Review: The Exorcist III
Blu-ray: The Exorcist III (1990)
The Exorcist III is based on William Peter Blatty\’s 1983 novel \’Legion\’, and stars George C. Scott, Ed Flanders, Jason Miller, Scott Wilson and Brad Dourif.
Set 17 years after the original film, it follows a character from the first film: Lieutenant Kinderman. Kinderman is investigating a series of murders in the area, and it appears that they have a copycat serial killer on their hands of someone Kinderman sent to the electric chair years ago: the Gemini Killer.
The Exorcist III is an odd film, with a weird ‘add-on’ exorcism near the end (you can’t call a film Exorcist 3 with NO exorcism can you?). However it came to light that the film Morgan Creek released, was NOT Blatty’s vision or story, and that the exorcism WAS forced onto him by the studio.
This package includes the cinema version of the film with the daft add on exorcism and Jason Miller reprising his role as Father Karras, but it also has the director’s cut, which doesn’t feature the exorcism OR Jason Miller, but has more Brad Dourif and I much prefer it. It turns it into a more considered, spiritual and questioning narrative.
One major addition and perhaps the big selling point is the inclusion of a commentary on the director’s cut by Kim Newman and Mark Kermode. This is such an entertainingly wonderful addition it’s worth the price of the disc for this alone. Both Mark and Kim do a fabulous job of opening up the whole making of the film, stories, everything. One of the best commentaries I’ve heard. But then there isn’t much Kermode doesn’t know about these films!
The film looks great, and you can forgive the grainy bits in the director’s cut as it’s a miracle they survived!
TWO-DISC LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
- Two presentations of The Exorcist III: the theatrical cut and the ‘Legion’ director’s cut
- Original 2.0 stereo audio and optional 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Richard Wells
- Limited edition booklet with new writing on the film by Lee Gambin, archival articles and reviews
DISC ONE – THE THEATRICAL CUT
- 2K restoration of the theatrical cut of The Exorcist III, presented in High Definition
- New audio commentary by critics Alexandra Heller Nicholas and Josh Nelson
- Audio interview with writer/director William Peter Blatty
- Death, Be Not Proud: The Making of The Exorcist III, an in-depth 2016 documentary divided into five chapters:
– Chapter One: A “Wonderful” Time, an interview with producer Carter DeHaven and members of the supporting cast and production crew
– Chapter Two: Signs of the Gemini, an interview with actor Brad Dourif
– Chapter Three: The Devil in the Details, an interview with production designer Leslie Dilley and more
– Chapter Four: Music for a Padded Cell, an interview with composer Barry De Vorzon
– Chapter Five: All this Bleeding, interviews about the additional shoot and special effects
- The Exorcist III: Vintage Interviews, archival interviews with cast and crew members including William Peter Blatty, producer James Robinson, actors George C. Scott, Jason Miller, Grand L. Bush and Ed Flanders
- Falling Down a Long Flight of Steps, an interview with special effects artist Randy Moore
- The Exorcist III: Vintage Featurette, making-of documentary with onset footage and interviews
- Deleted scenes, alternate takes and bloopers
- Image galleries
- Trailers, TV spots and radio spots
DISC TWO – THE ‘LEGION’ DIRECTOR’S CUT
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the ‘Legion’ director’s cut, assembled from the best available film and video elements
- Brand new ‘Legion’ audio commentary with esteemed film critics Mark Kermode and Kim Newman
- Deleted Prologue, an alternate opening to ‘Legion’ with option audio commentary from Mark Kermode and Kim Newman
Review by Tina from a disc kindly supplied by Arrow Films.
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