Video Release Comparison: The Exorcist (1973) Exorcism on 6 Prior Video Releases - LaserDisc to 4K

The 1997 DVD of The Exorcist, the premiere of the film on that then-new format, was the last time the original opening logo and color timing were presented for the film on video. The 1998 25th anniversary DVD release introduced all-new color timing for the exorcism, further modified in 2000 for the “Version You’ve Never Seen” theatrical reissue (now referred to as the “Extended Director’s Cut”). This drastically altered timing, similar to what was performed on the critically-lambasted first 2008 Blu-ray release of William Friedkin’s The French Connection (1971), involves blurring the color layer and over saturating it as shown here: • Color Timing The Frenc... The result on every release of The Exorcist since 1998 is a soft bluish mess, nothing like how the film was presented for its first 25 years. Even releases of the “original theatrical version” have this revised palette.
The 2001 “Version You’ve Never Seen” and successive DVD releases are not included as they follow the same revised color grade introduced in 1998 and are represented by the Blu-ray and 4K releases.

[@dougr.8653]

I can’t stand the colour timing from the new 4K releases. It’s incredible how film studios love ruining great flicks with the most bland teal filter.

[@ChuckPenn3]

It’s been messed up since 1998. Everyone who has seen the film for the past 25 years has seen it altered unless they were watching an old release. :-(

[@MyersRe-Cuts78]

i wish we could just have an HD release with original color grading.

[@ChuckPenn3]

I hear you - and without the additional gimmickry

[@benhaynes4409]

Its like deciding which instagram filter to use

[@peterliddell7395]

Thanks for uploading, it would be interesting to see the 1998 wide-screen laserdisc too

[@ChuckPenn3]

It uses the same transfer as the 1998 DVD so why bother?

[@peterliddell7395]

@@ChuckPenn3 It is nice to see the progression of laserdisc transfers.
Thanks

[@MaxwellBradshaw]

This is awesome. Thanks for sharing!

[@rickifriki]

Great video man.

[@mnaryobimo8755]

Is there by any chance The Exorcist 1997 DVDRip circulating online?

[@crow9553]

Proud owner of the 1997 DVD. Would not watch The Exorcist any other way.

[@benpodvia5744]

i can't take this scene seriously after watching the beginning of scary movie 2.

[@Eva01-jy2qu7pu9r]

Remember everyone. Keep your older DVD's on hand. Just because its 4K doesn't mean it will be better

[@modernpeasants7]

1997 for the win.

[@g.sferrazza10-13]

Great I need a laser disk setup

[@ChuckPenn3]

No, but I would try to find the 1997 DVD release before the entire exorcism color timing was revised and filtered on every release after that.