| The Evil Dead Review Originally starting life as a 15 minute short, Sam Raimi's gory horror nasty was invested in as a result of the short, which was loved by the financiers. The shooting was set to take seven weeks but instead took nine. What came out at the end of production was what was called "the ultimate experience in grueling terror, pure horror" by City Limits. The film was also commented on by legendary horror writer, Stephen King who pointed out it was "a black rainbow of horror!" Made in 1982, this film was also an independent production and came out just before the era of the 'Video Nasty' and was therefore, set up to become the target of much controversy from figures such as Mary Whitehouse who stated it was one of the most evil films ever. The Evil Dead also suffered a bad fate in Britain where the BBFC banned it for a few years until releasing it after the worry of video nasties, but the print we got to see in Britain was slashed by up to two minutes and until 2001, when it was finally granted and '18 Uncut' certificate, remained so. Despite the controversy, The Evil Dead has found a place in horror fan's hearts as well as a long lasting place in horror history as one of the most legendary films of its genre. The Evil Dead also spawned two sequels which were also directed by Raimi and starring Bruce Campbell as, an ever-changing in attitude, Ash. The Evil Dead is a straight off horror romp whereas Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn is a 50/50 split between horror and comedy and finally, Army of Darkness: The Medieval Dead is pure comedy. Despite this however, all the films in the trilogy are classics of the horror genre and all deserve to be viewed and cherished. Starring Bruce Campbell, who has since shot to fame as a legendary B-movie actor and television star, the story centers around a group of five teenagers who enter the Tennessee woodlands for a holiday during which they will be staying in a remote cabin deep in the woods. After crossing the bridge, the scene changes from a playful trip to an image of impending doom as the campers become more and more relaxed in the cabin. At first, the looming presence of something much more sinister than they could ever imagine, presents itself to Ash's sister, Cheryl who is momentarily possessed and draws the scrambled image of 'the book of the dead.' This book in fact lies dormant in the cellar, but after some investigation by Ash and Scott, who go in search of the cause of the cellar door springing open by itself, the book is soon found along with a grotesque dagger as well as a tape recorder. However, when this tape is played and the voice of a professor researching the evil spirits of Candar repeats the resurrection passages, the evil comes alive and soon, no one is safe. After a slow start, the film quickly picks up a horrifying pace as one by one, they fall victim to the spirits of the evil dead, always resulting in blood-soaked battles of the living versus the undead. A series of mind tricks and time seeming to step backwards as the clock reverses by itself, leave Ash terrified by what lies in the woods waiting for him. Finally the evil presents itself, and it is only a second before traditionally wet and bloody confrontations a la Raimi take over in a final battle of two worlds, the living and the dead. The plot may seem thin and often skates on the edge of a blade as controversial scenes such as the 'tree rape' appear on screen (but excised in the UK) accompanied by a skin crawling soundtrack. Feared by many for its excessive style and unrelenting visual orgy of blood and mayhem, Sam Raimi's film never forgets to include lashings of blood with every horrific shot. Explained to be a "visual and aural attack on the senses" this film requires a strong stomach to make it all the way through. However, the everyday horror fan will have no trouble with viewing this film, although, some scenes in particular, such as the eye gouging, may prove to be a little past repulsive. This is a strong film and at times is often repulsive, especially on first and second ever viewing. Although standards have moved on since, mostly for the worst, this film still proves to be a cult shocker which packs a bloody-fisted punch. Watch out for the clock in the background, throughout the film it actually goes backwards making the night of terror appears never-ending. The special effects may be rough by today's standards of Hollywood sheen, but they never fail to arouse a grumbling nausea in the pit of your stomach, even if you don't recognise it. The eye gouging, the axe slaughter and the chewing off of a hand all stand tall above a bloody scene of graphic violence. Some may hate this film for its excesses, but this film is either a love or hate affair. If you hate gallons of gore, steer clear. However, if you love real horror, come right on in and sit down for a veritable woodlands bloodbath of gore and visual jilts that will send you right to hell with the zombie demons depicted within. The actual quality of the film used to capture this masterpiece may at times be rather dreadful and the effects may at times be particularly scrappy, watch out for plasticine brain chunks and animated speed-face-rotting, but all in all, this is a very good film that will eat your eyes and drink your brains through a straw before burning off your flesh for a nice meal. Not once through this film is there ever an easy moment, this entire film is one piece of tense horror cinema and is definitely a movie for the collection. Watch this film, see the visual horror and die from the horrific lighting, enclosed setting and hectic pace of evil going mad over some teenagers who look rather like twenty-somethings. No matter what, this is a fantastic horror blood-feast that never gives up in its quest to eat you alive. |