Disc Details
Special Features:	Widescreen anamorphic format. Chapter selection. Interactive menus. THX Optimizer. Box set: 24 page replica of "Book of the Dead" from the movie with a cover that feels like human skin. Commentary track by director Sam Raimi and producer Robert Tapert. Commentary track by star Bruce Campbell. Four Theatrical trailers. In-depth talent bios and filmographies. Featurette: "Discovering Evil Dead." Documentary:"Fanalysis" by Bruce Campbell. Outtakes and behind the scenes footage. Still gallery. 24 page collectible booklet featuring the history of "Evil Dead" on home video. Weblinks to Bruce Campbell, Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert, Tom Sullivan, Ted Raimi and five other "Evil Dead" related sites. Subscription coupon to "Rue Morgue" magazine.
Video Format:	Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1) [SS-DL]
Languages:	English 6.1(DTS-ES) English (Dolby Digital Surround 2.0 EX) French Dolby Surround 5.1 French Dolby Surround 2.0) THX Certified
Subtitles:	None.
Captions:	Yes
Casing:	1-Disc Custom Case

Five college students rent a Tennessee (I have to 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!

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" on video 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.

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."

Picture Quality: 10/10
I've had or seen several video versions of this movie. This DVD is the best I've ever seen. I don't know what "The Evil Dead" looked like on the big screen, but I can't imagine it looked much better than it does here. Very good delineation between colors. Much of this takes place at night. The various shades of black are fine. Great use of shadows and darkness. None of this is lost in the transfer. During the rape of one of the females by the demonically possessed woods, there is a matte shot of a full moon added for atmosphere. In every version I've ever seen, you can tell it is a matte shot. No difference here. Rich red colors, especially during the films gory finale.

Sound Quality: 10/10
I don't think the film has ever sounded this good, and I'll bet it didn't sound this good in the theaters! This movie will put goose-bumps on your goose-bumps. Sound plays a huge part in the terror. Great sound-effects ranging from demonic unseen specters to the possessed voices of the victims.

The THX optimizer lets you set you home theater system for peak performance. Both DTS and THX 2.0 sound excellent. I don't speak French, but I put it on just to hear what the cast would sound like. Check it out for laughs.

Menu: 10/10
Great design. A multitude of screens. Easy to navigate. Creepy use of images and sounds from the movie. Cool design. Hell, I'll even forgive Anchor Bay for not including pictures on the chapter selection on this one!

Extra Features: 10/10
I'll start with the case. The case is a replica of the "Book of the Dead" prop from the movie. The cover is made of thick rubber and looks just like the one in the movie. The book in the movie was bound by the flesh from a human head. The book itself has 24 pages which include drawings and runes based on the original artwork in the movie prop. The book also includes the chapter listing, weblinks to various cast and crew members and "Evil Dead" movie sites. Tucked inside this book is another 24 page booklet that details the history of the making of the movie. The DVD is tucked away inside a plastic protective case on the back page.

Bruce Campbell fans will love this DVD. First, there is his commentary track. It is funny, informative and well...it's Bruce. I read his autobiography, "If Chins Could Kill" and found him to be a down to earth guy. The kind of person you'd like to hang out with at a bar. He's funny as hell and would be a good person to watch your back if a fight started. All of this personality comes across in the commentary track. He also has what appears to be a love-hate relationship with Sam Raimi. The two commentary tracks contradict each other in places where Mr. Campbell and Mr. Raimi call each other liars. Mr. Campbell also directed a quirky documentary "Fanalysis." The 26 minute movie looks into the different degrees of fandom. It was filmed at a fan convention in which Mr. Campbell appeared. The fans range from the polite folks who want an autograph and to let the various stars know they appreciate their work, to the costumed loonies who go as far as getting plastic surgery to look like their favorite characters.

There are 18 minutes of outtakes and behind the scenes footage which give you very good insight into the making of a low budget, independent film. It takes some of the magic out of the movie going experience in that you see how certain special effects are done, but it is informative, especially to movie geeks like myself.

"Discovering Evil Dead" is a featurette covering the release of "Evil Dead" on video and in the theaters in England. "Evil Dead" was one of the films which started the "Video Nasties" censorship movement in England. One of the better short films on this subject I have seen.

The talent bios are very lengthy. After reading the Bruce Campbell bio on the DVD you might want to get his book. I highly recommend it.

Good photo gallery and trailers. The "Evil Dead" insert book is also very informative. Nice illustrations.

The Final Word:
An outstanding product designed to please fans. This is an expensive DVD. Some things cost a lot but are worth it. This is definitely worth the price of admission. Fans will want this. For those who can't afford the limited edition, Anchor Bay is also releasing a Traditional DVD version which doesn't include the "Fanalysis" or "Discovering Evil Dead features. It comes in a regular keep case and includes a special "Ladies of the Evil Dead" booklet. Once again ANCHOR BAY proves they are the best of the best.

Rusty White