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Author Topic: The Exorcist-18mins.
Andrew Wilson
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 784
From: dundonald,belfast,co.antrim,northern ireland.
Registered: Jan 2006


 - posted July 24, 2007 03:52 PM      Profile for Andrew Wilson   Author's Homepage         Edit/Delete Post 
I have read several comments on this forum recently with ref.to
features vs cut downs.In my view,if ever a cut down worked it is for this title.
Released in 1973,this was warner bros biggest box office hit of the
day.It took a then staggering $82 million at the box office.Big money back in 73.
This condesation opens in Iraq where we see a group of arcacologists busy on a dig.An edlery gentleman breaks opens a small rock,revealing a devils head.
Desert dogs howl,and it is clear that a evil spirit has been unleased.
We then move to Georgetown,USA,where a mother(Ellen Burstyn)is
worried about her twelve-year-old daughter,Regan(Linda Blair),who
is having constant nightmares.Those quickly develop into more violent outbursts as she physically attacks her own doctor.
The doctors are at a loss to help,but the mother is amazed when
one of them askes her if she has ever considerd a exorcism.
She must, however,admit that her daughter does seem possessed-
Regan begins speaking with a growling male voice and shouting obscenitices.That infamous scene with the crucifix is included,
before the mother calls in Father Karras(Jason Miller).
He is more than shocked,when Regan spews green vomit all over his
face.
Everthing is set for the final exorcism as Father Merrin(Max Von Sydow),is called in to begin the service...
As Regan,now a festering,twisted monster,screams the most foul language,we witnewss the quite shattering climax....
All the best remerberd scences are in this skilfully edited condensation are here.What more could you want.?Excellent.
PrintB
SoundC.

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Dave Cragg
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 166
From: Merseyside, Great Britain
Registered: Jun 2005


 - posted July 24, 2007 04:08 PM      Profile for Dave Cragg   Email Dave Cragg   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Great review Andy.
A friend of mine has this and I remember being impressed.
Don't suppose this made it out as a full feature or abridged?

Dave

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Wide eyed novice.

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Mark Williams
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 846
From: West Sussex
Registered: Mar 2007


 - posted July 24, 2007 04:48 PM      Profile for Mark Williams   Email Mark Williams   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Dave,This was actually released by Columbia US as a very skilfully edited 3 x 400ft version which is well worth tracking down!

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Douglas Meltzer
Moderator

Posts: 4554
From: New York, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003


 - posted July 24, 2007 09:50 PM      Profile for Douglas Meltzer   Email Douglas Meltzer   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Andrew,

Thanks for the review. Warner Bros. did a great job on this one and I dare say that some of the decisions made in this edit would've made the full length version even better.

Dave,

As Mark said, the 3x400' is very well done. There have been a few threads on the Forum about adding footage from the 400 footer to the longer version. One thing to note: the color on the 400' version is superior to it's three reel sibling.

Doug

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I think there's room for just one more film.....

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Graham Ritchie
Film God

Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006


 - posted July 25, 2007 04:00 AM      Profile for Graham Ritchie   Email Graham Ritchie   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Andy
Great kids film, "just kidding" I bought this film when it was new watched it once, that was enough your description "Green vomit" etc [Eek!] I still remember it was to much for me, decided to stick to good old fashioned "Tom and Jerry" violence instead.

Graham [Smile]

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Andrew Wilson
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 784
From: dundonald,belfast,co.antrim,northern ireland.
Registered: Jan 2006


 - posted July 27, 2007 10:42 AM      Profile for Andrew Wilson   Author's Homepage         Edit/Delete Post 
Graham,we in the UK coudn't watch THE EXORCIST full lenght at home,
because of the Video recording Act.That means that it was Banned
in the UK,for over ten years.The only place on the planet that this title was bannded in the home.As for the other fellow members who
do'nt like cut downs/digests,then search out this one to see why it
works better than the feature.Andy.

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Andreas Eggeling
Master Film Handler

Posts: 467
From: R.I.P.
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 - posted July 28, 2007 04:18 AM      Profile for Andreas Eggeling     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
An example about big office with super8:

The german theatrical box office:

Visitors: appr. 4.600.000 (in 1973)
Average ticket price in 1973: 4.50 DM
Conversion: appr. 4.600.000 x 4.50 = 20.700.000 DM

UFA was known for high editions when releasing new films.
Have heard about 4000 or more prints for Germany and making further edtions when the title was succesful. "The Excorist" was announced as one of UFA´s succesfull titles in 1980/81.

The one reeler was published in 1980:
Let us assume that 5000 copies for Germany were manufactured.
Marketing, UFA and piccolo film had a uniform price.
149,- DM for a 120 m (400ft) color sound reel.
5000 x 149,- = 745.000 DM (appr. 3,6 % of the theatrical box office of Germany)

Similar targets might have had UFA with the three parter.
If the market would not have broken in, the three-parter would have made a conversion of over 10 per cent of the german theatrical box office.

One must mark to the fact that the number of parts of a film on were dependent which companies cooperated with one another.
The German Super8 companies began to bring in the early 70's multipart films on the market. This had influence on how US companies brought out later films on the market.

Simple example:
If universal with UFA had cooperated, we would have today a three-parter of "Earthquake".

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Osi Osgood
Film God

Posts: 10204
From: Mountian Home, ID.
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 - posted July 28, 2007 07:29 PM      Profile for Osi Osgood   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Personally, I think this would work better as the 3X400ft. version, and I'd love to read a good review of that version as well.

It just seems that for the horror of this particular title to have it's desired effect, you need at least a little build-up, instead of just erupting into projectile vomit after a minute or two.

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"All these moments will be lost in time, just like ... tears, in the rain. "

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Douglas Meltzer
Moderator

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From: New York, NY, USA
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 - posted July 28, 2007 08:08 PM      Profile for Douglas Meltzer   Email Douglas Meltzer   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Osi,

The 3x400' version is terrific, but it's nice to see how well the 400 footer works and how much thought went into it. Also, the shorter version has the opening archaeological dig scene in Iraq, missing from the other.

Doug

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I think there's room for just one more film.....

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Andreas Eggeling
Master Film Handler

Posts: 467
From: R.I.P.
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 - posted July 29, 2007 02:40 AM      Profile for Andreas Eggeling     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I prefer the 3x400 plus scenes from the 400er.

The 400er only is like a promotion reel and no uncanny tendency arises.

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Graham Ritchie
Film God

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From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006


 - posted July 29, 2007 03:47 PM      Profile for Graham Ritchie   Email Graham Ritchie   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Andy
Was surprised that the film was banned for such a long time, I agree it was well edited as a 400ft, it was the content that put me off, its the only Super8 film that I have ever returned and made an excuse that there was a fault with it, just to get my money back. I should have checked it out a bit more before buying it, mistake on my part, I simply did not want to watch it again.

Graham.

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Andrew Wilson
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 784
From: dundonald,belfast,co.antrim,northern ireland.
Registered: Jan 2006


 - posted July 30, 2007 03:54 PM      Profile for Andrew Wilson   Author's Homepage         Edit/Delete Post 
Graham,thats ok.As for me i never considerd THE EXCORCIST a great
film.The first hour is scrappy and just plain boring.The 400ft
version is in my view does what a cut down should do..Gets rid of the driftwood and leaves the shock moments.As for the 3x400footer,i
am unable to make any comments.Andy.

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Trevor Collett
Junior
Posts: 17
From: Lower Hutt, New Zealand
Registered: Jul 2016


 - posted July 22, 2016 12:05 PM      Profile for Trevor Collett   Email Trevor Collett   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Put this Warner Bros digest through last night (haven't seen this digest for 15+ years). This is surely one of the most intense 17 minutes ever put to super 8. Most of the critical possession and exorcism scenes linked by brief storyline (with more emphasis on the possession for the horror impact). Certainly no concern about providing home viewing for the family!

Opens in Iraq with discovery of demon mini-statue, Von Sydow senses the evil. Cut to first major possession scene on bed, throat extending. Brief interludes of interviews with doctors and psychiatrist (includes the testicle-grip scene) then full-on possession scenes ('let Jesus f*** you' - head turning - projectile vomit). Iconic scenes included - arrival of exorcist shot used in posters - Regan on bed with demon appearing beside her. All the exorcism scenes condensed and combined into one exorcism sequence, works very well. Brutal language is intact.

This is a great selected highlights edition, circa 1975 (of 1973 film). I'm not sure if this was released to super 8 in a longer format.

My print at 40-odd years old shows no signs of color fade at all. Really nice colors and blacks throughout (no hint of red). Sharp clear print. Does change from 1.85:1 to full frame between shots, not sure why some were released like this - perhaps so that critical information wasn't omitted.

The only real downside is the soundtrack is quite low, but this may be a fault with just my version. But no hiss with playing on Elmo ST1200HD, just have the volume higher than normal.

Highly recommended if the price isn't too high (it's still just a highlights reel after all).

My print is not for sale.

--------------------
Trevor Collett
Lower Hutt
New Zealand

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Tom Photiou
Film God

Posts: 4837
From: Plymouth U.K
Registered: Dec 2003


 - posted July 22, 2016 12:08 PM      Profile for Tom Photiou     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Good review there Trevor, i sold my 400 footer and wished i kept it now. I sold it because we bought,(and still have) the 3 x 400 footer.
The shorter version actually has parts of the exorcism the the 3 x 400 foot version didn't have. Only short snippets but this does make a difference. There was no question of cutting it up as the qualities were different. The 6 reel featurette is very good but i found the sound on the 400 version better but also like yours, lower. The Feature also has some parts where the sound is quite low.
Of course the boys who re-record would have sorted this but also the frame lines and focus were also different.
The two version stand perfectly on there own without chopping them up [Wink]

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Osi Osgood
Film God

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From: Mountian Home, ID.
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 - posted July 22, 2016 12:09 PM      Profile for Osi Osgood   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Trevor ...

The reason for the change between letterboxing and full frame is that this 400ft print was taken from a full frame 35MM or 16MM which, when originally released, has different shots, due to processing of shots (special effect and such), and those shots were already matted for the aspect ratio that it would have theatrically, and when shown in theaters, there would be masking added to the whole print to make it all the same aspect ratio throughout.

I have a super 8 optical print of "Greystroke: The legend of Tarzan" that is in the ame category. The print was taken from the original shooting negative ratio,and the very last shot, a scenic shot of the jungle, was actually a large matte painting, but you can actually see the edges of the matte painting as well as the easel it standa on, on the top and the bottom but, of course, when properly matted to ggive it it's theatrical aspect ratio, those things would be unseen.

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"All these moments will be lost in time, just like ... tears, in the rain. "

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

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From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012


 - posted July 22, 2016 06:00 PM      Profile for Andrew Woodcock         Edit/Delete Post 
Is it me?
I'm no prude by any stretch of the imagination, but this is one film I've only ever watched all the way though once and to be honest, I always thought it to be tasteless.

One of those films that shocks just for the sake of it to me.

I feel other sicko productions like Saw or Silence Of The Lambs have far more cleverly written storylines and don't just capture the imagination with nothing more than crudeness.

Sorry but that's just mine for what it's worth.

I actually found the first hour of this film completely boring if I'm honest.

It's one I've never owned on Super 8mm in any format and judging by what has been said plus the images I've only ever seen of this film since being back in the hobby, it's one I'm never likely to own either.

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Trevor Collett
Junior
Posts: 17
From: Lower Hutt, New Zealand
Registered: Jul 2016


 - posted July 23, 2016 02:46 AM      Profile for Trevor Collett   Email Trevor Collett   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Thanks for the heads-up Osi. Makes sense now (why some super 8 prints change aspect ratios).

Agree Andrew that THE EXORCIST is extreme and not for all - but horror is my favourite genre and nothing is too extreme as long as the work of effects artists. And for pure sensationalism THE EXORCIST digest is superb!

General note: I see now that THE EXORCIST was released 3 x 400-ft. Shame I never got to have that version.

--------------------
Trevor Collett
Lower Hutt
New Zealand

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David Ollerearnshaw
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1373
From: Penistone Sheffield UK
Registered: Oct 2012


 - posted July 23, 2016 12:01 PM      Profile for David Ollerearnshaw   Author's Homepage   Email David Ollerearnshaw   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Watched this at the Barnsley Odean I almost nodded off, plus had to laugh when her head went round. Has for the 'green' stuff a normal Saturday night in Barnsley.

--------------------
I love the smell of film in the morning.

http://www.thereelimage.co.uk/

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Tom Photiou
Film God

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From: Plymouth U.K
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 - posted July 23, 2016 01:43 PM      Profile for Tom Photiou     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I do like the film but agree at the time of its release it was very extreme. I guess as always now it's quite tame by modern standards. There are some very good moments in there though, especially the scene where the car drives up to the house.

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012


 - posted July 23, 2016 07:40 PM      Profile for Andrew Woodcock         Edit/Delete Post 
I would have much preferred the Candyman or Christine to be available on 8 than this one. And that's just off the top of my head for the genre.

From a different genre...Jackie Brown also.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=110+street&view=detail&mid=E88D84BB1EAE4F1125A6E88D84BB1EAE4F1125A6&FORM=VIRE

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Douglas Warren
Master Film Handler

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From: West Chester, OH, USA
Registered: Feb 2008


 - posted July 24, 2016 07:47 PM      Profile for Douglas Warren     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I think you have to be a fan of the genre, which helps shape opinion on " The Exorcist". Having read the original book plus the back story on the actual incident gives the film more weight. But again it all boils down to what you enjoy. I collect aviation and war movies on film which is a niche within a niche hobby.

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Turn out the lights,the movie is starting!

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David M. Ballew
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Posts: 113
From: Burbank, CA USA
Registered: Nov 2009


 - posted July 25, 2016 04:26 PM      Profile for David M. Ballew   Email David M. Ballew   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!

A major theme running through acts one and two of The Exorcist is Father Karras’s ongoing worry that his decision to become a priest has been for naught. He feels that if he had pursued a secular career, he would be in a better position to help his declining mother. Over and above that, his counseling of other priests is causing him to doubt his faith—perhaps even lose it altogether. The director, William Friedkin, explores this (and the film's other themes) with very deliberate observational filmmaking. I can see where this approach might seem boring to many people, especially those for whom the film overall is not their cup of tea. But I want to underline that I personally place great importance on all that is said and shown prior to the climactic exorcism.

All Father Karras's doubt is fully and firmly resolved for him in the third act. I know we are not meant to delve into religion on this board, so I will limit myself to saying that, after Regan levitates from the bed, there is a mighty change in Father Karras. He begins to see that he has made the right choice from the beginning. And I feel that this character arc only resonates as powerfully as it does because we have been permitted to walk a mile alongside Father Karras, so to speak, during a substantial portion of the film’s running time. Instead of an empty shell of a horror film, as we so often get, we are offered instead a probing and unusual drama in which carefully textured characters encounter the supernatural—and not merely the evil side of the supernatural, not by a long shot!

Having said all that, I will add that there are moments I feel are a bit excessive. But I accept William Peter Blatty’s explanation, that he really sought to illustrate the depravity of evil. He felt that pulling his punches would undermine the stark contrast he was trying to draw between evil and good.

I am now very intrigued at the prospect of tracking down a 400-foot extract of The Exorcist.

[ July 26, 2016, 10:16 PM: Message edited by: David M. Ballew ]

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Douglas Warren
Master Film Handler

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From: West Chester, OH, USA
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 - posted July 27, 2016 03:14 PM      Profile for Douglas Warren     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
David: That's a great observation about the film,and is very much a big part of the book as well. Hopefully you'll succeed in finding a copy of the 400' digest. When I was getting into Super-8 films seriously for the first time (1986) I lucked into a nearly new copy. As others have noted it is well edited and contains most of the famous scenes. A side note that members here may not be aware of,is that there was a promotional reel from "The Exorcist" released. I cannot recall if it was a 200' or 400' reel. That's how I wound up with my 400' copy,as I called to reserve it from a film list (Roger Williams of Media Arts Associates) and the promo reel was sold. He had the digest for sale and offered it to me instead.

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Turn out the lights,the movie is starting!

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Osi Osgood
Film God

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From: Mountian Home, ID.
Registered: Jul 2005


 - posted July 29, 2016 11:42 AM      Profile for Osi Osgood   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Nawww ...

For me, "Cujo" has my money! Something about a humungous rabid dog that just gets me!

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"All these moments will be lost in time, just like ... tears, in the rain. "

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David Hardy
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From: Johnshaven Village , Montrose, Scotland
Registered: Jan 2015


 - posted July 31, 2016 10:39 AM      Profile for David Hardy     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I have never quite understood why the 3x400' does not have footage that the 400 footer has and vice versa.
Was this not also the case with Superman The Movie ?

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" My equipment's more important than your rats. "

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