The Evil Dead (1982) - Sam Raimi's "The Evil Dead" is one of the scariest, funniest and kinkiest movies you are likely to run across. Notorious for its gore, and famous for bringing Bruce Campbell to the notice of horror fans the world over, "The Evil Dead" was the 80s version of "The Blair Witch Project." Released in 1982, "The Evil Dead" is essentially, a low budget student film that broke through to the mainstream and developed a large cult following. Want to creep out a girl friend, get her snuggle just that much closer with you on the couch some weekend night, then rent (or buy from Anchor Bay) this classic gore feast and wait for her to grab you close!

Ash (Bruce Campbell) is having a rough night

      Five college students rent a Tennessee (gotta plug my home state!) cabin in the woods for spring break. Obviously these dumbasses have never watched MTV's Spring Break or they would have gone to Cancun! The cabin was the former residence of a college professor who did research in the occult. Scotty (Hal Delrich), an obnoxious guy who you wish would be the first to die, finds a book in the cellar which belonged to the professor. The box is bound in human flesh. He also finds a tape of the professor's chronicles of his experiments. The intellectually challenged students sit around and play the tape of the professor. The professor explains that he has discovered that the area is inhabited by nature demons which, when aroused from their hellish slumber, will possess any humans around. The good professor also states that if one is possessed by the demons, dismemberment is the only way to dispatch the evil being. Oblivious to the danger which is about to come their way, they sit and listen as the professor's voice then speaks the ancient spells which release the evil dead from their dormant state. Oops!

Scotty (Hal Delrich) is obnoxious, live or dead

      What follows is typical of most of the teen slaughter movies from the 70s and 80s with one major exception, Sam Raimi's style and direction. The demons take possession of the souls of the students one by one, causing the survivors to hack the evil ones to pieces with whatever sharp objects they can lay their hands on. The sparse $50,000 budget is most apparent in the spatter special effects. I saw "The Evil Dead" when it first came out and was totally freaked out by the thing in the cellar. When I saw it the other day, the cheesy make up detracted from the fright quotient. I'd almost recommend turning the color down and watching this in black-and-white! That complaint aside, you've gotta see this flick if for no other reason than to see the genesis of Sam Raimi's career.

She who laughs last

      I'm one of those folks who loved "The Quick and the Dead." I loved the quirky point of view shots Raimi used during the quick draw competition. Raimi's deft use of the camera in "The Evil Dead" is what sets this movie head and shoulders above the multitude of similar crap put out during the slasher craze of the 80s. As Cheryl (Ellen Sandweiss), the first of the demon's victims, steps from the cabin during the middle of the night (real smart move), she is stalked by the plants, vines and trees which have been brought to life through demonic possession. The camera rushes toward the screaming young woman as she tries to escape. Cheryl is caught and raped by the vines. She makes her way back inside before her full transformation into a pus drooling imp from hell. Ash (Bruce Campbell) whacks her in the head, knocking her into the cellar where she remains until late in the film. Cheryl becomes the aforementioned "thing in the cellar." Throughout the movie, she strains against the chained lid which imprisons her. Her hideous face and sulfur filled growls make it hard for the others to rest easy. Needless to say, ain't nobody getting any sleep this night. Raimi's point of view shots and quick cuts deliver a gut wrenching barrage of genuine frights. The film's success spawned 2 sequels "The Evil Dead II" and "Army of Darkness." Each of the sequels have their good points. Only "Army of Darkness" comes close to the original. However, the emphasis is placed on twisted humor in the third film. Rent it, buy it, but don't miss "The Evil Dead."

      I got "The Evil Dead" from Anchor Bay Entertainment. I can't say enough about this company. If I ever get on that millionaire show with Regis I'll spend all my winnings on Anchor Bay's catalog of videos and DVDs. The first time I logged onto Anchor Bay's website I felt as someone had crawled inside my head and created a company designed specifically for my video tastes. I cannot recommend any thing higher than Anchor Bay for the movie fan who likes horror, sci-fi, foreign films, westerns and dramas. They may not have as many titles as some other companies, but what they have is right on target. Check out their web site and get out the check book. Like Hammer's horror films? They have the biggest selection you will find. Take my word for it, Anchor Bay is the future of home video and DVD entertainment.

Rusty White