NEW 'EXORCIST' WILL LEAVE HEADS SPINNING.

Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic

You probably remember the projectile vomiting, the spinning heads and the floating bed. What you might not recall are the great characterizations, fantastic acting and the direction that succeeds in creating a mounting atmosphere of intense dread.

``The Exorcist'' is back, and if you've never seen William Friedkin's masterpiece of horror in a movie theater, it's well worth seeking out. Billed as ``the version you've never seen,'' this ``Exorcist'' could more accurately be described as ``the version writer/producer William Peter Blatty always wanted you to see.''

This new cut of the film includes several scenes that Friedkin deleted at the last minute (much to Blatty's dismay) in order to tighten the film's pace and get it to a two-hour running time.

As is typically the case, the director knew best. The additional footage, particularly the infamous ``spider-walking'' scene of little Linda Blair moving crablike down a flight of stairs, certainly has its freak-show appeal. A couple of small scenes illuminate and even fascinate. (A mid-exorcism talk between the two priests - Max von Sydow and Jason Miller - is chilling.)

But generally, the additions are superfluous, and, in the case of a goofy conversation that has been tacked on to the ending, they diminish the film's power. (Thankfully, the filmmakers did not choose to include an even longer version of this ending scene, which exists.)

Where this new ``Exorcist'' shows marked improvement is its remastered sound, which makes Robert Knudson's Oscar-winning work even more of a revelation. From the early, eerie bubbling of the fish tank in Regan's room to those weird sounds in the attic to Mercedes McCambridge's terrifyingly vulgar voice-over work (subbing for Blair), this movie's sound ranks as a landmark achievement. (McCambridge reportedly inhaled raw eggs, alcohol and cigarettes - while strapped to a chair, no less - to achieve the desired vocal raspiness.)

Watching ``The Exorcist'' 27 years after its release, it's easy to see how much the movie's story is a product of its times (who can understand kids these days?) as well as the filmmakers' thinly veiled misogyny (blossoming female sexuality sure can be a nightmare!).

But the movie worked then, and it still does. Raise a cup of pea soup and celebrate its re-release.

``THE EXORCIST''

(Rated R: strong language and disturbing images.)

The stars: Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Lee J. Cobb, Jason Miller, Linda Blair. Behind the scenes: Directed by William Friedkin. Screenplay by William Peter Blatty, based on his novel. Released by Warner Bros. Running time: Two hours, 13 minutes. Playing: Citywide. Our rating: Three and one half stars

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Priests Max Von Sydow, center, and Jason Miller perform an exorcism ritual on demonically possessed Linda Blair in ``The Exorcist,'' being re-released with restored footage.