The Mopeds from Hell return for a serious Ash kicking!! (The Evil Dead (DVD))

Member Name: NikkiAFox

Product:	The Evil Dead (DVD)
Date:	05/09/01 (171 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It's finally on DVD, Its Uncut

Disadvantages: Missing behind the scenes section

The Evil Dead has graced our shores in many different forms for over 18 years.... Finally thanks to Anchor Bay UK its the digital Dead and its uncut!!

The Evil Dead caused a major stir back in 1982 when it was released, in fact it was its success in the UK that stopped it becoming just another B movie. Instead it spiralled to cult status and has spawned 2 sequels and a video game.

The story is very simple, 5 friends travel up to a cabin deep in the woods of Tennesse, but their plans for a quiet weekend are shattered when the group find a tape recorder and a strange book in the cabin's cellar. The tape recorder contains demon incantations that release evil spirits intent on possessing the teens, turning them into flesh eating zombies...

The film was an injection of pure adrenalin to horrors main artery when it was originally released, but don't expect state of the art special FX, this is a strictly low budget affair that relied on Director Sam Raimi's visual flair and dark, dark humour.. oh and a few buckets of blood and gore.
Add to this the always excellent Bruce Campbell in the lead role as Ash (If only there was an Oscar for taking a good beating.)and evil spirits that sound like they are approaching on mopeds. You've got yourself a classic.

To the DVD itself

The Good News - This is a great transfer, remastered under the supervision of Sam Raimi with a new remixed Dolby 5.1 soundtrack.
In places the new transfer shows up the the low film quality of the original - Take a close look at cabin shots with the full moon in the background.
But I'm just being picky.

For years I have owned an original video release of the Evil Dead (The version released before the video nasties hysteria.) which I had beleived to be the uncut version. I'm glad to say I was wrong.
All of the films goriest scenes have got additional footage, some of which is definately a first for a UK version. (The
BBFC's new relaxed attitude is beginning to pay off.)

The disc also cotains 2 commentaries, 1 from Director Sam Raimi and producer Rob Tapert, and an amusing track from Bruce Campbell

Also included are the original US trailer and a stills gallery of colour and black & whites photos.

The Bad News - The content of this UK release is almost identical to the US collectors edition on the Elite label, with the exception of 20 minute behind the scenes/alternate shot section which contains some scenes that were cut from the final release.
It would have been nice to see that included here.


This aside it is still a great release and a must for Evil Dead fans with region 2 players.

Lets hope Anchor Bay UK keep up the good work for future releases.

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