Evil Dead

Evil Dead



Sam Raimi is probably more famous with the current generation for his Spiderman trilogy; A series of films relying on expensive special effects and CGI. But, for us old movie veterans, Raimi is best known for the Evil Dead trilogy; Films that used plasticine and fake blood in the goriest manner possible.

The first film centres on five teens as they spend the night in a spooky old shack in the middle of nowhere (for reasons known only to themselves). The teens discover an old book and a tape recorder in the cellar and, foolishly, listen to the tape. The tape reveals that reciting passages in the book (book of the dead) can be used to summon demons who like to possess the living. Continuing the tape, they unwittingly free the demons and all hell breaks loose.

One by one they are taken over by demons, who try to kill the rest of the group. Before long it’s only our iconic hero Ash (Bruce Campbell) who’s left to battle the forces of evil.

The film was initially banned in the UK for its graphic gore and splatter scenes. Scenes that still have the ability to shock modern audiences into hiding behind the sofa. Raimi goes all out to disgust his audience with blood and goo spewing from burst eyeballs and severed limbs. The worst and most visceral image is that of a pencil being driven into an innocent girl’s ankle (and wiggled around a bit for good measure). Or it could have simply been the tree rape scene that offended Mary Whitehouse’s sensibilities.

The film isn’t without flaws: The action is a bit repetitive, to be fair; Ash does fall and become entangled with a bookcase twice. But, it moves so fast and you’re having too much fun to notice.

Populated with unknown actors, one star shines brighter than the others. This film launched Bruce Campbell to cult legend status, further galvanised by the sequel in which he famously upgrades his arm. Campbell would never find a character that suited his sardonic wit so well again. Unless you count the theater usher in Spiderman 2.

Verdict 8/10
An excellent horror made on a shoe string.