Favourite Horror Movies 12 – The Evil Dead (1981)
Few horror movies from the early 80s have left a mark on cinema quite like Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead (1981). With its inventive camera work, relentless pacing, and visceral thrills, this low-budget indie film not only became a cult classic but also spawned a franchise that includes sequels, a TV series, comic books, and even a musical. It’s a film that forever etched itself into the hearts of horror aficionados and launched the careers of both Raimi and its iconic star, Bruce Campbell.
Warning! This article contains spoilers. It was created for those who have already seen the movie in question. If you have not seen the movie and plan to do so, it is suggested you do so before reading this article.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what makes The Evil Dead so special and dive into some fascinating trivia that even die-hard fans may not know.
Plot Overview: A Descent into Madness
At its core, The Evil Dead is a straightforward story of survival. Five friends—Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell), his girlfriend Linda (Betsy Baker), his sister Cheryl (Ellen Sandweiss), and their friends Scotty (Richard DeManincor) and Shelly (Theresa Tilly)—head to a remote cabin in the woods for a getaway. There, they discover the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis, a mysterious and ancient book that has the power to summon demons. After accidentally unleashing malevolent spirits, the group is terrorised, possessed, and gruesomely dispatched one by one, leaving Ash to fight for his life.
Though this plot seems simple by today’s standards, Raimi’s vision brought something entirely new to the genre. The film is a roller-coaster of relentless tension, frenetic pacing, and shockingly grotesque special effects, all enhanced by its grimy, lo-fi aesthetic. The mixture of horror and slapstick, which became a trademark of Raimi’s later work, is just beginning to take shape here. But unlike its more comedic sequels (Evil Dead II and Army of Darkness), The Evil Dead plays it mostly straight, delivering a relentless horror experience that still holds up today.
Low-Budget Brilliance: The Magic Behind the Film
One of the most impressive aspects of The Evil Dead is its shoestring budget, which was reported to be around $350,000. Raimi and his crew had to get creative to overcome the limitations of such a small budget, resulting in some of the film’s most iconic and innovative moments.
Special Effects: Cheap, Gory, and Effective
The film’s practical effects are legendary. From the use of oatmeal and food coloring to simulate rotting flesh to gallons of fake blood (including a mix of Karo syrup and red dye), Raimi’s DIY approach gave The Evil Dead its distinctive, gritty style.
The crew even coined a term for this kind of blood, calling it “Kensington Gore”—a reference to the old British slang for stage blood.
One particularly famous effect is the “melting faces” during the film’s climax, which involved stop-motion animation using plasticine and various food products, making the gruesome finale even more unsettling. These effects, while clearly low-budget, have a charm that endears them to audiences even today.
Innovative Camera Work
Raimi’s innovative use of the camera was another key element that set the film apart. The signature “shaky cam”, where the camera seems to race through the forest, was achieved by mounting the camera on a piece of wood and running through the woods with it. The result is a disorienting, otherworldly perspective that has since become iconic.
Another memorable technique involved using a wheelchair to create smooth, dynamic tracking shots in scenes where dolly equipment was out of reach due to the film’s budget constraints. These clever hacks not only added a unique style to the movie but have also influenced countless filmmakers in the horror genre.
Casting Bruce Campbell: The Birth of a Horror Icon
The Evil Dead owes much of its success to the presence of Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams. Campbell was a childhood friend of Sam Raimi, and it was this personal connection that got him the lead role. In fact, Campbell was more than just an actor on the film—he was also an executive producer, helping to secure funding for the project.
Campbell’s performance as Ash is a key part of what makes the film work. He starts as an everyman, but as the terror escalates, we see him transform into the resilient, chainsaw-wielding hero who would go on to become a cult figure in his own right. His mixture of deadpan humour and physicality laid the groundwork for the campier tone the series would eventually take. Though The Evil Dead plays it much more straight compared to the slapstick-heavy sequels, Campbell’s charisma shines through, making Ash a character you can’t help but root for.
Behind the Scenes: Trivia and Fun Facts
While the final product is a classic, the journey to completing The Evil Dead was fraught with challenges, from budget constraints to freezing conditions.
Here’s some fascinating trivia about the making of the film:
- The Cabin Location: The cabin used in the movie was located in Morristown, Tennessee, but it wasn’t a soundstage—it was a real, dilapidated cabin. After production wrapped, the cabin was abandoned and later burned down. Today, only the chimney remains, and fans occasionally visit the site as a pilgrimage.
- Cold Conditions: Filming took place in the winter of 1979, and the conditions were brutal. Cast and crew often slept in the same cabin where they filmed, with no running water or electricity. To make matters worse, the temperature frequently dropped below freezing, adding to the discomfort.
- Raimi’s Love for Physical Torment: Sam Raimi has a bit of a reputation for tormenting his actors—particularly Bruce Campbell. During the film, Campbell endured countless bumps, bruises, and even injuries from the stunts and scenes. According to Campbell, Raimi believed that if an actor was in real pain, their performance would be more authentic.
- Fake Shemps: Throughout the film, the term “Fake Shemp” appears in the credits—a tribute to one of Raimi’s idols, the Three Stooges, and their use of body doubles. Many of the film’s background characters, demons, and stand-ins were played by different crew members or friends when the actual actors were unavailable.
- The Necronomicon and Real Myths: While the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis in The Evil Dead is a fictional creation, it draws inspiration from the writings of H.P. Lovecraft, who invented a similarly named book in his stories. Raimi took this idea and expanded on it, incorporating the book as a central plot device in the film.
- Stephen King’s Influence: The Evil Dead might not have achieved its level of success without the help of Stephen King, who gave the film a glowing review after seeing it at the Cannes Film Festival. His praise led to a wider distribution deal and ultimately helped the movie gain international recognition.
Legacy and Impact
Since its release, The Evil Dead has cemented its place as a horror masterpiece, largely due to its sheer inventiveness in the face of limited resources. It has influenced countless horror filmmakers and is frequently cited as one of the most important horror films ever made.
The film’s legacy continued with two sequels, a 2013 remake, and the popular Ash vs. Evil Dead TV series. Raimi, Campbell, and producer Robert Tapert remain closely connected to the franchise, with rumours of more content on the horizon, including new films and potential spin-offs.
Conclusion: A Cult Classic That Defined a Genre
The Evil Dead is a prime example of what happens when creativity and passion triumph over budget limitations. Its blend of relentless horror, innovative camera work, and DIY special effects have ensured its status as a beloved cult classic.
For horror fans, it remains an essential watch, offering both frights and fun in equal measure. And for filmmakers, it stands as a testament to what can be achieved with grit, determination, and a little blood—both real and fake.
Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer to the world of the Deadites, The Evil Dead continues to be a spine-chilling, entertaining ride through the macabre wilderness of independent horror filmmaking.
MOVIE RATING
Image Copyright: All Images on this page remain the property of their respective owners. Credit is given wherever possible. If you are the owner of an image featured and have not been credited, please let us know, we are happy to remove or credit any offending image.
© Colin Lawson Books