" what they choose. If you see the world as a dark and evil place, Friedkin notes, then you will focus on those elements, but if you believe that a force of goodness exists to combat the evils of this world, then you will take what the filmmakers wanted you to leave with--a feeling of hope, and faith that goodness can prevail against evil, no matter how sinister in nature.

Most of those reading this review may have some notion about the focus of this film. In a nutshell, a young girl (Linda Blair) is possessed by an ancient demon (who claims to be the devil), and two priests (one faltering in his faith, and the other old and feeble), join forces to compell the spirit to leave the child's body. The acting is supurb by all those involved. Jason Miller, Max Von Sydow, Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, and Lee J Cobb are so convincing, that every word they utter rings true. Honestly, there's not a bad performance in this entire cast, and the dialogue is simply fantastic. Freidkin is a skilled director, and the film has a documentary-like feel to it; and despite having Catholic priests (both real and acted) in the cast, the film is never didatic or panders to those who are ignorant and waiting for a cheap thrill.

"The Exorcist" remains the greastest horror movie of all time because it wasn't made for teenagers--like so many are today. This is a thinking person's movie. It's creepy in every aspect, but the most frightening scenes are those where you least expect it. For example, the sequence of hospital tests on the young girl are disturbing beyond anything that the demon might do. This film takes itself seriously, and we are drawn into the horror because everyone is convinced that this is real--this could really happen (and it supposedly did).

The words, "Could you help a poor Altat boy, father" are uttered by a homeless man in the subway. Father Karras (Jason Miller) encounters the man, and then turns his back on him, thereby turning his back on the impoverished humanity this homeless man is meant symbolize. Later, the demon utters these very same words to Karras...echoing the homeless man's words precisely. How did the demon know? Surely, the demon has the ability to see beyond the confines of Regans bedroom. Ah, it's the unanswered questions such as these that makes this film so intriguing. Watch it once, then watch it again...but always watch it after dark with the lights turned low. The sound is just as masterful as every other aspect of the film. This film is for adults only, of course, and I think even older teenagers aren't mature enough to understand the more subtle elements of horror here. Times have changed, and horror films have become increasingly violent and gory, but this wonderful film from 1973 has never been duplicated in the sheer amount of terror it delivers. I suspect that it will continue to haunt the minds of its viewers for years to come.

If the ultimate question in our life is, "is there life after death" and since this movie is based on actual cases of possessions of evil spirits then if you believe then this is a very important movie and answers that question. Yes at times its dated and a visual assault but is so intelligent, well made with excellent acting, shocking and highly religious. Remember this movie was nominated for 11 Oscars. How it did not win Best Picture is a disgrace (The Sting won, nice picture but not a classic like The Exorcist.) The Exorcist is 5 STARS.

This is one of my all time favorite films. I remember it when it was first released and still regard it highly as a brilliant piece of cinematic art. Even though I was glad to have the chance again to see it on the big screen, I wasn't all that thrilled with some of the additions. Even though I loved seeing the additional footage, I thought the subliminals and the added musical score took away from the uniqueness of the film. The ascetic way that Friedkin originally presented the film was one of the main reasons the film was so incredible and effective. The lack of musical score, and then when it was used, its esoteric nature, was one of the factors that gave the film it's disturbing nature. The film didn't need a musical score to inhance the effect of the film like so many other films. The absence of it left you alone, naked, and raw as you witness the horror that was taking place on the screen. It was like you were in the house with them. And the subliminals were cheap. Some reviewers of the original felt that the scene where Chris goes up to the attic and the candle flares up was cheap effect, unworthy of the film. I felt the subliminals were even worse. So unnecessary. I agree with Friedkin and feel the original film is just fine and I don't think that the ending leaves one with a negative feeling. Evil is evil and even though the exorcism was a success, there still is going to be residual from the events that had transpired. This film is an incredible piece of work and is one of the top 10 films ever made, regardless of what AFI may think. Bravo!

The first time I saw The Exorcist, I had to sleep with the lights on for a week. That was back in 1980. Twenty seven years later I was almost reluctant to watch it again. Even though the special effects are a little outdated it is still a very disturbing movie to watch. I didn't have to sleep with the lights on this time but I could have sworn I felt my bed shaking.

In my opinion, this movie was way ahead of its time. Personally, I don't think they could've done any better with this particular movie. If you've never seen this movie before, I highly recommend buying it and watching it right now! A word of advice, to get the biggest impact while watching this movie, watch it at night with the lights off, and if you have a home entertainment system, crank that baby up! If you're a wimp though, this is not recommended!

Oh Linda
You came and you starred in the Exorcist
But you scared us away, Oh Linda
You went on to play in Airport 1975
Now we need you today, Oh Linda

You then starred in the awful Exorcist II
and your career was in the slumps until Roller Boogie
then you skated into our hearts once again


Umm...the song was cut short as I couldn't think of anything that rhymed with boogie, except for maybe boogie-oogie-oogie. Anyway, I'm too tired to try anymore. But I think I made my point: Linda Blair is the leader and when the space-men come she is going to talk to them for us and if you follower her she will take us with them.

*I had the same questions everyone else had: How does she jump up and down off the bed? How does her head spin around? How does she throw up?
-Linda Blair

Based on William Peter Blatty's novel, "The Exorcist", William Friedkin's 1973 classic horror movie also know as "The Exorcist" is without a doubt the most powerful horror movie ever made. Moreover, there has never been a more controversial movie on such a grand scale and that crosses as many boundaries as "The Exorcist". In fact, the idea of possession is as old as the Bible, and still has a basis in many religions to this very day. Regardless of your opinion on the subject, there has also never been a movie as intricate on the subject of possession as "The Exorcist". When it was released in 1973, "The Exorcist" literally shook the world with a very realistic take on the absolutely horrifying subject matter of demonic possession. After thirty-four years, this movie is still being debated and talked about as the greatest and scariest horror movie of all-time. Regardless of your position on that issue, the fact that "The Exorcist" is one of the elite horror films ever produced is just that, a fact, not an opinion.

Having seen it many times, the power of "The Exorcist" never ceases to amaze me. Perhaps what is so great about "The Exorcist" is that it is so multi-layered, fascinating and literally gut-wrenching to watch, but more importantly, "The Exorcist" is also a great story, a horrifying and haunting story, but a great one. Each of the main characters turns in such powerful performances and the possession of Regan is as realistically portrayed as such a phenomenon could possibly be. One has to wonder if Friedkin was not possessed himself in the making of this movie. His attention to detail in this masterpiece is truly amazing.

There are many reasons why "The Exorcist" is such a great piece of film-making. One such reason is because it enables the viewer to suspend their disbelief and view the events in "The Exorcist" as hauntingly realistic. However, "The Exorcist" is not just a horror movie, but, in many ways, "The Exorcist" is as much of a Christian drama about the good and evil in this world as it is a horror movie. In some ways, "The Exorcist" is a metaphor for life, a metaphor of good versus evil, right versus wrong, life versus death and sin versus redemption. It is full of dramatic subplots (the death of Karras' mother and his struggle with his own faith as a priest) which is most unusual for horror movies, but then again, "The Exorcist" is so much more than a horror movie.

In my opinion, "The Exorcist" is one of the greatest movies of all-time and that goes for any and all genres. So many people say, well, you know, "The Exorcist" is getting old, I've seen it so many times, it's really funny when you think about it. No, it is most definitely NOT funny when you really think about it. Those people do not get it. Maybe to try and laugh is what makes these people feel better after watching this movie. However, at its core, "The Exorcist" is a movie that is designed to make you think, something that I unfortunately cannot say for most horror movies. If I had a dime for every time I heard someone say, "it really stays with you", I'd be a rich man. It is what it is, like it or lump it, because if it's anything, "The Exorcist" is a very powerful and thought-provoking film.

What I do find strange about the criticisms of this film are from the atheists out there. They really have a hard time with this film. Most of them do not like it or say they like it, but secretly they hate and fear its underlying meaning. Of course, some Christians do not like the movie as well, probably because of the crucifix scene and the intense scenes with the demon. In fact, if I recall correctly, Billy Graham even spoke out against this movie as well. At any rate, to say that "The Exorcist" is a controversial movie is an understatement of epic proportions.

Amazingly unique to "The Exorcist" is its ability to present fantastic and unbelievable phenomena to the viewer, and make it seem so real, so powerful, and so intense. In a sense, to look at "The Exorcist" metaphorically-speaking makes it even more brilliant than taken in the literal sense. I could go on and on philosophizing about this subject, but the fact of the matter is that "The Exorcist" is one of the only horror films that makes one think about the mysteries and the darkness in this life.

In "The Exorcist", a priest, Father Merrin, played exceptionally well by Max von Sidow, discovers something incredibly evil while on an archaeological dig in Northern Iraq. For Father Merrin, this did not come too unexpectedly as he had an experience with this kind of evil before. Across the world, a girl, Regan, played brilliantly by Linda Blair, becomes possessed by an incredibly evil entity, and her loving mother, played exceptionally well by Ellen Burstyn, struggles to provide her daughter with medical care to cure her of her seemingly incurable condition. Another priest, Damien Karras, played exceptionally well by Jason Miller, (got a theme here on the acting) must deal with a terrible tragedy in his life while also struggling with his faith and, ultimately, both priests are called upon to perform an exorcism to save the girl's life, and to do battle with the evil of all evils. Each of these characters face incredible horror in their lives and all of the subplots come together brilliantly by movie's end to create a masterpiece in "The Exorcist". Exceptional acting is very rare for horror films, and "The Exorcist" has some of the best acting that you will ever find in a horror movie or in any movie for that matter.

As "The Exorcist" moves along, Friedkin does an absolutely amazing job of presenting the viewer with incredibly disturbing and haunting images in different but altogether indelibly potent fashions. A horrifying image occurs to Damien Karras during a nightmare about his mother. Father Merrin has an omen of things to come in Iraq as he witnesses the evil of the demon which ultimately possesses Regan. The mother witnesses the horrible atrocities committed by the demon within Regan, and the horror associated with such a possession, especially of someone she loves. Regan experiences the ultimate in horror as she is literally overpowered by the presence of the demon. It all comes together eloquently in "The Exorcist" in a frighteningly real and surreal yet beautifully poetic fashion. This is yet another reason that "The Exorcist" is such a great movie.

The powerful performances given by each actor in his/her respective role is also a credit to the director, William Friedkin, who went to incredible lengths to make this movie as atmospheric and as realistic as possible, especially given the supernatural and paranormal subject matter involved. When dealing with the supernatural and the paranormal, one really needs to be able to sell it to the audience, and Friedkin does this exceptionally well in "The Exorcist". So many horror movies fail in this regard, but "The Exorcist" does this as well as any movie I have ever seen. In fact, the cinematography of this film is second to none and the effects are brilliant and light years ahead of its time. The production values are obviously top-notch. It is really quite amazing how great this film truly is. Obviously, Friedkin must have been obsessed with the making of this film to have done such a brilliant job in every conceivable aspect.

In a sense, "The Exorcist" is like one big nightmare that causes the viewer to delve into an area of incredible darkness that is most uncomfortable. The idea of possession is horrifying in and of itself. It should also be noted that some groups of people, including the Catholics, maintain that possession by demons is a very real phenomenon. Imagine not being in control of your own mind or your body, yet your soul is being poisoned by some foreign entity. Whether demonic possession exists or not, there is such a thing as not being in control of your mind and body. In today's world, we call it split-personality, multiple personality disorder, dementia, schizophrenia, psychosis, alcoholism, drug addiction etc., but the effect is essentially the same, same principle I mean. In a sense these are all varying forms and/or degrees of possession when you think about it. I am not taking a stance on the issue in this review although there have been various documented accounts of exorcisms. In fact, "The Exorcist" is supposedly based on a real life exorcism of a child, although very loosely from what I understand. In fact, there is a movie called "The Possessed" or something like that starring Timothy Dalton which is supposedly based on a true story, but this movie was terrible in my estimation. Please see my review on this movie for more details. However, I believe this is the story that Blatty got the idea for "The Exorcist" from. At any rate, a horror movie about demonic possession is about as good of an idea for a horror movie as you can possibly get because it is a very scary concept in and of itself.

What is so truly amazing about "The Exorcist" are the many images that will literally stay with you for the rest of your life. This is one powerful movie that you will never forget, and that makes this movie truly special. "The Exorcist" is the epitome of what a horror movie should try to be and is the true masterpiece of its genre. I will not go into the different scenes in the movie because the viewer should experience these scenes without any warning, in order to get the pure effect of the film, but it should be pointed out that the way in which Friedkin brings home the horror of possession is as frighteningly genuine and realistic, in a sense, as anything the horror genre has to offer. Moreover, the supernatural elements are developed beautifully in "The Exorcist" and are done in such a dark and haunting fashion that the viewer is able to experience pure and unadulterated horror while also ascertaining and fully appreciating the evil that has taken hold of Regan.

At the same time, the element of darkness and the unknown which is obviously so inherently rooted in supernatural evil is clearly communicated to the audience in such an awesome way which only works to make the viewing experience that much more unsettling, powerful and uncomfortable for the viewer. The haunting score that "The Exorcist" employs to compliment its action only works to accentuate the horror that this movie is brilliantly able to produce. Quite frankly, people are more scared of things they do not understand or are unable to make sense of or cannot put their finger on more than anything else, and that is what you get in "The Exorcist". This is yet another reason why "The Exorcist" is one of the scariest and best horror movies of all-time. Ideas like why do bad things happen to good people, and why does evil exist are dealt with in a subtle but poignant fashion in "The Exorcist". Themes only too prevalent since the beginning of time that are dealt with in classic novels like "The Brothers Karamazov" by Fyodor Dosteovsky, are also addressed (although to a lesser degree and depth) in "The Exorcist".

There are many forms of horror, shock-horror like "Last House on the Left" and "Cannibal Holocaust", etc., there is atmospheric horror dealing with the paranormal like Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining" and "The Amityville Horror" and those that deal with witchcraft like "Suspiria" and "Inferno", situational horror films like "Halloween", and then there are horror movies that confront the most basic and most powerful of all evils in a direct fashion like "The Omen" and "The Exorcist", movies that tell the story of the evil behind all evils and darkness so evident in today's world. These are powerful films that make the viewer think about the evil they do not want to know and what they do not understand. "The Exorcist" does this more effectively than any movie I have ever seen. While "The Exorcist" is a very dark film, it does leave a sliver of light and hope for humanity that stirs the emotions of the viewer by movie's end, perhaps not the kind of light that makes the average viewer feel comfortable, but it is clearly there. Of course, this is the idea of redemption from sin, deliverance from evil, faith, and the afterlife, many things people do not want to address in this day and age. Once again, this is what makes "The Exorcist" such a powerful film, one that is very dear to my heart.

Finally, there's been a lot of talk about "The Exorcist: The version you've never seen" versus the original and I think both are great. I happen to love the "spider crawl" scene in the version you've never seen, but I don't like the ending compared to the original version. Regardless of which version you like, if you think you are a horror fan and you do not have a DVD copy of "The Exorcist" on your DVD shelf, your collection is not only incomplete, but you have not even started it yet. In order to appreciate the horror genre, "The Exorcist", "The Omen", Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining", and "Halloween" are the greatest films that the genre has to offer with the consensus being that "The Exorcist" is still the scariest movie of all-time. After watching this movie yet again, I can certainly understand where the majority is coming from. Five (5) stars for "The Exorcist" which does not even do the film justice to be honest with you. Of course, "The Exorcist" receives HorrorMan's highest possible rating as one of the greatest and scariest horror movies ever produced and as the most powerful horror movie all-time. Simply put, "The Exorcist" is cinematic horror in its purest and finest form.

It's about time WB finally are in talks about releasing the Exorcist on HD DVD. In my opinion it's considered the scariest movie of all time 33 years after it's initial release and can't wait until I have a copy of it. I hope that they would do like a double feature package the original on one side and the version you never seen before on the other. I hope the 25th anniversary piece is added too. I have not purchased a HD DVD but I can tell you this much as soon as this HD version pops up in stores I will buy the HD DVD and will enjoy a true horror classic.

SINCE SO MUCH HAS ALREADY BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT THIS MOVIE, I WILL BE BRIEF. THIS MOVIE IS PURE SUSPENSE AND INFLICTS FEAR ON THE VIEWER. LEAVE THE LIGHTS ON WHEN YOU WATCH THIS MOVIE. BETTER YET, WATCH IT IN THE AFTERNOON WHEN THEN SUN IS OUT. NOTE: IF YOU HAVE A WEAK BLADDER OR BOWL, DON'T WATCH THIS MOVIE. YOU MAY SOIL YOURSELF.

The Exorcist is no longer scary, disturbing or suspenseful. Tubular Bells is played for all of maybe 45 seconds the whole movie. The language is mild compared to even yesterday's pro wrestling, but the hokey gore etc. during the once horrifying demonic possession scenes are still there. The spifer walk scene lasts maybe 10 seconds. The whole movie is maybe two hours long. Yes, it is Christian propaganda but it has appeared to have mellowed with age. This is abolutely nothing compared to even Night of the Demons 2, the last movie that genuinely unnerved me. As a Christian drama about demonic possession it's nearly a masterpiece, but like my pastor said, you can take a 76 Chevy, paint it, and it'll still be a 76 Chevy. Meaning here- what was scary as hell in the 70s hardly raises and eyebrow today even with a measly 11 minutes of added footage. Oh, and the prequel Dominion was bad. But still I liked it as a Christian drama. The horror isn't there any more.

I think I speak for all Americans when I say that I am SO glad Linda Blair turned out ok. This is a shocker to end all shockers. I went to see the re-release in theaters four times in one week. I wanted to see peoples reactions who had not seen the movie. On a couple of occasions I heard grown men gasp.

Having seen the original "Exorcist" about a million times, I wasn't expecting much; a few more spasms of pea soup, some more foul language from the smartass demon we all know and love, or maybe Father Merrin going to the pharmacy and getting some heart medication that ACTUALLY WORKS.

But "The Version You've Never Seen" defied all my expectations and then some. This is better than the original, infinitely better, and I don't say that lightly. It transforms that classic 1973 shockfest/bleak tale of an innocent young girl defiled by forces beyond science and beyond the most extreme of human assistance into a subtle masterpiece which transcends horror and most so called "religious" films in general.

The story is the same but recounted in a manner which is somehow entirely different from Friedkin's original cut: there is a meditative silence to the quietly catastrophic events which put a girl's life in danger and bring two men who barely know each other together to help her:the scene in the doctor's office, when Regan is being given a series of medical/psychological tests, answer in no uncertain terms the question of whether she was possessed or not. The face that appears momentarily speaks for itself.

Father Karras' personal crisis with the insanity and death of his mother and his reaction to it is dramatically altered by the beautifully restored scenes in which he says mass: in the original, he looks from the altar and sees people weeping, broken. In this version, Miller's character is beginning to realize that Regan is actually possessed and his faith is being strengthened by this new catastrophe, not weakened. The spiderwalk scene is appropriately foul; it shows that the horror living inside of Regan will not be restricted to her bedroom forever.

The images which are spliced within the film are not hoky at all but on the contrary make it more frightening: the ill-fated hypnotist with a serious case of blueballs gets a momentary glimpse of what he is dealing with before Regan chokes the chicken. The sense of ultimate mystery--an aging Jesuit priest finding an unpleasant relic in Iraq, a tortured young priest who is ready to pack it in and leave the priesthood, the little daughter of a rich and lively actress in Georgetown, and the coagulation of these forces into a disastrous but successful final confrontation--it is all done to better effect here.

There is something deeply, deeply disturbing about this movie; while certainly not the "scariest movie of all time", it is a visceral assault on the senses filled with a strange voodoo subliminal power that does not make for casual viewing. Unless one is absolutely steeled to whatever one sees, and even then, this will scare the hell out of you, no pun intended. One of the best horror movies ever made and thought provoking about the most important questions in our lives.

I didn't remember the exorcist very well because I was too young when I first saw it. So these added scenes really didn't do much for me. But when I saw this again it was like watching it for the first time.

I didn't find it as scary as most reviewers. One of the reasons mostly has to do with me not believing in this type of thing. I will point out that it does deliver. This is what a horror movie is about. It has its chills and the possesion scenes were something else.

Some people may like this and some won't. Thats just life. I think everyone who enjoys movies should check this out at least once in their life.

Just as good as when i watched at the movies. Do NOT watch when all alone.

In my youth I watched every horror movie I could get my hands on, and although some of them scared me none of them utterly owned my nights for as long as this did after seing it! Never will you find a movie with as scary and disturbing(Saw fans... please be serious here!) a premise as what was put to film here. Trust me... I've been trying my entire adult life and this is truly the pinnacle of horror. This is one of those movies that is so great you must own it, and yet you never watch it! And that is a total testament to how powerful this really is. Nobody in the history of mankind has ever decided on a whim to wach The Exorcist a second time for "something to do." You have to get prepared, like a week in advance! The only way you watch The Exorcist spontaneously is if you have someone over who has never seen it and you forsake your own good sense to watch them completely lose their mind! So I guess what I'm trying to say is that this is my favorite horror film of all time... yet also my least favorite to watch. Make any sense? If not, watch the film alone and with the lights off... you can thank/curse me later!

this movie is wicked creepy. i loved it, it paved the way for all these other excorsism movies, but this one is definitly the best. the actors were great, the story was so believable, the makeup was good, and it was truly scary. not much can do that these days, but this one still can. a young innocent girls bodies possessed, killing her off slowly, making her do all these horrible things to herself. the mother helpless what does she do. her last resource the church. the priests who give their lives to help. the oldest battle in the book: good against evil. they must do all they can to save this little girl. all the while being taunted and lured by this demonic creature. excellent story and brilliant idea. from start to finish this movie was great. don't mess with things you don't understand. the head twisting scene: WICKED.

Movies do a lot of things to scare people these days, most of which involve quick, loud music, something coming out of the dark corner unexpectedly, and then finishing with torrents of spraying, splattering blood. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But here's how horror movies never start: a sandswept mideastern wasteland, an old pill-popping priest, and an inexplicably creepy statue silhouetted against a dusky sun with dogs fighting in the foreground.

THE EXORCIST is frightening in ways movies had never been before and have never been since, although many have tried to duplicate its inimitable horror.

The setup works like this: a twelve year old girl (played by Linda Blair in one of the most brilliant and controversial performances in horror movie history), estranged from her father, lives instead in Georgetown with her actress mother. And they're happy--until Satan possess the child, which kind of ruins everything ... Enter the priests: one young, one old; one an educated but disillusioned psychiatrist, the other an old warrior of exorcism. Add a homicide cop. And hold onto your [...] for the scariest movie ever made.

If you've seen it, you don't need anyone to rehash the details, and if you haven't, then you would not want me to ruin it. So I won't. But let me just add this note to today's horror movie makers--you can spring out at your audience with a hockey-masked man and a chainsaw, hoping to make your audience scream, but you'll never achieve that split second of soul-rending, into-the-abyss-staring moment of terror Friedkin impaled on his moviegoers when he flashed the not-quite-subliminal face of the devil into the random dream images of Father Karras. Thanks for trying, though.

(This review has been posted by Marcus Damanda, author of the vampire novel "Teeth: A Horror Fantasy.")

This is, by far, the most absorbing, horrific manifestation of pure evil. It was conjoured from the deepest, darkest dungeon of hell and will probably implant these nightmarish visions in your inner psyche. If you're lucky, you'll be able to repress these frightening images and get some peaceful sleep. But that might take awhile.
I can't reccommend this movie, it's too much for many people. The idea of demonic possession strikes such an extreme fear in the hearts of the pure, that this movie could do some damage. At least take this advice, don't you dare watch it alone.
You've been warned.

Hot damn! The greatest horror movie of all time for such a small price. The DvD itself is wonderful and not too bulky like other special editions. The extra footage is a great bonus and the trailers and tv spots are to die for. Scary and very frightening. If you are overly religious like half of my friends, then I suggest that you buy a different movie, because you may be offened. But if you are willing to admit that its just a story, I strongly suggest this to you.

If you choose this movie...don't forget that people have fainted and vomited because of this movie.

Director Friedkin's masterful adaptation of William Peter Blatty's best-seller is one of the most petrifying films on record. An ominous mood is established at the outset that quickly escalates to bone-chilling terror. Burstyn embodies the frantic mother, while Miller is the film's emotional heart as the tortured Karras. And young Blair would never match her outing as the possessed child. Look for a solid late-career turn by Lee J. Cobb as a curious detective. To the uninitiated, beware-this is still strong stuff.

Warning: Do not watch it if you are under 19. Secondly, do not watch alone or nighttime, or before going to sleep. Very powerful movie that scares to death.

This is simply a wonderful film. Everybody knows about the head-spinning and vomitting, but no-one ever mentions the brilliant direction, fabulous use of sound and stunning imagery, such as in the first 12 minutes of the film.

The next section of the film develops the characters, and until at 75 minutes in the film Mrs MacNeil meets Karras and begs him to see her daughter. This scene ("And, how do you go about getting an exorcism?") is very powerful. Ellen Burstyn is outstanding, and should have won the best actress Oscar in 1973 for this film rather than Glenda Jackson.

Most people will be familiar with the last section of the film and if the effects look a little dated it doesn't detract from the raw power of the film. There are great supporting roles from Max Von Sydow and Lee J Cobb.

The UK film critic Mark Kermode (who is always right!) claims this as the greatest film of all time. Whilst it wouldn't be my choice it is certainly amongst the best I've ever seen and I strongly recommend it.