The greatest horror film ever made

Rating: 10/10 (23 September 2000)

I never got a chance to see "The Exorcist" when it first came out in 1973. But how could I. I was only 2 years old when the film first hit theaters and broke box office records. The first time I saw this movie was on cable about 10 years after its release and I found it to be one of the most terrifying movies that I've ever seen. I have seen it more times on video and I even went out and bought a copy of the film. "The Exorcist" is one of my favorite movies of all time, and a couple of years ago I made a wish that someday the movie would get rereleased back in theaters so that I could go see it on the big screen. Well, my wish came true on September 22, 2000. This was the date that "The Exorcist" returned to theaters. However this time the movie is being called in the ads "The Version You've Never Seen". The new additions to this version of "The Exorcist" include 11 minutes of restored footage not seen in the original 1973 version, and new digitally restored sound and music. And the result, the movie is better than ever. "The Exorcist" is without a doubt the best horror movie ever made. This movie is so powerful that I still keep thinking about it. But what makes the movie so memorable now is the experience of seeing it on the big screen in a packed movie theater. Yes, the theater I saw it in was filled. "The Exorcist" will be adding several million dollars to its already $165 million gross and deservedly so. What is "The Exorcist" about? I'm sure everybody knows this question by now. It's about a movie actress who goes through an absolute nightmare when her 12-year-old daughter becomes possessed by the Devil, and two priests who attempt to drive the demon out of the poor girl. Since I'm sure everybody knows what happens during the course of this film, I won't say anymore. But I'll comment on the new additions to the film. I don't think the new footage hurts the film at all. The much talked about "spiderwalk" scene is especially creepy and to me was quite shocking. It reminded me of the first time I saw "The Exorcist" and all the shocks and scares it gave me upon seeing it with all of its disturbing images. The sound effects have been upped a notch, and it's very effective. Plus, the additional music gives the movie more tension. I very much welcome the new additions to "The Exorcist". As for everything else in the movie, it's perfect. The performances by Ellen Burstyn as the actress Chris MacNeil, Linda Blair as her possessed daughter Regan, Jason Miller as the troubled Father Karras, Max Von Sydow as Father Merrin (the exorcist), Kitty Winn as Chris' secretary Sharon, Lee J. Cobb as Lt. Kinderman, and Jack McGowran as Burke (the ill-fated director of Chris' movie) give brilliant, outstanding performances. I've rarely seen a horror film with so many good roles. This is thanks in part to William Friedkin's direction and William Peter Blatty's Oscar-winning screenplay (based on his novel). WHAT A JOB! All the technical aspects of the film are splendid. From the excellent cinematography to the fast-paced editing to the eerie music score to the scary sound effects to the freaky special effects, everything about this movie is great. "The Exorcist" is literally one scary ride of a motion picture that still has the power to frighten the hell out of us. A masterpiece of terror that's brilliantly told.
**** (out of four)