8mm Forum: exorcist

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Posted by Jim Schrader (Member # 9) on October 21, 2004, 06:44 AM:

Hi everyone i won the 3x400' version of this on ebay and was wondering if anybody here has this version, and can tel me alittle about it thanks

Posted by Andreas Eggeling (Member # 105) on October 21, 2004, 07:00 AM:

Hi Jim,

the storyline of the 3 x 400 is not the same as in the theatrical version. The beginning of the second part should cut
in the first part. After the scene in with Regan her mother and the Psychiatrist.

The 1 x 400 footer contains the iraq scenes, not included in the 3 x 400 version

yrs.
Andreas

Posted by Jim Schrader (Member # 9) on October 21, 2004, 10:01 AM:

cool! i do have the 400' version maybe i can add the 4 together

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on October 21, 2004, 08:14 PM:

Hi Jim,

I recently got the 400' version (from Trevor!) with the idea of adding onto the three parter. Unfortunately, the print quality doesn't match. The 400 footer's color has held up better than the now warmer looking long version. It would be too jarring to extend the scenes by intercutting the footage. I still might add on the Iraq prologue since that's a complete sequence in itself.
What really struck me is the care and the thought that the editor put into the short version. Transitions are done very smoothly, and in certain scenes, dialogue that took place on camera has been put over other footage to make the film tighter. For example: In the feature, the discussion about performing the exorcism takes place entirely in a conference room. In the digest, the dialogue is first heard over a shot of Father Karras walking up stairs heading toards the meeting. We then cut to the conference room, and when the subject turns to Father Merrin, the editor continues the audio over a shot of Merrin being notified that he's needed.
Are the other Warner Brothers digests so well edited?

Doug

Posted by Rob Koeling (Member # 35) on October 22, 2004, 04:25 AM:

Andreas,

Do you know whether the German version and the English version are identical? I have a copy of the German version, but can't stomach the dubbing. If the German edit is the same as the English, rerecording might be an option.

- Rob

Posted by Andreas Eggeling (Member # 105) on October 22, 2004, 04:28 AM:

Hi Rob,

the german version must be identical with the english prints,
because these are made in usa from the same negative.
Only the sound is different.

yrs.
Andreas

Posted by John Clancy (Member # 49) on October 22, 2004, 06:03 AM:

I have a copy of both the english and German versions and they're identical.

With regards to the 400ft edition I always recall the picture being superior on these. The 3x400ft was washed out by comparison. However, it still works okay when the extra 6 or 7 minutes is cut in from the 400ft reel. Just beware of the Barringer Clinic though - the same scene has to appear twice otherwise a couple of words of a voiceover is lost... "Do you have any religious beliefs?" becomes "Religious beliefs?" Sad that I should know the darned film off by heart like that but it took a lot of attempts to decide on what was the best way to edit that sequence about 24 years ago.

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on October 22, 2004, 11:03 AM:

Douglas- I totally agree about the sharp editing in the 400 version of "The Exorcist". I, too, noticed the super-smooth scene changes and voice overs.

One other digest comes to mind when talking about high quality editing like this. It was Ken's "The Omen" 400 footer. The whole digest flows so smoothly and tells the whole story very well without sparing much of the good parts or plot. The scene where Lee Rimmick is knocked over the banister, inter-cut with Gregory Peck driving home, all while that great sound track plays strait through, was pure genius. I was surprised to find that those scenes in the feature were not intercut in the same way. The way the digest was edited made that whole scene flow much better! What talent!

Woops [Cool]

,we've gotten off the subject again.

Nick.

Posted by Jim Schrader (Member # 9) on October 26, 2004, 06:34 AM:

HELLO ALL WELL THE FILM APPEARS TO BE EDITED ALREADY I CHECKED OUT REEL 1 ON MY EDITOR LAST NIGHT IT HAS THE IRAQ SCENES FIRST THEN SOME OTHER SCENES THROWN IN AS WELL SOMEONE TOOK THE TIME TO EDIT THIS FILM CANNOT WAIT TO CHECK OUT REEL 2 [Cool]

Posted by John Clancy (Member # 49) on October 26, 2004, 09:14 AM:

Unfortunately Jim there are no extra scenes to go into reel 2. All the remainder are on reel 3.

Now did you see the Barringer Clinic once or twice?

Posted by Jim Schrader (Member # 9) on October 29, 2004, 06:45 AM:

Will have to watch it again to see i was busy doing 2 things at once and was just listening

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on October 30, 2004, 02:50 PM:

I have to ask,
this is interesting to me as ive just PX my 400footer for the 3 x 400footer.(it does have the Xtra scenes from the 400 footer already intercut). I'm a little concerned with the remarks about the quality not so good. Can anyone elaborate a little, ie, is the focus sharpe? the colour good? etc.
Its actually being purchased as pressy for me so im very very happy to get it so it wont be going back as ive been trying to find this for some time. The 400 footer was as many of you say very well edited, probably one of the best 400 footers ever done on 8mm in both story content and quality. I dont want to be dissapointed after sending the 400 footer away as PX.

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on October 31, 2004, 09:27 AM:

Hello Tom,

The 3x400' version of The Exorcist is a nicely edited cutdown that keeps the flavor of the full length feature. Cutting in the additional scenes from the 400' version (especially the beginning) opens up the film a bit, so that every scene doesn't take place in Georgetown. I'm sure there's quite a range in quality of all those prints out there, and my 3x400 is warm and could've used more contrast. My 400' has nicer color/contrast but it is also grainier. I haven't cut them together because of the difference, but I'm sure you'll be happy with your present! It really carries that spooky feeling throughout and the film still shocks!

Doug

Posted by Jim Schrader (Member # 9) on November 01, 2004, 06:54 AM:

One thing i did notice was the sound the scenes from the 400' were of lower sound which i noticed on my 400' version and the sound was louder on the rest i also found my self adjusting the framer between the two.

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on November 10, 2004, 05:51 PM:

Buy the way, I pass the famous "Exorcist House" and that long creepy stairway next to it almost every day. If any of my fellow forum members ever come through Washington DC, let me known and I can give you easy directions to it. [Eek!]

Nick.

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