Pre-Order Exorcist II: The Heretic Collector’s Edition (1977) (Blu-ray) Available for Preorder (1 Viewer)

[RichMurphy]

... there was a big planned effects sequence featuring Reagan as a demon...

Many Democrats would argue that you wouldn't need special effects for that, but we need to keep political discussions out of this thread.

 

[Charles Smith]

I'd love to see Criterion tackle the original and restore the original Warners logo, put back the "jump cut" at the end, and include the original mono mix as a viewing option. Also include the various revisions, and the late-1970s 70mm stereo mix, but the original, ORIGINAL version really should be preserved, not just the almost-original version on the current Blu-ray set.

Vincent

What is the “jump cut”?

 

[TravisR]

What is the “jump cut”?

When Karras fights off being possessed in the climax, it was changed on the special edition DVD (not the extended cut but the DVD that had special features in 1998[?]) from a jump cut of Jason Miller in makeup to Miller out of makeup. I'm sure Friedkin always wanted it to a more smooth transition between the two but I like the jerky nature of the original version. The change has been carried forward on every release since then but the original movie-only DVD release still has the jump cut.

 

[Vincent_P]

I don't mind the "smooth" morphing-version of the transition from Demon-to-Karras myself, but for the sake of purity, I think the original version should also be preserved.

Vincent

 

[Thomas T]

Alas, I've never grasped the "so bad it's good" mentality. To me, a film is either bad or it's good. The original Exorcist is a classic in the horror genre and though flawed, I liked the underrated Exorcist III. As for Exorcist II, I didn't remotely find it funny, just putrid. But hey, humor is a personal thing. I've been in packed houses where the audience is roaring with laughter while I'm thinking, "Man, this is so stupid!" and vice versa (I'm the only one laughing).

 

[WillG]

Nor does it have the very important Saul Bass logo at the start, which needs to be restored. It sets the mood beautifully.

Ironically the DVD of exorcist II has what looks like an original variation of the Saul Bass logo. But I take that as a case of Warner not even bothering to slap their modern logo in front of the film.

Also I thought I read something once where Linda Blair claimed that earlier versions of the script were much stronger than the finished product would suggest. Personally I couldn't imagine any improvements in earlier versions as anything more than marginal, but it's just what I heard. And I also read that William Peter Blatty was quite audibly laughing at the screening he attended.

 

[Vincent_P]

Ironically the DVD of exorcist II has what looks like an original variation of the Saul Bass logo. But I take that as a case of Warner not even bothering to slap their modern logo in front of the film.

Also I thought I read something once where Linda Blair claimed that earlier versions of the script were much stronger than the finished product would suggest. Personally I couldn't imagine any improvements in earlier versions as anything more than marginal, but it's just what I heard. And I also read that William Peter Blatty was quite audibly laughing at the screening he attended.

Yeah, she said that Rospo Pallenberg was constantly rewriting the film all through production and it just kept getting worse, and also that Pallenberg would constantly be whispering into Boorman's ear. I recall the interview where she talked about this and she said that Pallenberg practically co-directed the film.

I'd be interested in reading William Goodhart's original draft to see how much "better" it actually is.

Vincent

 

[Noel Aguirre]

Pazuzu!!
Outstanding Morricone soundtrack

 

[Noel Aguirre]

The best thing about this particular movie and the entire misbegotten franchise is Dana Plato playing a girl who's "auti-ti-tistic" and magically learns to talk when Regan walks in the room.

That would make sense if it were her spider walk.

 

[Coressel]

This website http://jabootu.net/?page_id=12829 used to have a drop dead hilarious review of E2. I've seldom laughed so hard at a movie review before in my life. Unfortunately, the review seems to have been deleted, but I remember the writer's description of Burton's "sweating and staring" performance and Max Von Sydow performing the exorcism in Africa in the "Temple of How the Hell do We get up There."

 

[WillG]

This website http://jabootu.net/?page_id=12829 used to have a drop dead hilarious review of E2. I've seldom laughed so hard at a movie review before in my life. Unfortunately, the review seems to have been deleted, but I remember the writer's description of Burton's "sweating and staring" performance and Max Von Sydow performing the exorcism in Africa in the "Temple of How the Hell do We get up There."

I may still have an MS Word copy of that review on my PC. Is it possible to post a file on this board.

That site also does a great analysis of of all 4 films in the Jaws series

 

[ScottBos]

There's a retrospective piece at www.thedigitalcinema.info

 

[Coressel]

I don't know how to do that, other than copying and pasting the text into the body of a message.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

"It's the most interesting of all [the films] because it takes chances
none of the other films are willing to risk."
- Cinepunx.com
THIS SEPTEMBER, EVIL - AND EXTRAS -- ABOUND
IN THE BLU-RAY COLLECTOR'S EDITION OF THE SEQUEL
TO ONE OF THE GREATEST HORROR FILMS OF ALL TIME

EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC

The ultimate 2-disc set from Scream Factory available on September 25, 2018
features new 2K scans for both theatrical versions, new audio commentary
from director John Boorman, an all-new interview with star Linda Blair,
rare, archival stills, theatrical trailers and more; consumers ordering
from shoutfactory.com receive a free 18x24 rolled poster
featuring brand new artwork

Following the enormous box-office success of its supernatural predecessor, EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC premiered in 1977 to deliver another dose of demonic possession to terrified audiences. And, on September 25, 2018, Scream Factory pays homage to this haunting sequel with the ultimate blu-ray collector's edition. The 2-disc set, featuring new 2K scans of both theatrical editions from original film elements, is also loaded with specially-created features including an interview with Linda Blair, audio commentary from director John Boorman and much more.

In EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC, bizarre nightmares plague Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair) four years after her possession and exorcism. Has the demon returned? And if so, can the combined faith and knowledge of a Vatican investigator (Richard Burton) and a research specialist (Louise Fletcher) free her from its grasp?
Employing production design and special effects that are dizzily exhilarating and a supporting cast (Max von Sydow, Paul Henreid, James Earl Jones) of compelling distinction, director Boorman (Deliverance) draws us into the tangible experience of evil. We fly with the demon, feel the African landscape vibrate and get engulfed in the terror of swarming locusts as the Exorcist franchise continues to weave its fascinating, frightful spell.
Fans eager to receive the set prior to its release are invited to order the collector's edition directly from shoutfactory.com; it will ship two weeks early and, while supplies last, the order will be accompanied by a free 18x24 rolled poster featuring Scream Factory's chilling new artwork.
EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC Special Features
DISC ONE (118 minute Cut):

• NEW 2K scan from original film elements
• NEW Audio Commentary with director John Boorman
• NEW Audio Commentary with project consultant Scott Bosco
• NEW What Does She Remember? - aninterview with actress Linda Blair
• NEW interview with editor Tom Priestley

DISC TWO (102 minute Cut):

• NEW 2K scan from original film elements
• NEW Audio Commentary with Mike White of The Projection Booth blog
• Teaser Trailer
• Theatrical Trailer
• Still Galleries - Color and B&W Stills, Behind-the-Scenes, Deleted Scene photos, Posters and Lobby Cards

WARNER BROS. PICTURES Presents
LINDA BLAIR RICHARD BURTON LOUISE FLETCHER MAX VON SYDOW In JOHN BOORMAN'S Film Of "EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC" A RICHARD LEDERER Production KITTY WINN PAUL HENREID As The Cardinal And JAMES EARL JONES Creative Associate ROSPO PALLENBERG Music Composed And Conducted By ENNIO MORRICONE Produced By JOHN BOORMAN and RICHARD LEDERER Written By WILLIAM GOODHART Directed By JOHN BOORMAN Read "The Making of EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC" from Warner Books Soundtrack Available on Warner Bros. Records