This one is Raimi's second feature film. It was done on a shoestring budget of $350,00. Bruce Campbell even put a lien against his house to raise some necessary funds. Sam Raimi had just turned 20 when he began filming this. The rating also goes between X and NC-17 due to the extreme amount of gore (which seems almost tame these days). I need to watch the documentary as the entire process of getting this film produced seems as crazy as that of Apocalypse Now. Oh, and I was Rook's age when this was released.
This was our introduction to the geek god, Bruce Campbell. He's always been a favorite of mine and I've seen most everything he's done.
The film is simple, in premise. There is a cabin in the remote woods and a group of young people are going to spend the weekend there. A book and tape recorder are found and end up raising a dormant evil. The rest is them trying to survive.
The thing with this film is that it had new and unique methods of filming. Sometimes you saw the direct result of the evil, sometimes you didn't. There is a campiness factor to it but at the same time the story can be pretty creepy. This first film in the franchise tried to be more 'serious' but it begins to add more 'camp' as the films go on. It has a big cult following. A three-season series was even made for Showtime (which is great) and they are currently working on another film.
This is one of those films that, if you can ignore some simplistic makeup, gore, and special effects, it is a solid horror film. There is a very distinctive Sam Raimi style which follows him through to Doctor Strange. It's a geek director making a geek film and it works.
Yes, I'll recommend this. Just realize it's not for the kiddos! :)
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