MovieChat Forums > The Exorcist III (1990) Discussion > Definitely prefer the theatrical version

Definitely prefer the theatrical version

posted 7 years ago by kgb383
10 replies | jump to latest

I've been hearing about this supposedly superior cut of Exorcist III for years. However, now that I've seen it (or something close to it), I can totally see why they wanted to reshoot. The theatrical version's climactic scene, for all its schlock content, is at least a climax. This DC just...ends. It's totally anticlimactic in the worst way. There's no build up, no tension at all, apart from the scene with the nurse at Kinderman's house. The theatrical might be a little over the top, but it at least ties its finale back to something akin to the original Exorcist's ending, namely Damien sacrificing himself as a means of banishing this demon back to hell.

Plus, I really prefer having Jason Miller playing Damien in between scenes with Dourif as The Gemini. It makes so much more sense, particularly for something intending to be a true sequel to the first Exorcist. I would never have bought Dourif as Damien. It just doesn't feel right at all. Maybe that's because I've been watching the theatrical cut for so long, but I suspect not. Replacing an actor with another actor for a sequel is rarely a smooth transition and this is no exception.

I also thought Dourif's performance in the theatrical cut was much better. He's far more sedate in this DC, which doesn't fit the character and his situation. The Gemini is supposed to have been trapped in a broken body for 15 years. That, on top of already being a psycho killer, makes Dourif's intensely manic performance in the theatrical much more appropriate. He should be completely on the edge after being so stifled for all that time.

Anyway, that's my two cents. Still a quality Blu-ray and an excellent transfer of the film. I'm so glad we have this now.

If you disagree, well, so be it.

[–] bastasch8647 7 years ago

Thanks very much for sharing all that. Although I have not yet seen the new DC, I feel the same way that you do about the theatrical version - I "need" Jason Miller to be there playing both the Gemini and Damien himself. I also love having Dourif playing the Gemini - he brings an evil alienness to the role, as if he's not just a dead serial killer, but one who has been touched by "the Master...those cruel ones on the other side". Also, I think your point about the Gemini's long frustration with being "trapped in a broken body for 15 years". It almost, but not quite, makes me feel sorry for him.

Thanks for the review and the data.

:)

[–] TheSolarSailor 7 years ago

Yes, I agree. I felt exactly the same way. My brother said that he likes the Director's Cut ending because it fits thematically with the story being told, and I can see his point. He goes on to point out, though, that while the idea of ending it that way is a good one, it was filmed badly. He said it is very flat and lacks any buildup. I really appreciated his opinion, and I think he hit the nail on the head. The same finale, reshoot with a bit more effort, could have felt more complete and better.

You make good points about the importance of Jason Miller. I agree. I think Brad did an excellent job in the original cut, but for those who are watching this as a sequel and not a stand-alone film (like my brother, who has seen The Exorcist long ago but had nothing invested in it while viewing this film). Jason Miller makes that connection, and it is much needed. I think it worked a lot better to have Jason in the scenes, with Brad actually being more of a physical manifestation of James Venamun.

In any case, I love getting to see alternate cuts of films like this. Even if I don't prefer it over the theatrical cut, I am overjoyed to have it. It is a great Bluray set with tons of great special features!

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I am not a fan. I just happen to enjoy movies. Fans are embarrassing.

[–] apollo86 7 years ago

Yes, it's ironic that after all this time the general consensus is that the TC is the superior version, and that the re-shoots were warranted. It's fascinating to see what Dourif was going for in each version, if his Gemini performance in the TC is Charles Manson then the DC is Jeffrey Dahmer! ;)

[–] TheSolarSailor 7 years ago

But from what I gather on the special features, everyone involved preferred the original idea and wasn't crazy about the new content. George C. Scott, William Peter Blatty, Brad Dourif...they all seem to regret having to make the changes. It is very ironic that despite their feelings, the end result is that the theatrical cut works better overall. The demon itself is more prominent throughout the theatrical version, and I think the film needs that. For all intents and purposes, the director's cut is the Gemini's story.

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I am not a fan. I just happen to enjoy movies. Fans are embarrassing.

[–] kgb383 7 years ago

Another thing I really missed with the DC is Kinderman's moment of belief when he's trapped against the wall. George C. Scott's impassioned rebuke of the Gemini and those demonic forces he's in league with, as well as the horrible murders he witnessed and all the pain this has brought him, becomes perhaps the most important element in bringing the story full circle. Earlier in the movie we see Kinderman very much jaded and almost flippant when it comes to the death of people. He has no belief at all - certainly not in a god. And then this horrific moment happens to him and he's transformed. It's probably the only real character development in the film. One could even argue the restoration of Kinderman's faith is the underlying theme of the movie, which makes the absence of Scott's rebuke yet another reason why the DC's ending is so abrupt and unsatisfying.

If you disagree, well, so be it.

[–] TheSolarSailor 7 years ago

Very well stated, kgb383. I agree completely.

- - - - - - -
I am not a fan. I just happen to enjoy movies. Fans are embarrassing.

[–] AFriendOfMrWhite 7 years ago

I agree with everything you said. On top of that, I didn't like much the way they reorganized the first scenes of the movie, but that might just be me accostumed to the athletes rowing followed by Father Dyer staring at the staircase - just love these scenes, they immediately give you a sense of eeriness right at the beginning of the film. Starting with "Tubular Bells" in black and white seemed a bit... overcooked.

Having said that, I enjoyed all the new scenes, specially the one in which Kinderman and the priest have a conversation about Brother Fain.

[–] TheReelMcCoy 7 years ago

Having just watched the director's cut, I can safely say...yeah, not a fan. It was interesting to see the added scenes, but I can certainly see why they were cut. Couldn't agree more with what's already been stated.

[–] pretentiousanderson 7 years ago

Replacing an actor with another actor for a sequel is rarely a smooth transition and this is no exception.

Why are you seemingly ok with George C. Scott replacing Lee J. Cobb then?

[–] kgb383 7 years ago

Well, Cobb was long dead, so they didn't have much of a choice. If Cobb had a bigger role in The Exorcist it might have been different. Fortunately Kinderman was a relatively minor element in the original movie.

If you disagree, well, so be it.