Movie review: The Evil Dead

While five young friends vacation at a remote cabin in the mountains they unwittingly release spirits of the evil dead. As one by one they become possessed, flesh-eating zombies, Ash ends up being the sole survivor and struggles to find a way to save his friends.

Bruce Campbell (Ash),  Ellen Sandweiss (Cheryl), Richard DeManincor (Scott), Betsy Baker (Linda), Theresa Tily (Shelly).

This started off a bit slow and I was about to shut it off thinking it was a flop when the young girl out in the woods was stripped and raped by a tree. Yes, I said raped by a tree. After that the film took off like a rocket.
This is one of the first films from Director Sam Raimi, with Bruce Campbell, and it is a very good zombie flick that has gone on to become a cult classic and the beginning of a fun little franchise.

Considering this was made in 1981, the special effects are incredible. Time-lapse photography combined with what appears to be claymation and excellent makeup and gore special effects are great. Even the thick fog throughout the film was very good and while watching it was impressive to realize there are effects in almost every scene. There are some good BOO moments but the star of this film is the special effects and focus on gore and physical trauma. Body parts getting chopped off, gallons of blood and gore, pints of puke and pus. This is a zombie flick in the best sense and if you are a zombie flick fan this should be at the top of your Must See list.

Acting was a bit bland but it was interesting to see Campbell in one of his first roles since he has been in so many films since this one was made. Camera work seemed a bit inexperienced in parts but the special effects more than made up for it. Sound wasn’t impressive but well done.

Overall if you enjoy zombie films or good horror this is a definite Must See.

Due to nudity, content, and all the other stuff previously mentioned this one should probably be reserved for adults.

Released: 1981
Reviewed: 2.3.17
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Horror, Cult Horror, Zombies, Supernatural Horror, Dark comedy

copyright ©2017 Dave Riedel