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DVD Review: The Exorcist - The Complete Anthology
By Dave Dreher
Oct 31, 2006, 00:33

There are very few things that freak me out but the big one, the movie that makes me uncomfortable just thinking about it is The Exorcist. Everything about that masterful film just makes my skin crawl and really give me the heebie jeebies. I remember as a small kid finding my mothers copy of the book hidden in the linen closet. It had that purple cover with the picture that looked like some kind of medical photo, it looked like it was shot down someone’s throat and you could see a shape, a thing, it looked kind of human but not really. Even today some 40 or so years later when I think of The Exorcist I still think of finding that book.

Anyway, the film is the thing of legend and it spawned a number of sequels, all of which never lived up to the original, not that anything could. The last few entries into the saga had an interesting little life of their own as two different directors took a stab at the project and both versions ended up getting released. Well, those fine folks over at Warner Brothers have gone and compiled the entire series, all 6 films and released them in one must have box set of evil.

The Exorcist - The Complete Anthology gives you the original classic and also the newer Version You’ve Never Seen, The Exorcist II, The Exorcist III and both prequels, Exorcist - The Beginning and Dominion - A Prequel To The Exorcist. That is a lot of Exorcist!!

Warner Brothers has done a wonderful job of putting together the collection. I love the packaging and the way that both version of the original movie and then both versions of the prequel are together on respective discs. Special feature are plentiful and very well done. Here is a listing of the disc specs and special feature:

DVD Features:

Disc 1: The Exorcist
This is the same flipper disc from the original Special Edition release

Side A:
Intro and commentary by William Friedkin Commentary by William Peter Blatty and Special Sound Effects Tests

Side B:
The Fear of God: The Making of the Exorcist
Interviews, Storyboards, Production Sketches
Original Ending
Theatrical Trailer
TV Spots

Disc 2: The Exorcist "The Version You've Never Seen"
Commentary by William Peter Blatty
Trailer, TV Spots and Raidio Spots

Disc 3: Exorcist II: The Heretic
Alternate Opening Sequence
Theatrical Trailer

Disc 4: Exorcist III
Theatrical Trailer

Disc 5: Exorcist: The Beginning
Commentary by Renny Harlin
Behind-the-scenes Featurette
Theatrical Trailer

Disc 6: Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist
Commentary by Paul Schrader
Additional Scenes
Stills Gallery

This box set is one that should be in the collection of any horror fan.