The Evil Dead 1981 * * * Stars

Director: Sam Raimi
Year: 1981
Rated R
Rating: * * * Stars
Cast: Bruce Campbell, Betsy Baker, Ellen Sandweiss

The Evil Dead is a tiny horror film made for virtually nothing (reportedly, the budget was in the realm of $300,000 which even in 1981, was relatively cheap). However, it's still larger than life. Director Sam Raimi was only about 20 years old when he decided to travel to the middle of nowhere and confidently direct an all out classic. His talent is embedded in every frame and his use of camerawork was ahead of its time for the shock/horror genre. There's a grainy, unsettling feeling in the proceedings with demonic creatures that spook you one minute and make you nervously laugh the next. Raimi's childhood friend Bruce Campbell (the iconic character named Ash) stars.

The Evil Dead reigned in cult status, spawned an even more critically acclaimed sequel (I find Evil Dead 2 to be more polished and coming off as a total retread), and put its Michigan born director on the map. It's proof that at the time, studios did a lot cinema wise with so so little.

Written by Jesse Burleson