There is no doubt that while The Evil Dead remains the franchise’s father, it was Evil Dead II that gave birth to all that was yet to come.
VHS and video rentals were the saviours of many low-budget horror movies in the 1980s and 1990s. But VHS didn’t just save The Evil Dead; it ensured Sam Raimi’s film became a cult classic.
If you are of a certain age, the video cover of The Evil Dead (1981) is forever etched in your memory, as is the movie itself, which many of us illicitly watched at home underage after persuading an older friend, parent or relative to rent it out.
The Evil Dead is a foundation stone for many an individual’s journey into horror, and let’s face it: there isn’t a better place to start. It’s a miracle the movie made it to video stores; after all, it was labelled as “obscene” and quickly removed on its first video outing as a “video nasty” before being resubmitted to the BBFC for VHS classification in 1990. Even then, it was cut from the version played in cinemas. It wasn’t until 2001 that Raimi’s film finally found peace in its uncut 18 certificate form.
Sam Raimi’s masterpiece isn’t your standard early-eighties horror; it’s a highly creative journey in visual and auditory terror. Working alongside Tim Philo and effects lead Tom Sullivan, Raimi’s low-budget gem creates an unforgettable and absurd movie experience through a plethora of fake blood, prosthetics, and model work. Here, elements of Night of the Living Dead and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre would combine with the atmosphere of H.P. Lovecraft as Raimi unpicked the classic ‘cabin in the Woods’ premise. Raimi’s ability to dovetail gut-wrenching, blood-soaked terror with moments of deliciously dark comedy naturally led to its 1987 sequel, Evil Dead II. But as sequels go, Raimi was about to throw the world a blood-drenched curveball as Bruce Campbell returned as Ash.
It could be argued that Evil Dead II is a comedy disguised as horror. However, this simply isn’t true, for Evil Dead II defies all genre labels anyone cares to apply. It is quite simply one of the most unique, creative and indescribable movies ever made: a fever dream that burrows into your mind and stays there forever, occasionally popping out to laugh uncontrollably and wave its bloody hand. There is no doubt that while The Evil Dead remains the franchise’s father, it was Evil Dead II that gave birth to all that was yet to come.
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