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

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Ronald J Epstein

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Wasn’t this the movie that was so hilariously bad it basically was laughed out of the theatres? I remember watching it and hearing about 1/2 of the audience laughing at the “scary” parts and heckling the screen.

TJPC said:

Wasn’t this the movie that was so hilariously bad it basically was laughed out of the theatres? I remember watching it and hearing about 1/2 of the audience laughing at the “scary” parts and heckling the screen.

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Yup - winner of numerous golden turkey awards, an absolute classic for connoisseurs of extremely bad movies. It's very funny indeed. And it makes an excellent double bill with Zardoz, also by John Boorman. Now I can throw away the Warner disc, which has a rotten transfer. I am surprised and delighted.

I remember them bicycling the LA prints to the editing room to make cuts after the opening day.

If you think about it, this may be the movie that invented the direct-to-video cash in sequel. Just without the DTV part

Watch it! Pazuzu will be hot on your trail if you malign him!

I remember that the film was pulled and re-edited shortly after its initial release. Have we confirmed that this new Blu-Ray is the original, "so bad it's good" version?

RichMurphy said:

I remember that the film was pulled and re-edited shortly after its initial release. Have we confirmed that this new Blu-Ray is the original, "so bad it's good" version?

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According to Scream Factory's Facebook page, both cuts are on there (presumably one on each disc):

Extras and specs are still in progress and will be announced later in August. However, we can confirm today that we will have a new high-definition transfer of two cuts of the film! (The 117 min version that has been on Blu-ray and DVD before and a shorter, alternate version that was created after the film’s initial release in 1977.) You’ll also be happy to know that we have a brand-new interview with ‘Regan’ herself, actress Linda Blair!

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https://www.facebook.com/ScreamFact...961936407493/1218855691584773/?type=3&theater

1977 was the time I went to see it on a double bill with the first movie, however I was somewhat late to see the first film so sat thru the second one first. The cinema staff kindly let me stay in the auditorium to catch the first film so I didn't miss the plot although that could be argued

Always liked number 2 which was sort of tapped into with Brainstorm 1983 a little perhaps as with a few others electrode wise. Richard was often on the bottle reportedly during filming which must have troubled the director and crew and its also interesting to note Heretic was the only sequel to make money during its early box office. May have to delve into the money box for this Blu-Ray.

Well Scream Factory is known for releasing its share of *bad* movies, and this isn't unfamiliar territory for them. I have some of their *bad* movies, that Ill keep until I no longer enjoy them

I wonder if Scream Factory is planning on assembling an Exorcist box set?

Lord Dalek said:

I wonder if Scream Factory is planning on assembling an Exorcist box set?

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I was thinking that but I can't see them getting the rights to the original.

haineshisway said:

I remember them bicycling the LA prints to the editing room to make cuts after the opening day.

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Was there anything left when they were finished?

Exorcist II is not a good film, but it's an interesting film. I'd love to read an in-depth book about the making of the film, simply because a film this bonkers has to have a good backstory. I'm a big fan of John Boorman and can appreciate his directorial touch, but I think most of the fault lies with WB for hiring a guy like Boorman, who, love him or hate him, was unique to helm a studio-mandated sequel. Exorcist II isn't a film I can watch often, but I've gone back to it several times and am never bored.

None of the Exorcist movies are any good, including and especially the ludicrously overrated original. 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.

It says something about a franchise that The Exorcist sequels have quality releases and the first film still doesn't have its Oscar winning mono mix available.

Brian Kidd said:

Exorcist II is not a good film, but it's an interesting film. I'd love to read an in-depth book about the making of the film, simply because a film this bonkers has to have a good backstory. I'm a big fan of John Boorman and can appreciate his directorial touch, but I think most of the fault lies with WB for hiring a guy like Boorman, who, love him or hate him, was unique to helm a studio-mandated sequel. Exorcist II isn't a film I can watch often, but I've gone back to it several times and am never bored.

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Rospo Pallenberg's wife wrote an in-depth "Making of" book which was published during the original release, but it's long out-of-print. There are also supposedly a lot of deleted scenes that never even made Boorman's original cut, and there was a big planned effects sequence featuring Regan as a demon that was either never filmed, or filmed and cut, although Dick Smith apparently did finish his effects work in preparation for the scene either way.

Vincent

mBen989 said:

It says something about a franchise that The Exorcist sequels have quality releases and the first film still doesn't have its Oscar winning mono mix available.

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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

mBen989 said:

It says something about a franchise that The Exorcist sequels have quality releases and the first film still doesn't have its Oscar winning mono mix available.

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

Vincent_P said:

Boorman's wife wrote an in-depth "Making of" book which was published during the original release, but it's long out-of-print. There are also supposedly a lot of deleted scenes that never even made Boorman's original cut, and there was a big planned effects sequence featuring Reagan as a demon that was either never filmed, or filmed and cut, although Dick Smith apparently did finish his effects work in preparation for the scene either way.

Vincent

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Looks like the cheapest copy on Amazon is around $25. Tempted, but a paperback that is that old and wasn't exactly on acid-free paper is probably in pretty rough shape. Still... it sounds fascinating. I may break down and get a copy.