The Evil Dead (1982)

Director: Sam Raimi
Genre: Gore/Horror
Cast: Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeManincor, Betsy Baker, Theresa Tilly
Certificate Rating: 18
My Rating: 3/5

The Video Nasty...



5 friends go on a trip and stay in a cabin in the woods. In the cabin they find a basement with a book 'Book of the Dead' and a tape which if opened and played evil is released into the world. Which they do...

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Sam Raimi has clearly proven he is one of the masters of gore. If you haven't seen 'Drag Me To Hell' (directed by Raimi) I'd suggest you go look at that too, it's a modern version of Raimi's 1980's style gore.
After studying film studies and having learnt about The Evil Dead being one of the first video nasties, who couldn't resist but watch something that was once banned in the UK as well as other countries. I have to say after watching it I didn't think it was too bad, if not comical. But as times have changed and most of our generation have grown up around CGI and other special effects I then thought, if I was someone in the 80's who had just seen this film, I would probably poop my pants. This film really does take you out of your comfort zone. I mean who would really want to be in their position? Not me! I think the low to floor point of view shots were very cleverly crafted adding the eerie atmosphere that not only the characters are fearing but the audience too.The effects are creepy, I hate creepy faces in general and the demons faces are rather displeasing to the eye (not going to say scary because they aren't) but they are definitely creepy. Plus who wouldn't be disgusted by the idea of a woman getting raped by trees/weeds - which led the film to being banned in some countries.

As all classic horrors go, you know you are not going to align with any character who decides to spend a holiday in a deserted cabin and go in the basement and open the Book of Demons and listen to the tape. It is their own fault, they brought it on them. However, maybe it is because I have studied film, the film is a bit predictable, you know something is going to happen when the music creeps in and builds to a crescendo and you know they are not all going to survive.

I have to say, excluding the 80's effects of gore and predictable plot line, the film was rather good to watch. Can't say it is one I'll be watching frequently but I'm glad I have seen what Mary Whitehouse was ranting and raving about to get banned. If you don't know who Mary Whitehouse is or the term  'video nasties' then read further down. The 2013 remake of 'The Evil Dead' is in cinemas now and although the trailer makes the new film doubly creepier than the original I shall be going to see it. Watch out for a review!!!

Mary Whitehouse criticised the BBC among other media platforms and critics accused her of being a homophobe and being overly censorious. Along with 'The Evil Dead' she also tried to ban Stanley Kubrick's 'A Clockwork Orange' (1971) for the violence featured in the film which was supposedly sparking "copycat" behaviour. Later Kubrick withdrew 'A Clockwork Orange' due to the copycat behaviours. Whitehouse also claimed that Doctor Who (yes the much loved television series) contained nightmarish and sick and horrible material.

Video Nasties was a term coined in the UK which applied to films and videos (which at the time were not necessarily rated) that contained extreme acts of violence or themes which not everyone could watch. Undoubtedly one of the most known and banned films was 'The Exorcist' (1973) (which I still refuse to watch, but maybe one day). Most of the decision on whether to ban a film or restrict it from the public was made by the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) or British Board of Film Censorship.

Enjoy x


IMDb:  Evil Dead