Dominion was the better version
more subtle and atmospheric. This film is just trash and harlin is a hack
shareAgreed. The difference between the two can be evidenced on the respective DVD covers: Beginning has a "scary" cover with a possessed Scorupco as its "monster"; whereas Dominion has an introspective cover with a chastened Merrin kissing his Rosary (just as he does in The Exorcist). The Harlin film is a superficial "fun horror" film for the masses; Schrader's film while slower, is more nuanced and better shows Merrin's spiritual struggle.
shareHaving watched both, I prefer BEGINNING since it's a more fast-paced, enjoyable movie.
DOMINION is just too talky for me and it's clear why the studio rejected it. Granted, Blatty preferred it, but I don't think it's an "exorcist" film and might have liked it better without all the "prequel" nonsense. Again, WAY too talky for this genre.