im renting on Google play, and around 53 the drvis telling the detective that the man in isolation says hes the gemini killer. then the next frame has the detective backing out of the isolation cell in shock. i feel like this is obviously after him recognizing damien. was this an intended scebe cut? was it cut from theatrical release? is it original? is google play screwing with me? anyone else have this issue?
shareCould be a case of both OP, but to me it looks like Blatty felt he didn't need the middle scene, and wanted to just cut to Kinderman's reaction while leaving the cell, to leave it ambiguous. Great editing to me, despite being somewhat jarring with the sound FX.
shareNow that a rough version of the director's cut has been released, it seems clear that the decision was made to simply omit the scene of Kinderman first seeing Karras (Dourif) in the cell, rather than re-shooting it with Jason Miller. You can tell it's a different set as Kinderman backs out of the cell -- browner, grimier, and more dilapidated generally.
But yeah, the jarring cut there always stood out to me. I think it works, but it was meant to be a patchwork solution.
I always found this to be a good decision by Blatty, jumping from "he says he's the Gemini Killer" straight to Kinderman's reaction of shock. Not only does it highlight Kinderman's surprise with some sort of unexplained, supernatural event, it also builds the anticipation of their first confrontation, which starts with Karras being cleanly seen for the first time, saying "it's a wonderfull life".
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