The Exorcist III: Legion
- 1990
- 1h 45m
William Peter Blatty's director's cut of "The Exorcist III" which was thought to be lost. Recovered and released in 2016 under its original title, this is the definitive cut of the film base... Read allWilliam Peter Blatty's director's cut of "The Exorcist III" which was thought to be lost. Recovered and released in 2016 under its original title, this is the definitive cut of the film based on his novel "Legion".William Peter Blatty's director's cut of "The Exorcist III" which was thought to be lost. Recovered and released in 2016 under its original title, this is the definitive cut of the film based on his novel "Legion".
- Kinderman
- (archive footage)
- Father Dyer
- (archive footage)
- Father Karras
- (archive footage)
- Dr. Temple
- (archive footage)
- Nurse Allerton
- (archive footage)
- Mrs. Kintry
- (archive footage)
- Second Dream Boy
- (archive footage)
- Nurse
- (archive footage)
- Shirley
- (archive footage)
- Thomas Kintry
- (archive footage)
- Sergeant Atkins
- (archive footage)
- Young Girl in Dream
- (archive footage)
- Father Kanavan
- (archive footage)
- Counter Attendant
- (archive footage)
- Old Man in Dream
- (archive footage)
- Dr. Bruno
- (archive footage)
- Nurse Bierce
- (archive footage)
- Stedman
- (archive footage)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDuring filming, the movie was titled "The Exorcist: 1989".
- Quotes
Father Karras: By the way, did you know that you're talking to an artist? I sometimes do special things to my victims. Things that are creative. Of course it takes knowledge and pride in your work. Did you know for example that decapitated heads can continue to see for approximately twenty seconds. So when I have one that's gawking I always hold it up so it can see it's body, it's a little extra I throw in for no added charge. I must admit it makes me chuckle every time but why should I have all the fun? I like to share. Of course I got no credit for that in the media, they only want to print the bad things about me. Now, is that fair?
Kinderman: Damien!
Father Karras: Don't shout, please. There are sick people in here. Observe the rules or I'll have you ejected.
- Crazy creditsJason Miller is credited despite not appearing in this version.
- ConnectionsEdited from The Exorcist III (1990)
In 'Legion', producers have opted to restore and recut what was left of source VHS tapes to revive 'lost scenes' which William Blatty originally desired to have in the final cut, in hopes of more accurately presenting on screen the events depicted in his novel of the same name. But there's just one big, glaring problem - the 'new' material, comprising raw and fossilized VHS footage, sticks out like a sore thumb and resembles more a 1970s budget British TV sitcom than it does anything to do with The Exorcist III. Naturally this is at odds with (and frankly sacrilege toward) the film's otherwise gorgeous aesthetic (much like Friedkin's The Exorcist, cinematogrophy in Exorcist III is thoroughly absorbing and influencing to the overall viewing experience).
The inclusion of this under-cooked and out of place VHS footage breaks the thick and claustrophobic atmosphere The Exorcist III is known for. The aesthetic and overall feel of the film is tarnished and subsequently the mood is killed - unacceptable in a psychological horror.
I'm sure there are many who will overlook this and still enjoy overall, but I fail to see why anyone in love with this particular vision of the story needn't skip this cut altogether and go straight to the source - the novel itself. Whilst it may be argued they add depth to the plot in the spirit of the novel, these 'recovered' scenes can't merely be overlooked due to their poor-quality on-screen production value which are cheap and disruptive.
It's a shame adequate time and investment wasn't afforded to a proper digital restoration of the VHS tapes. Perhaps Blatty should have waited longer to leave this project in the capable hands of a trustee, for a time in the future when technology allows for a better result. Had the extra material been added in more competently, it would have complemented the theatrical version and we would've been treated to a remarkable work; perhaps even a superior cut!
So how might this be problem be overcome? The solution is simple - the theatrical cut of The Exorcist III is one of the most brilliant and regrettably overlooked psychological horror flicks ever made. If you want to fully appreciate the vision of this story Blatty originally had in mind, don't watch Legion - I recommend you read the book instead. Otherwise, stick with the theatrical cut, a highly underrated gem of the genre, second only to Friedkin's original.
Director's Cut - 5/10 Theatrical Cut - 7/10.
- jackaius
- Jan 4, 2022
- How long is The Exorcist III: Legion?Powered by Alexa