The Exorcist is a 1973 US horror by William Friedkin. With Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow and Linda Blair.
Passed 18 uncut for 1974 cinema release. A video release was informally
banned by the BBFC for many years. Later released uncut. A Director's Cut turned up for DVD.
Actress Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) has every reason to be content, having just completed a film with director Burke Dennings (Jack MacGowran). However, she becomes disturbed by the
changes taking place in her 12-year-old daughter, Regan (Linda Blair). At first sullen and withdrawn, Regan becomes aggressive and blasphemous, and ugly welts appear on her face and body. No medical cure is forthcoming, and after Burke is killed by being
thrown from Regan's window, Chris turns to local Jesuit priest Father Damien Karras (Jason Miller) for help. Karras then calls in exorcist Father Lankester Merrin (Max von Sydow), who confirms that Regan is possessed by the devil. William Peter Blatty's
screenplay, based on his own novel inspired by actual events, won an Oscar, and the film was deemed so powerful that it was refused a BBFC certificate for fifteen years.
Versions
Altered Director's Cut
run:
132:02s
pal:
126:45s
UK: The Altered Director's Cut was passed 18
uncut for:
2023 Warner Bros 50th Anniversary Edition [Theatrical Version + Director's Cut] R0 4K Blu-ray
at UK Amazon #ad
From IMDb. The Director's Cut includes the following additions and changes:
A slightly different opening, which shows the MacNeil's home in Georgetown, then cuts to the opening titles.
The scene where Chris MacNeil screams on the phone includes a new music cue and omits the line "I've been on this fucking line
for 20 minutes!" and simply cuts to the next scene.
A new scene with Regan at the hospital receiving treatment to diagnose her "unusual" behavior. The doctor tells Chris MacNeil that Regan told him to "keep his hands away
from her Goddamn cunt." This scene sets up her bizarre behavior earlier and clarifies the scene where Chris tells Regan "it's just like the doctor said, it's just nerves. You just take your pills and you'll be fine"
The party
scene removes the shot of Regan lauging with the guests, obviously because of her "unusual" behavior in the previous scene.
In the scene where Chris returns home and the lights go out, new digital effects including satanic faces and
images of the statue, new sound effects, and music have been added to the scene.
The "spider-walk" scene has been restored and digitally altered from the original scene. Here, crude wires from the scene have been digitally removed, she
comes down the stairs much faster, and her mouth is full of blood. It then cuts to black, and the next scene opens.
Before she grabs the psychiatrist's crotch, a new digital effect of her face morphing into the devil(which is seen in subliminal
cuts throughout)including a new growl has been added.
A new music cue has been added to the scene with Lt. Kinderman and Father Karras.
After Father Karras leaves for the night, a new scene of him examining a tape of Regan trying to
talk to her dad has been added and a new music cues ties the new scene and the scene of Father Karras at the mass together.
New scenes with Sharon trying to tune out the devil groans and a short moment with Chris MacNeil and Father Merrin(which
hints his vulnerability and weakness) have been added.
A new music cue has been added to the scene with Father Karras and Father Merrin going up the stairs to perform the exorcism, and a short scene has been added before they enter the room.
Father Damien asks Chris MacNeil what Regan's middle name is. She tells him it's Theresa, and he says "what a lovely name."
The scene with Father Karras and Father Merrin talking on the stairs (which was included on the 25th
Anniversary DVD) has been restored.
When Father Karras looks up at the window when he's possessed, a new digital effect with Karras' mother's face has been added, and the scene includes the "subtle morph effect" that was included on
the 25th anniversary edition DVD.
When Chris MacNeil gives Father Dyer Father Karras' medal, he gives it back to her and says "I think you should keep it", instead of simply keeping it as in the original version. A new short scene of
Regan smiling and waving at Father Dyer as they drive away and Father Dyer waving back has been added.
The original ending with Father Dyer and Lt. Kinderman has been restored. The 'tubular bells' music cue plays over them walking away, and it
ends before Lt. Kinderman can say quote "Casablanca", "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship".
uncut Theatrical Version
run:
121:33s
pal:
116:41s
UK: The Theatrical Version was passed 18 without BBFC cuts for:
2010 Warner [Theatrical + Altered Director's Cut] R0 Blu-ray at UK Amazon
1999 Warner R2 DVD
1999 Harbottle & Lewis VHS
1990 cinema release
1974 cinema release
UK: The Theatrical Version was released on pre-cert video for:
1982 Warner Rental VHS
1980 Warner Rental VHS
US: The Theatrical Version is MPAA R Rated for:
2023 Warner 50th Anniversary Edition [Extended + Theatrical Versions] R0 4K Blu-ray at US
Amazon #ad
2014 Warner
[Theatrical + Altered Director's Cut] Exorcist Complete Anthology RA Blu-ray at US
Amazon
2013 Warner [Theatrical + Altered Director's Cut] 40th Anniversary Edition RA Blu-ray
at US Amazon
2010 Warner [Theatrical + Altered Director's Cut] R0 Blu-ray
at US Amazon
By the time Ferman had been replaced as director by Duval the video was passed with the following justification:
The film version was originally given an 'X' certificate
in 1974 and has been widely shown since then. In the 1970s, however, incidents of hysteria involving young women led to some concern that the film might cause severe emotional problems particularly among those who believed in the reality of demonic
possession. It was with this concern in mind that the BBFC in the 1980s and early 1990s concluded that a video classification - even with an '18' rating (which could not entirely exclude the possibility of the work being seen by younger and susceptible
viewers) - was inappropriate.
It must be acknowledged, however, that there is little if any hard evidence known to the BBFC that The Exorcist has, in its video form, caused actual
harm to its viewers. The video version was in fact widely available for many years before the Video Recordings Act 1984 introduced the requirement of BBFC classification. The recent re-release of the film version by Warner Brothers has, moreover, been
accompanied by none of the hysteria or audience disturbance which occurred in the mid-1970s.
The Exorcist has been available on video uncut for many years in other European
countries, notably Germany (rated for 16 year olds) and Sweden (rated for 14 year olds) where the protection of the young is considered particularly important.
The Video Recordings Act places on
the BBFC a duty to have special regard (among other relevant factors) to any harm that may be caused to potential viewers or, through their behaviour, to society by the manner in which the work deals with, for example, violent or horrific behaviour or
incidents or human sexual activity. The Board must consider as a potential viewer any person (including a child or young person) who is likely to view the video.
The BBFC must also apply the
requirements of Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights, now accepted as British law. Inter alia, these impose a duty to preserve freedom of expression, with the relevant restrictions being "for the prevention of disorder or crime (or)
for the protection of health or morals". Alongside these, there is a duty to observe the principle of proportionality: any restriction on the basic duty of freedom of expression should have a proportional justification.
The BBFC concluded that The Exorcist , while still a powerful and compelling work, no longer has the same impact as it did 25 years ago. Film technique and special effects have moved on a long way since
then, and audiences - including (or especially) teenagers brought up on a range of modern multi- media output - are less likely to be affected. Correspondingly, the potential of The Exorcist to disturb a small, impressionable minority must be
significantly diminished.
The BBFC has also considered the likely effects of The Exorcist 's current reputation. We cannot discount the possibility that, however restrictive its
classification, under-age persons may seek ways to view it. On the other hand, both the name and the nature of this film are familiar to most people: its reputation should prompt many parents and guardians to be more alert to that possibility than would
normally be the case.
On balance, therefore, and after careful consideration, the Board has concluded that the video version of The Exorcist should be classified - but at a level which minimises
the likelihood of the work being viewed by young and impressionable persons.
banned
banned
UK: Banned by a few local authorities, notably Bradford, Worthing and Torbay for:
1974 cinema release
UK: The film was unofficially banned by the BBFC from the time the VRA became effective for already released videos in 1988 until it was finally released on home video in 1999.
The BBFC website in December
1998 noted the absence of video releases:
The film itself still shows quite regularly in cinemas but we have not yet classified the video, nor has it ever been shown on television, including subscription
television. The problem is not the frightening nature of the story but the combination of the themes with which it deals and the very powerful treatment it is given in this version.
Showings of this film have
resulted in severe emotional problems among a small but worrying number of adults who do believe in the reality of demonic possession and satanic practices. A video or television showing would inevitably attract many young teenagers, some of whom would
be, more even than adults, susceptible to this sort of material, since they might well identify with the central character, a 12-year-old girl. Newspaper reports and letters in our files indicate the very real and serious disturbance that can result and
we feel uneasy about being a party to this sort of psychological damage. It is partly because the film is so convincing and effective that it can be so disturbing for some.
It is hard for those of us who do not
give credence to the possibility of possession to appreciate how powerful an influence this can evidently exert on those who do. At a time when charges of satanic abuse appear fairly regularly in the press and alleged instances have been reported and
when an Act was passed in Parliament, the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act (1994), which specifically requires the Board "to have special regard to any harm that may be caused to potential viewers, or, through their behaviour, to society by the
manner in which the work deals with, for example, horrific incidents", there are added reasons to be cautious. Eventually, perhaps the time will come to release THE EXORCIST on video, but we are not convinced that this is that moment, particularly
at a time when many parents allow their children to see videos unsupervised, according to the latest research.
UK : Banned from Sky TV
In the 1990s,, Sky TV wanted to show The Exorcist on TV. The idea was
championed by future BBFC director, Robin Duval, working at the time at Sky. However James Ferman petitioned that it would be odd that it could be shown on TV whilst being banned on video, and Sky backed down.
UK: The
shortened US Theatrical Version was passed 18 without BBFC cuts for:
1987 Warner VHS
1977 cinema release
After a presumably poor response to the premiere, the director rapidly created a shortened version for US general cinema release.
From IMDb: The film was shortened as follows:
A faster re-working of the theme music
An introduction was added to recap The Exorcist.
In the opening, Burton's touching of Merrin's picture is cut. The tap-dancing scene with Linda Blair had been completely cut.
Just
about all conversation between Burton and the cardinal has been cut.
The hypnosis scene is mercifully edited.
A few lines are cut when Blair talks with the autistic girl.
The church top communion scene is almost completely cut
The line Let me reach you , spoken by Blair, is dubbed out.
There is more stock footage to be seen when Linda Blair enters her old bedroom, Stock footage of her yelling Fill It UP! from the first film and a face dissolving
scene with Blair in black lipstick.
The line, Be joined with us father has been completely cut.
The next three or four scenes have been mixed around as well, leaving the scene with Fletcher yelling HELP edited out.
The infamous ending of course, has Burton dying, instead of living, and Blair and Fletcher just looking at each other with artificial looks of grief on their faces.
The Exorcist III is a 1990 USA horror mystery thriller by William Peter Blatty. Starring George C Scott, Ed Flanders and Brad Dourif.
No BBFC or MPAA censor cuts. The Film exists as a Theatrical Cut and a Legion Director's Cut.
Summary Notes
Lt. Kinderman and Father Dyer cheer each other up on the anniversary of the
death of their mutual friend, Father Damien Karras, by going to see "It's a Wonderful Life" at the local theater in Georgetown, near Washington D.C. But there's no cheering Kinderman while a particularly cruel and gruesome serial killer is at
large. His murders, which involve torture, decapitation and the desecration of religious icons, is bad enough; but they also resemble those of the Gemini Killer, who has been dead for fifteen years.
Legion
Director's Cut
Legion Director's Cut
run:
104:29s
pal:
100:18s
UK: Passed 15 uncut for strong violence,
horror:
2019 Arrow Films [Legion Director's Cut + Theatrical Version] (RB) Blu-ray at UK Amazon
US: The Director's Cut is MPAA Unrated for:
2023 SHOUT! FACTORY Collector's Edition [Theatrical Cut + Legion Director's Cut.] R0 4K Blu-ray/(RA) Blu-ray Combo
at US Amazon #ad
2016 Shout! Factory [Theatrical + Director's Cut] Collector's Edition
(RA) Blu-ray at US Amazon
In speaking to the process of creating the director's cut for this 2016 Shout! Factory release, Blu-ray producer Cliff MacMillan states:
We conducted an exhaustive search through a pallet of film assets from the
original shoot to re-create William Peter Blatty's intended vision. Unfortunately, that footage has been lost to time. To that end, we turned to VHS tapes of the film's dailies to assemble the director's cut. However, even some of that footage was
incomplete, so scenes from the theatrical re-shoot were used to fill in the gaps. This director's cut is a composite of varying footage quality from the best available sources.
Theatrical Version
Theatrical Cut
run:
109:38s
pal:
105:15s
UK: The Theatrical Cut was passed 15 uncut for:
2019 Arrow Films [Legion Director's Cut + Theatrical Version] (RB) Blu-ray at UK Amazon
2002 Warner Home video
UK: The Theatrical Cut was passed 18 uncut for:
1991 CBS/Fox VHS
1990 cinema release
US: The Theatrical Cut is uncut and MPAA R rated for:
2023 SHOUT! FACTORY Collector's Edition [Theatrical Cut + Legion Director's Cut.] R0 4K Blu-ray/(RA) Blu-ray Combo
at US Amazon #ad
2016 Shout! Factory [Theatrical + Director's Cut] (RA) Blu-ray
at US Amazon
Exorcist: The
Beginning is a 2004 USA horror mystery thriller by Renny Harlin. Starring Stellan Skarsgard, Izabella Scorupco and James D'Arcy.
Uncut in the UK and US.
Summary Notes
Paul Schrader was originally hired as director of Exorcist: The Beginning (2004), but Morgan Creek ultimately rejected his psychological thriller approach, saying it was commercially unmarketable . The decision was made
to extensively rewrite and re-shoot the script, re-cast several roles, add new characters and give the director's chair to Renny Harlin.
Africa, 1949 and Father Merrin (Stellan Skarsgård), his faith shattered by World War II,
journeys to Kenya to join an archaeological dig that has uncovered a Byzantine church mysteriously untouched by the ravages of time. But an even greater mystery awaits: an ancient and horrific evil is now awakened and a soul-shattering death spree
begins. Can Merrin summon the faith and courage to defeat humanity's oldest and most powerful foe?
Versions
uncut
MPAA
108:40s
UK: Passed 15 uncut for strong bloody violence and sex references for:
2015 Warner Complete Anthology RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist is a 2005 USA horror thriller by Paul Schrader. Starring Stellan Skarsgård, Gabriel Mann and Clara Bellar.
Uncut in the UK and US.
Summary Notes
Paul Schrader was originally hired as director of Exorcist: The Beginning (2004), but Morgan Creek ultimately rejected his psychological
thriller approach, saying it was commercially unmarketable . The decision was made to extensively rewrite and re-shoot the script, re-cast several roles, add new characters and give the director's chair to Renny Harlin. Schrader's version was
originally supposed to be released direct to video, as a bonus feature on the DVD release of Harlin's version. However, in the wake of Exorcist: The Beginning (2004)'s box office failure, Morgan Creek abandoned this idea, allowing Schrader to present his
version at several film festivals, as well as giving it a small scale theatrical release in several countries under a new title (Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist). Schrader's version also received support from William Peter Blatty, who said to The
Houston Chronicle that Schrader's version is a handsome, classy, elegant piece of work.
Africa, 1949 and Father Merrin (Stellan Skarsgård), his faith shattered by World War II, journeys to Kenya to join an archaeological
dig that has uncovered a Byzantine church mysteriously untouched by the ravages of time. But an even greater mystery awaits: an ancient and horrific evil is now awakened and a soul-shattering death spree begins. Can Merrin summon the faith and courage to
defeat humanity's oldest and most powerful foe?
Versions
uncut
run:
115:40s
pal:
111:02s
UK: Passed 15 uncut for strong
violence for:
2015 Warner Complete Anthology RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
The Exorcist: Believer is a 2023 US horror by David Gordon
Green Starring Lafortune Joseph, Leslie Odom Jr. and Gastner Legerme
There are no censorship issues with this release
Summary Notes
When two girls disappear into the woods and return three days later with no memory of what happened to them, the father of one girl seeks out Chris MacNeil, who's been forever altered by what happened to
her daughter fifty years ago.
Versions
uncut
run:
110:59s
pal:
106:33s
UK: Uncut and BBFC 15 rated for strong horror, violence, injury detail, very strong language:
