Exorcist II: The Heretic Blu-ray Review

Shout! Factory has substantially improved the video presentation of "Exorcist II: The Heretic" in this new Collector’s Edition. Leveraging a brand new 2K scan of the original film elements, both the 102-minute and 117-minute versions offer significant enhancements over Warner Bros.' previous release. The 1.85:1 aspect ratio remains consistent, but viewers will note a much better color balance, including more vivid reds and well-reproduced dark blues and grays. Grain is preserved naturally without the egregious smearing and noise reduction that marred the earlier release, resulting in a grainy but much more watchable experience. While some scenes exhibit more grain than others, the overall detail and clarity represent a major step up.

Color reproduction and black levels have received notable upgrades as well. The film's softer focus and under-lit visuals, typical of 1970s cinematographic fads, are handled with greater finesse. Blacks are deeper and saturated, with superior shadow detail and contrast, making Richard Burton's acne scars and facial textures more discernible. Although the movie retains the inherent graininess and washed-out aesthetic of its era, colors such as the yellow plane seats and crimson skies in Ethiopian scenes now stand out more prominently. Even Father Lamont's black clerical robe reveals a richness previously unseen.

With an MPEG-4 AVC encoding at 1080p resolution, both cuts boast a mean video bitrate of 35000 kbps, ensuring smooth cinematic movements without blurring or jittering artifacts. Skin tones appear consistent and natural throughout, enhancing fine details to levels unseen on the prior Warner release. Despite minor instances of print damage and artifacts, Shout! Factory's meticulous restoration delivers the best possible representation of "Exorcist II: The Heretic" on home video to date. This transformation will likely delight fans who have long been disappointed by inadequate previous releases.

The audio presentation of "Exorcist II: The Heretic" on Blu-ray delivers a reliable DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track, consistent with previous Warner releases. Despite the inherent limitations of its 1970s mono recording, the audio quality is robust and energetic. Dialogue remains clear and intelligible, with the brooding score and ambient sound effects providing a compelling sense of depth and atmosphere. The track does exhibit some minor thinness at times, but this is expected given the age and recording technology of the film. However, it surpasses the audio quality of many subsequent sequels.

Scream Factory's Dual Mono mix for both cuts demonstrates impressive clarity and spatial depth, particularly in sound effects like wind gusts during the finale. Ennio Morricone's score stands out as one of the film's highlights, showcasing his diverse musical range with instruments such as guitars, violins, and ethnic percussion for the African scenes. The mixing of a female vocalist and background chorus is particularly effective, enhancing the thematic elements of the story. Compared to previous releases, this Blu-ray offers less shrillness and improved fidelity.

The 2018 high-definition transfer also positively impacts the audio presentation. There’s an improved balance in dynamics, although low frequencies remain somewhat subdued. Nevertheless, the mono track avoids any major distortions or hiss, ensuring a clean listening experience. While the sound design occasionally feels artificial or disconnected, this release still represents a notable improvement over earlier versions. The optional English SDH subtitles are a valuable addition for both cuts, rounding out a solid auditory package for this classic horror film.

The Blu-ray release of "Exorcist II: The Heretic" offers an impressive array of extras that provide both comprehensive and insightful content for enthusiasts. Notable among these is the engaging commentary by director John Boorman, who provides personal anecdotes and insights despite some pauses reflecting his age. Project consultant Scott Bosco delivers a passionate, albeit sometimes eccentric, analysis of the film’s troubled history. Additionally, Linda Blair’s candid interview sheds light on behind-the-scenes issues and her experiences working with co-stars. Editor Tom Priestley’s interview is slightly more reserved but informative on the technical editing aspects. Film analyst Mike White's commentary on the TV cut stands out for its depth and critical perspective on the film's production challenges and thematic elements. The disc set also includes original trailers and an extensive collection of still galleries, enriching the viewer’s understanding of the movie's legacy.

Extras included in this disc:

• NEW Audio Commentary with Director John Boorman: Boorman shares detailed production insights and personal reflections.
• NEW Audio Commentary with Project Consultant Scott Bosco: Bosco dives into the film's history and various versions.
• NEW What Does She Remember? – An Interview with Actress Linda Blair: Blair offers candid anecdotes about her experience on set.
• NEW Interview with Editor Tom Priestley: Priestly discusses his editing techniques and collaboration with Boorman.
• NEW Audio Commentary with Mike White of The Projection Booth Blog: White provides an in-depth analysis and critique of the film.
• Original Teaser Trailer: Brief promotional content.
• Original Theatrical Trailer: Full-length promotional trailer.
• Black & White Stills: Extensive gallery of 127 images from production.
• Deleted Scene Photos: Brief gallery of five images.
• Color Stills: Gallery featuring fifty-five color images.
• Behind-the-Scenes Gallery: Compilation of fifty-three images from behind the scenes.
• Poster and Lobby Cards Gallery: Collection of ninety-seven promotional images.

Exorcist II: The Heretic, while initially promising, spirals into an almost inexplicable and confusing narrative due to multiple script rewrites and problematic production decisions. The film, directed by John Boorman, attempts to follow Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair) four years after the traumatic exorcism that shook her life. Regan, now in New York, is under psychiatric care when Father Philip Lamont (Richard Burton) is tasked by the Vatican to investigate the death of Father Merrin (Max von Sydow). The plot stretches from New York City to Africa, leveraging a telepathic link and a pseudo-scientific hypnosis synchronization machine to unfold new dimensions of Pazuzu's lingering curse.

The ambition behind Exorcist II is evident but not fully realized. Boorman’s direction veers dramatically from William Friedkin's visceral terror in the original Exorcist, opting instead for grandiose, often disjointed sequences that fail to coalesce into a cohesive narrative. The acting suffers as actors grapple with Boorman's inconsistent vision, leading to notable dissonances between performances—most starkly in Burton's exaggerated portrayal of Lamont and Blair's misplaced bubbly demeanor. Moreover, despite advanced production values and Ennio Morricone’s haunting score, the film fails to evoke fear or suspense, leaving audiences bemused at its awkward blend of mysticism and dated psychological tropes.

Despite its critical drubbing and notorious labeling as a cinematic misstep, Exorcist II has developed a peculiar charm for some viewers, even gaining praise for certain innovative elements. The enigmatic stroboscopic biofeedback device and thematic flashes to Father Merrin's past offer moments of intrigue. However, many see it more as a parody than a legitimate sequel, hindered by questionable directorial choices and laughable pseudoscience. Whether regarded as an ambitious failure or a cult oddity, Exorcist II: The Heretic undeniably remains a contentious entry in horror film history, illustrating the perils of overreaching ambitions in sequel filmmaking.

"Exorcist II: The Heretic" has always been a divisive film within the franchise, often seen as the black sheep. The movie is unabashedly flawed yet it carries a unique charm that has fostered a cult following. Scream Factory's 2-Disc Collector's Edition seeks to right the past wrongs with a comprehensive presentation that surpasses Warner Brother's previous release. The new master significantly improves video quality, and the audio is delivered in clear DTS-HD MA 2.0, ensuring an engaging viewing experience. Including both the theatrical cut, often preferred for its pacing, and the Home Video Cut, this edition effectively encompasses the movie’s various facets.

Supplementing the feature films, Scream Factory has loaded this edition with numerous extras. The inclusion of three in-depth commentaries and extensive photo galleries offers rich insights into the movie’s production challenges and creative decisions. This release also brings out engaging special features that cater to both casual viewers and dedicated analysts of cinematic oddities, providing an educational look into why "The Heretic" misfired critically and commercially. The improved packaging with thoughtfully curated extras will be a draw for longtime fans and newcomers interested in bygone era filmmaking.

In conclusion, while "Exorcist II: The Heretic" remains a polarizing entry in the franchise, Scream Factory's Collector's Edition is an undeniable upgrade. Offering cleaner visuals and comprehensive extras, this release is indispensable for horror collectors and aficionados of film history. The masochistic charm of this film combined with this polished edition ensures that it will continue to provoke both derision and admiration. If you are intrigued by cinematic oddities or are a die-hard "Exorcist" fan, this Collector’s Edition is well worth your investment.