The 1973 horror classic, The Exorcist is now available on Blu-ray. The set contains both the original theatrical version the director's cut released to theaters in 2000 as “the version you’ve never seen.”
In addition to the two versions of the film the DVD set includes a feature-length documentary (previously available on a DVD release), and many new special features as well as multiple commentary tracks. There is no question that The Exorcist is one of the greatest horror films (and really I think one of the greatest films) of all time. Even 37 years after its release, The Exorcist remains just as shocking and horrific as it ever did.
Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) is a famous actress shooting a movie on the campus of Georgetown University. MacNeil, a single mother, has moved to Georgetown with her almost 12- year-old daughter Regan (Linda Blair). Regan is a cute pre-teen, seemingly unspoiled and unaffected by her mother’s Hollywood lifestyle. When she is asked what she wants to do for her birthday she is satisfied with the idea of sightseeing and being taken to a movie.
Soon after Regan’s birthday she begins to exhibit disturbing behavior. Her mom takes her to endless doctor’s appointments for invasive and painful tests. The doctors are unable to come to a conclusion though they speculate about mental illness and brain lesions. Regan’s behavior becomes out of control. She speaks in strange voices, she can’t control her movements, and the words that come out of her mouth are truly shocking. Finally the doctors make a casual suggestion that Chris seek the help of a priest. The doctors don’t actually believe in possession but they don’t think the power of suggestion may help Regan.
Chris also does not believe in possession, or religion for that matter. Nonetheless, Chris seeks the advice of Father Karras (Jason Miller) who is a priest who studies psychology. Karras is quite skeptical, but is eventually persuaded that an exorcism is the only thing that might help Regan. Karras persuades the church to bring in Father Merrin (Max Von Sydow), who is an expert in the area of demonic possession. The two priests set out on a mission to rid Regan of her demon.
One of the most remarkable things about The Exorcist is that despite the supernatural aspects of possession, the film portrays a very realistic world. The characters move through their daily lives without regard to the supernatural circumstances hovering around them. They are only jolted out of their realities when they are slapped in the face by one of Regan’s outbursts. Father Karras himself is grounded in scientific theory. He even doubts his own faith. I have often thought Jason Miller has been somewhat overlooked for his role in the film. Miller does an excellent job of portraying Father Karras as both an authority figure in his role as a priest, and as a regular guy who seems quite miserable with his life. A good portion of the film is from Karras’ point of view. We see his relationship with his mother, his community, and the church. We see that the priests tell racy jokes, smoke, and get drunk at dinner parties. Everything in The Exorcist is quite secular except for the presence of Regan’s demon.
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