Nearly clever example of an increasingly popular commentary trick: editing two separately-recorded commentarians to sound as if they're in the same room. To the trained ear, however, the technique is quite frustrating because, after a while, the listener is actively TRYING to pick out the moments where, say, a "Yeah" or a "Hmm" or a small titter by Malcolm McDowell has been cleverly edited into the middle of a sentence by Nicholas Meyer. Nonetheless, this is a good track, with the notoriously self-confident Meyer in top form, admitting he always save his best lines from unproduced screenplays for use in the films that do get made (such as the "God believes in you" line from COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO), as well as providing a plethora of production tales and pointing out clever in-jokes, like the fact the San Francisco Hyatt Regency was also used in Mel Brook's HIGH ANXIETY and was designed by a man who loved the film adaptation of H.G. Wells THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME. We also learn that David Warner had recently broken ankles and was extensively doubled in the foot chase scenes, plus get some insight into the romance that developed between McDowell and Mary Steenburgen on the film, including an amusing anecdote regarding Steenburgen's shocking discovery that McDowell's ability to cry on cue came from ammonium capsules (Meyer claims he was the last to know about the blossoming affair). Meyer also points out the marquee for Exorcist IV, a gag that actually came true 25 years later, and admits the FX are only so-so, but says his primary concern was making the film fun. All in all, a very informative, consistent track for fans of the film, provided you don't start analysing its tricky editing cheats.

Can't possibly compete with Brian's excellent review other than to agree with everything he said. Meyer is articulate, egotistical and humble (?!), in equal proportions, and is hard on himself for many missed opportunities - he constantly refers to moments when he should have gone if for the closeup. I think it's probably his best film (and his best commentary) (Yes, better than Star Trek 2).

Great information. I love listening to McDowell and I love listening to Meyer. They are both confident in their respective crafts. I can see why Meyer would be considered egotistical, but I think he's being honest with how he perceives his abilities, and he is willing to present the bad as well as the good. I would have given this commentary a 9, except:

I found the splicing of the two tracks downright obnoxious. To have clips of McDowell "reacting" to Meyer's comments was a ludicrous idea and absolutely unnecessary. And then two seconds later to have McDowell refer to Meyer in the third person. Silly concept.