The Exorcist III Collector's Edition Blu-ray Review

Fifteen years ago, Georgetown was caught in the grip of a maniac known only as the Gemini Killer. He was eventually captured and brought to justice with the help of Detective Lieutenant Bill Kinderman. Today is the anniversary of the execution of this madman, but the detective has deeper sorrows on his mind as it is also the date on which a dear friend, Father Damien Karras, fell to his death down a flight of stairs. Kinderman makes an annual point of spending this day with his friend Father Dyer. Also weighing on Kinderman is a current crop of religious murders that bear a familiar calling card that only the detective notices. When his friend is hospitalized, Kinderman crosses paths with the mysterious Patient X, and is immediately haunted by his appearance. X reveals private details about the Gemini killings to Kinderman and urges him to go to the press. Meanwhile, the current wave of murders is spiraling out of control as the bodies pile up both around the city and within the hospital.

William Peter Blatty shot to stardom with his best-selling novel The Exorcist that tells of two priests fighting for the soul of a young girl possessed by the Devil himself. The subsequent film version directed by William Friedkin went on to break box office records and is widely viewed as “the scariest movie ever made”. Inevitably a sequel was released without the input of Blatty or Friedkin and it predictably tanked as audiences laughed the premise off the screen. By this time, the author had moved on and was busy with his next novel The Ninth Configuration, an existential tale filled with theological dilemmas and complicated characters. He stepped behind the camera to direct the film adaptation and earned high marks and critical praise for his efforts. Blatty returned to horror for his next book Legion, a quiet companion piece to The Exorcist. When Hollywood came calling once again, he opted to direct the picture himself.

The Exorcist III is a complex tale of theological conflict using peripheral characters from the original film. Stepping into the role originated by the late Lee J. Cobb, George C. Scott (The Changeling) stars as Lt. Kinderman. He brings a wry sense of humor to the character, a welcome touch of levity in an otherwise deadly serious picture. Scott is in almost every scene and is only matched in strength by the powerhouse performance of Brad Dourif (Sonny Boy) as The Gemini Killer. Dourif is breathtaking as he effortlessly navigates a series of complicated monologues that question man’s nature and the power of faith. His screen time is split with actor Jason Miller (The Ninth Configuration), whose character (Patient X) shares a body with the Gemini. The two actors are intercut as Kinderman conducts his investigation. Ed Flanders (Salem’s Lot) is the voice of reason in an increasingly chaotic world as Father Dyer. He brings a calming presence to the film that is as necessary as the moments of humor he brings to his scenes with Scott.

Exorcist III ran into trouble when studio executives were unhappy with the finished product and ordered additional material be filmed to punch up the ending. Actor Nicol Williamson (Excalibur) was brought in as Father Morning, a priest who conveniently shows up in the last reel to perform an exorcism. Blatty has been famously disappointed by the changes forced upon him and fans of the film will be happy to know an edit of his Director’s Cut version is included as part of this release. Even with the new ending, Exorcist III is a pretty awesome film. It takes its time setting up the scares with deliberate pacing, but fans of richly-developed characters will be rewarded once the screws are properly tightened. Blatty’s script tackles much more than just a story of good vs. evil and slyly addresses many additional issues in a thoughtful way. If the original movie dealt with a child in peril, this one focuses on the elderly in a very disturbing manner. Audiences familiar with the movie undoubtedly remember a few key giant scares and I am happy to say they are every bit as effective today as they were in 1990.