The Exorcist III (1990) Limited Edition 4K UHD Review

4 star great restoration of an excellent sequel.

The Exorcist III is a 1990 American horror film, the third in the Exorcist franchise and sees the welcome return of original author William Peter Blatty (The Ninth Configuration), who also directs this time. It is based on his 1983 horror novel Legion, which was intended as the sequel to The Exorcist.

It is available in the UK on Limited Edition 4K UHD from 7th October 2024, courtesy of Arrow Video and can be ordered here. There is also an Arrow Store exclusive with original artwork, which can be ordered here.

“Now, you’re standing very close to me Father, have you noticed? Yes. I haven’t had a bath for three days. I can’t go home until the carp is asleep.”

It’s 1990 and in Georgetown, Father Joe Dyer (Ed Flanders – True Confessions, St Elsewhere (TV Series)) still has nightmares about the stairs where his friend Father Karras (Jason Miller – The Exorcist, Paradox Lake) was killed fifteen years previously during the exorcism of Regan MacNeil. As they do every year on this anniversary, he goes to the cinema with Bill Kinderman (George C. Scott – The Changeling, The Hustler), a cop and best friend to Karras, to cheer each other up.

This year, Kinderman and his two trusty sidekicks Stedman (George DiCenzo – Back to the Future) and Ryan (Don Gordon – The Towering Inferno, Papillon) are investigating the gruesome murder of a young boy found down at the docks. When Father Dyer is admitted to the hospital and subsequently murdered, Kinderman starts to see a worrying similarity between these murders and those committed by The Gemini Killer, a serial killer put to the electric chair fifteen years before.

At the same time, he learns about Patient X (Jason Miller), a previously catatonic patient who has recently become active and claims to be the Gemini Killer (Brad Dourif – Mississippi Burning, Dune), even knowing things about the case that weren’t released to the press. What is the connection between these events and can he stop what is happening before it is too late?

“Death be not proud. Though some have called thee mighty and dreadful. Heart not soul. Though soonest our best men with thee go.”

The Exorcist III is a fantastic watch which was greatly underrated upon its release in 1990. William Peter Blatty is the master of suspense and while not a gory film by any means, it boasts what it arguably one of the best jump scares in horror film history, artfully set up and guaranteed to get you every time.

It’s a clever story, well written and beautifully acted by all concerned. It is more concerned with the philosophy of evil than with horror film cliches, making it’s points through careful discussion and analysis. It doesn’t in any way try to copy the original. For most of the film it feels more like a supernatural themed police procedural film as we investigate the deaths and this works really well.

This is a great restoration too, the detail is excellent, the picture crisp and clean and the film sounds great (we even get treated to a bit of Tubular Bells at the start!) Great package and well worth adding to your 4K horror collection.

“Remember Karen? Little ribbons in her hair, yellow ribbons? I killed her. Well, after all, it was inevitable, wasn’t it?”

The Exorcist III is available to buy now on Limited Edition 4K UHD.

4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

• Two presentations of The Exorcist III: the theatrical cut, presented on 4K Ultra HD (2160p) Blu-ray in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) and the Legion director’s cut, presented on High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray
• Original theatrical 2.0 stereo audio and optional 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio on both cuts
• Restored 2.0 stereo audio from 2023 on the theatrical cut
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Richard Wells
• Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring writing on the film by Lee Gambin, archival articles and reviews

DISC ONE – THE THEATRICAL CUT (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY)

• 2K restoration of the theatrical cut of The Exorcist III, presented in 4K Ultra High Definition
• Audio commentary by critics Alexandra Heller Nicholas and Josh Nelson
• Audio interview with writer/director William Peter Blatty
• Death, Be Not Proud: The Making of The Exorcist III, an in-depth 2016 documentary divided into five chapters: Chapter One: A “Wonderfull” Time, an interview with producer Carter DeHaven and members of the supporting cast and production crew; Chapter Two: Signs of the Gemini, an interview with actor Brad Dourif; Chapter Three: The Devil in the Details, an interview with production designer Leslie Dilley and more; Chapter Four: Music for a Padded Cell, an interview with composer Barry DeVorzon; Chapter Five: All This Bleeding, interviews about the additional shoot and special effects
• The Exorcist III: Vintage Interviews, archival interviews with cast and crew members including William Peter Blatty, producer James Robinson, actors George C. Scott, Jason Miller, Grand L. Bush and Ed Flanders
• Falling Down a Long Flight of Steps, an interview with special effects artist Randy Moore
• The Exorcist III: Vintage Featurette, making-of documentary with on-set footage and interviews
• Deleted scenes, alternate takes and bloopers
• Image galleries
• Trailers, TV spots and radio spots

DISC TWO – THE ‘LEGION’ DIRECTOR’S CUT (BLU-RAY)

• High Definition Blu-ray™ (1080p) presentation of the Legion director’s cut, assembled from the best available film and video elements
• Legion audio commentary with esteemed film critics Mark Kermode and Kim Newman
• Deleted Prologue, an alternate opening to Legion with optional audio commentary from Mark Kermode and Kim Newman