Why do the Kandarian demons get so much crap? They're just doing what demons do! Would you be angry at a cat for catting? a fish for fishing? A moose for moosing? The first one is definitely my favorite; Army of Darkness follows close behind for me...The uniqueness of Raimi's (and Tom Sullivan's) vision is so clear in Dead; simple but gloriously effective sound effects like someone thunking on a piece of wood as the camera flies past a sequence of rafters, that unbelievable stop motion sequence near the (end? ha!) of it all, that music when they try to boogie and come across the mangled bridge. and the losing of shit ensues...aaargh! what a great movie!!!I'll be busting out my collectors edition latex covered facsimile Book of the Dead DVD of this bad boy tonight! Thanks again, Harry!
Demons sure do what they do best here, as does Raimi. That stop motion is solid gold, as are the other elements you listed. I look forward to seeing your comments on Army of Darkness when I get around to reviewing that in the near future!
Okay I finally got to watch Evil Dead! This was truly an awesome write-up, and I really liked the nuggets at the end too. I feel like I really missed out not having watched it far, far earlier in my horror journey. It very much felt of a certain time and place, and I can totally see your points about how influential and groundbreaking it was. I have to say I wasn't a huge fan (and I feel strangely ashamed to say that), but it may just be that Slashers and gore, while fun, just aren't my favorite, so eventually the film got a little tedious instead of fun. Some things I DID enjoy were that crazy stopmotion dissolving demon scene at the end, the demonic laughter and of course "we're gonna get you" and pretty much the whole beginning and buildup until those damn vines... I think Ash was a great character and Final Dude as well. Since I've heard that so many people like Evil Dead 2 even more than the first, I'm going to give it a shot as well.
I'm very glad you watched it, even if you didn't love it. Slasher fatigue is very real, and I've met a few people for whom it just isn't their bag. Fortunately for me I just love films with heaps of blood, so I fell in love with the series almost at once. Stop motion in a horror is always a massive bonus.
I'm not sure you'll love Evil Dead 2, frankly, but I appreciate that you're gonna check it out anyway! I'm about halfway through my review so hopefully it'll be out in the next few days.
Ash really is a big part of the draw, so I'm pleased you got something out of him as a character. He's a lot more strange in future installments.
Wow wow some amazing coverage for this masterpiece! Honestly, the behind the scenes tidbit are what make the movie for me! I love hearing how they created all the effects and how the actors nearly got hyperthermia (or did?) filming in the middle of the night. I think I’ve only watched it in full 2 or 3 times myself, but I’d love to hear Raimi’s dvd commentary. I need to get my hands on that.
Thanks! Yeah, agreed, behind the scenes is the best. The trilogy with the commentaries only cost me £15! I haven't got round to listening to Raimi's own notes yet, but I might well do for the sequel.
That King review helped get the film US distribution so Raimi was forever grateful to him.
The movie itself seriously disturbed me when I watched it at far too young an age. Raimi always claimed it was a slapstick comedy with blood and guts in place of custard pies. Was never sure about that! 😁
Haven’t watched it in a while and do prefer the sequel but I might give it another go off the back of this 👍🏼
Thanks! I definitely think the sequel is the comedy and this one is played straight for scares. That said it was really fun rewatching, and I strongly reccomend a revisit!
The Evil Dead is such a nasty, gnarly, vicious little film and I LOVE it, lol.
I also love that The Evil Dead gave us a rare final guy in Ash. Bruce's portrayal of him here is so different from the cocky asshole Ash we know and love today. In this film, he's just a normal guy in a horrific situation.
Fantastic beginning to your series, Harry! SO looking forward to your Evil Dead II post! 🤘
It is fascinating to watch Ash as a reasonably ordinary person. Especially back to back with the TV show, where he's totally jaded to blood and guts. It's a real journey to watch.
Yes 🤘🏻✊🏻 these movies were the pinnacle of the era's low budget horror grindhouse. There was a unique quality to this movie that was equal parts eerie and terrifying. Raimi leaned fully into the camp during the later iterations of this series, but the standard stayed the same and somehow tied them all together. Well done as always Harry! I'm always here for your reviews.
Why do the Kandarian demons get so much crap? They're just doing what demons do! Would you be angry at a cat for catting? a fish for fishing? A moose for moosing? The first one is definitely my favorite; Army of Darkness follows close behind for me...The uniqueness of Raimi's (and Tom Sullivan's) vision is so clear in Dead; simple but gloriously effective sound effects like someone thunking on a piece of wood as the camera flies past a sequence of rafters, that unbelievable stop motion sequence near the (end? ha!) of it all, that music when they try to boogie and come across the mangled bridge. and the losing of shit ensues...aaargh! what a great movie!!!I'll be busting out my collectors edition latex covered facsimile Book of the Dead DVD of this bad boy tonight! Thanks again, Harry!
Hope you have a great time on the rewatch Tony!
Demons sure do what they do best here, as does Raimi. That stop motion is solid gold, as are the other elements you listed. I look forward to seeing your comments on Army of Darkness when I get around to reviewing that in the near future!
Thanks very much for reading
Me before coffee.
Okay I finally got to watch Evil Dead! This was truly an awesome write-up, and I really liked the nuggets at the end too. I feel like I really missed out not having watched it far, far earlier in my horror journey. It very much felt of a certain time and place, and I can totally see your points about how influential and groundbreaking it was. I have to say I wasn't a huge fan (and I feel strangely ashamed to say that), but it may just be that Slashers and gore, while fun, just aren't my favorite, so eventually the film got a little tedious instead of fun. Some things I DID enjoy were that crazy stopmotion dissolving demon scene at the end, the demonic laughter and of course "we're gonna get you" and pretty much the whole beginning and buildup until those damn vines... I think Ash was a great character and Final Dude as well. Since I've heard that so many people like Evil Dead 2 even more than the first, I'm going to give it a shot as well.
I'm very glad you watched it, even if you didn't love it. Slasher fatigue is very real, and I've met a few people for whom it just isn't their bag. Fortunately for me I just love films with heaps of blood, so I fell in love with the series almost at once. Stop motion in a horror is always a massive bonus.
I'm not sure you'll love Evil Dead 2, frankly, but I appreciate that you're gonna check it out anyway! I'm about halfway through my review so hopefully it'll be out in the next few days.
Ash really is a big part of the draw, so I'm pleased you got something out of him as a character. He's a lot more strange in future installments.
Wow wow some amazing coverage for this masterpiece! Honestly, the behind the scenes tidbit are what make the movie for me! I love hearing how they created all the effects and how the actors nearly got hyperthermia (or did?) filming in the middle of the night. I think I’ve only watched it in full 2 or 3 times myself, but I’d love to hear Raimi’s dvd commentary. I need to get my hands on that.
Thanks! Yeah, agreed, behind the scenes is the best. The trilogy with the commentaries only cost me £15! I haven't got round to listening to Raimi's own notes yet, but I might well do for the sequel.
hell yeah evil dead!!! that’s what I’m talking about!!! I love this one, Ash is a great final girl
Isn't he just! Hope to see you in the next post when I do Evil Dead 2 and he really comes into his super Final Girl phase
Well done, Harry. This is beautiful and it’s just the beginning. Can’t wait for the next part of this series!
Thanks Sean! Me too!
Ah perfect. One of my gateways into this horror thing. Scared the living daylights out of me when I first watched it!
It's a freaky watch man!
Great write up as usual, Harry👏
That King review helped get the film US distribution so Raimi was forever grateful to him.
The movie itself seriously disturbed me when I watched it at far too young an age. Raimi always claimed it was a slapstick comedy with blood and guts in place of custard pies. Was never sure about that! 😁
Haven’t watched it in a while and do prefer the sequel but I might give it another go off the back of this 👍🏼
Thanks! I definitely think the sequel is the comedy and this one is played straight for scares. That said it was really fun rewatching, and I strongly reccomend a revisit!
The Evil Dead is such a nasty, gnarly, vicious little film and I LOVE it, lol.
I also love that The Evil Dead gave us a rare final guy in Ash. Bruce's portrayal of him here is so different from the cocky asshole Ash we know and love today. In this film, he's just a normal guy in a horrific situation.
Fantastic beginning to your series, Harry! SO looking forward to your Evil Dead II post! 🤘
Thanks! I'm very excited for EDII also.
It is fascinating to watch Ash as a reasonably ordinary person. Especially back to back with the TV show, where he's totally jaded to blood and guts. It's a real journey to watch.
It is! Watching Ash evolve over the films and TV show is so interesting because it's like he's a totally different person in each one, lol.
Honestly iconic performance.
an excellent review as always,
Thanks HH!
Yes 🤘🏻✊🏻 these movies were the pinnacle of the era's low budget horror grindhouse. There was a unique quality to this movie that was equal parts eerie and terrifying. Raimi leaned fully into the camp during the later iterations of this series, but the standard stayed the same and somehow tied them all together. Well done as always Harry! I'm always here for your reviews.
Always a joy to read your comments! I appreciate it a lot.
I completely agree with your sentiment. I definitely feel that the camp elements are a big part of what makes the films so solid!
💯