The Exorcist

Because its story of a 12-year-old girl (Linda Blair) possessed by the devil quarries so deeply in the viewer's psyche, The Exorcist remains more psychologically chilling than any teenage slasher flick--even if it has become ever-so-slightly campy with age (and with that stupid subtitle). This newly remastered print is padded with cutting room floor footage (most notably Blair's "spider walk" down the staircase) and souped up with a digitally enhanced soundtrack and sound effects, some of which actually distract from the film's classic scariness. But its timeless ability to terrify remains, thanks in large part to its eerie performances from the barfing, barking, head-spinning Blair and Jason Miller as the religiously conflicted Father Karras, who must try to save her. DVD extras include a director's commentary from William Friedkin and theatrical trailers. Highly recommended. (R. Blackwelder)[Blu-ray Review—Oct. 26, 2010—Warner, 2 discs, 132 min., R, $34.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1973's The Exorcist sports a great transfer with DTS-HD 6.1 sound. Blu-ray extras on the extended director's cut version include audio commentary by director William Friedkin, a “Raising Hell” making-of featurette (30 min.), “Faces of Evil: The Different Versions of The Exorcist” (10 min.), a “Georgetown Then and Now” location featurette (9 min.), and trailers. The theatrical cut version features extras including two audio commentaries (the first with Friedkin; the second with producer-screenwriter William Peter Blatty), an intro by Friedkin (2 min.), “The Fear of God” 1998 documentary on the film (77 min.), an interview gallery with the filmmakers (9 min.), sketches and storyboards (3 min.), the original ending (2 min.), and trailers. The Blu-ray disc is packaged in a digi-book with photos, an essay, and trivia. Bottom line: a winning Blu-ray debut of a horror classic.]