Evil Dead II (1987)

Director:

Sam Raimi

Writers:

Sam Raimi (written by) &
Scott Spiegel (written by)

Release Date:

13 March 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror

Tagline:

Kiss Your Nerves Good-Bye!

Plot:

The lone survivor of an onslaught of flesh-possessing spirits holds up in a cabin with a group of strangers while the demons continue their attack.

Plot Keywords:

Cabin | Woods | Demon | Cabin In The Woods | Book Of The Dead

Awards:

5 nominations

Cast

Bruce Campbell	...	Ashley 'Ash' J. Williams
Sarah Berry	...	Annie Knowby
Dan Hicks	...	Jake
Kassie Wesley DePaiva	...	Bobby Joe (as Kassie Wesley)
Ted Raimi	...	Possessed Henrietta (as Theodore Raimi)
Denise Bixler	...	Linda
Richard Domeier	...	Ed Getley
John Peakes	...	Professor Raymond Knowby
Lou Hancock	...	Henrietta Knowby
Snowy Winters	...	Dancer
Sid Abrams	...	Fake Shemp
Josh Becker	...	Fake Shemp
Scott Spiegel	...	Fake Shemp
Thomas Kidd	...	Fake Shemp
Mitch Cantor	...	Fake Shemp
Jenny Griffith	...	Fake Shemp
William Preston Robertson	...	The Hand / The Dark Spirit / The Deer Head / The Enchanted Objects (voice)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Tony Elwood	...	Luggage Monkey (uncredited)
Sam Raimi	...	Medieval Soldier (uncredited)

Directed by
Sam Raimi

Writing credits
Sam Raimi		(written by) &
Scott Spiegel		(written by)

Produced by
Bruce Campbell	....	co-producer
Alex De Benedetti	....	executive producer
Irvin Shapiro	....	executive producer
Robert G. Tapert	....	producer

Original Music by
Joseph LoDuca		(as Joseph Lo Duca)

Cinematography by
Peter Deming		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Kaye Davis

Art Direction by
Randy Bennett
Philip Duffin

Set Decoration by
Elizabeth Moore

Makeup Department
Wendy Bell	....	makeup artist
Howard Berger	....	special makeup effects unit crew
Robert Kurtzman	....	special makeup effects unit crew
Gregory Nicotero	....	special makeup effects unit crew
Shannon Shea	....	special makeup effects unit crew
Mark Shostrom	....	special makeup design and creation
Aaron Sims	....	special makeup effects unit crew
Bryant Tausek	....	special makeup effects unit crew
Mike Trcic	....	special makeup effects unit crew
Tim Turner	....	detail sculpting assistant (uncredited)

Production Management
Joseph C. Stillman	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
K. Siobhan Phelan	....	second assistant director
Joseph Winogradoff	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Jerry Adams	....	carpenter
Andy Boswell	....	assistant to art director
Michael Burnett	....	sculptor
Johnna Butler	....	leadman
Reed Downy	....	carpenter
Tony Elwood	....	special props
Larry Fox	....	construction coordinator
Tony Gardner	....	sculpting
Wayne Gathins	....	carpenter
William Hamilton	....	set painter
Charles Lear	....	carpenter
Wayne Leonard	....	set dresser
Margaret Prentice	....	painting (as Margaret Beserra)
Scott Shamis	....	carpenter
Blanche Sindelar	....	prop master
Steve Wang	....	sculptor
Bobby Maness	....	carpenter (uncredited)
Daniel Nalepka	....	carpenter (uncredited)

Sound Department
John Voss Bonds Jr.	....	sound effects editor (as John V. Bonds Jr.)
Thomas Bush	....	assistant sound editor
Mike Dickeson	....	foley artist
Kevin Hill	....	sound effects editor
Thomas Morrison	....	sound mixer (as Tom Morrison)
Drew Neumann	....	additional synthesized sound effects (as Drew Newmann)
Yvonne Preble	....	assistant sound editor
Chris Rabideau	....	dialogue editor
Cindy Rabideau	....	sound effects editor
Andrew Schatz	....	sound re-recording mixer
Steve Sheranian	....	sound effects editor
Julie Spears	....	foley artist
John W. Walter	....	boom operator (as John Walter)
Brian E. Wedewer	....	sound effects editor (as Brian Wedewer)
David John West	....	sound re-recording mixer (as David West)
David John West	....	supervising sound editor (as David West)
David Lewis Yewdall	....	additional sound effects (as David Yewdall)
Ron Ayers	....	post production sound (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Vern Hyde	....	special effects foreman
Dale Johnson	....	special effects assistant
Margaret Prentice	....	detail and painting (as Margaret Beserra)
Dave Thiry	....	special effects assistant
Tom Barkstedt	....	special effects technician (uncredited)
Douglas Evan Hersh	....	special effects gaffer (uncredited)
Gary Jones	....	special effects technician (uncredited)
David Moenkhaus	....	special effects (uncredited)
Gregory Nicotero	....	special effects technician (uncredited)
Daniel S. Noga	....	special effects cinematographer (uncredited)
Brian Joseph Ochab	....	stop motion animation assistant (uncredited)
Larry Odien	....	mechanical effects (uncredited)
Mike Tristano	....	special effects technician (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Jim Aupperle	....	effects photography supervisor
James Belohovek	....	miniature supervisor (as James Belohobek)
Doug Beswick	....	stop motion animation
Yancy Calzada	....	stop motion armature
Robert Dyke	....	miniatures (as Bob Dyke)
Tom Hitchcock	....	miniatures
Bob Kayganich	....	matte painter
Rocky Mohoney	....	optical line-up
Joseph Wallikas	....	optical camera operator (as Joe Wallikas)
Larry Arpin	....	optical effects (uncredited)
Vicki L. Engel	....	visual effects production assistant (uncredited)
Joseph Thomas	....	animation cameraman (uncredited)

Stunts
John Casino	....	stunts
Sandra Lee Gimpel	....	stunts (as Sandy Gimpel)
Gary Jensen	....	stunt coordinator
Debby Lynn Ross	....	stunts (as Debbie Lynn Ross)
Blanche Sindelar	....	stunts
Ben Jensen	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Brigette Alexander	....	second assistant camera
Bob Brown	....	crane operator
Brendan Creadle	....	additional assistant camera
Mike Ditz	....	still photographer
Robert Duffin	....	gaffer
Chris English	....	electrician
Roy Gittens	....	grip
Tim Philo	....	director of photography: second unit
Billy Pierce	....	grip
Maribel Rodriguez	....	electrician
Ruben Rodriguez	....	best boy (as Rubin Rodriguez)
Hamid Shams	....	first assistant camera
Eugene D. Shlugleit	....	director of photography: night exterior photography (as Eugene Shlugleit)
Josh Steinberg	....	grip
Larry Steinberg	....	key grip
Sarah Berry	....	clapper girl (uncredited)
Michael Gulbin	....	rig constructor (uncredited)

Animation Department
Rick Catizone	....	henrietta transformation and hand animation
Katherine Kean	....	animator: main titles (as Kathy Kean)
Larry Larson	....	animation photographer
Bill Notaro	....	mechanical designer
Tom Sullivan	....	animator
David Moenkhaus	....	animator (uncredited)
Brian Rae	....	assistant animator (uncredited)

Casting Department
Brian Penikas	....	molds and casting
Samuel Warren	....	additional casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Vicki Graef	....	wardrobe
Randall Ouzts	....	assistant wardrobe

Editorial Department
Rob Anderson	....	apprentice editor
Paul Harris	....	assistant editor
Michael Jonascu	....	assistant editor
Dorothy Tapert	....	apprentice editor
Daniel S. Frisch	....	post-production assistant (uncredited)

Music Department
Sheldon Newmann	....	music technical consultant
Chris Rabideau	....	music editor
Dennis J. Tini	....	conductor

Transportation Department
David Goodman	....	transportation

Other crew
Pam Billingsley	....	provider: horse and riders
Ricky Billingsley	....	provider: horse and riders
Andrea Brown	....	dance choreography
Teresa Burkept	....	foam fabricator: tree branch and rotten apple head
Michael Burnett	....	sculpting and detail
Cathy Carpentar	....	assistant accountant
Mary Ann Creamer	....	production assistant
Diane Dankwardt	....	production accountant
Elaine Dysinger	....	production coordinator
Tony Gardner	....	sculpting and detail
Pryor Gibson	....	location contact
David Goodman	....	studio manager
Ruth Jessup	....	production secretary
David Kindlon	....	mechanicals
Susan Labatt	....	dance choreography
Larry Odean	....	cosmetic contact lenses
Linda Ohman	....	caterer
Paul Ohman	....	caterer
Karalyn Parsons	....	production assistant
Davi Trotti	....	production assistant
Tam G. Warner	....	animated dance choreographer
Mark Bryan Wilson	....	foam fabricator: tree branch and rotten apple head (as Mark Wilson)
Michael D. McAllister	....	production assistant (uncredited)

Thanks
B.V. Hedrick	....	special thanks
Betty Huntley	....	special thanks
Harry Huntley	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• De Laurentiis Entertainment Group (DEG)
• Renaissance Pictures

Distributors

• Rosebud Releasing Corporation (1987) (USA) (theatrical)
• Paramount Pictures (1987) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Vestron Video (1987) (USA) (VHS)
• Succéfilm AB (1988) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Vestron Video International (1988) (Sweden) (VHS)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1998) (USA) (DVD)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1998) (USA) (VHS)
• Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2001) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Kinowelt Home Entertainment (2001) (Germany) (DVD)
• RCV Home Entertainment (2001) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (UK) (2003) (UK) (DVD)
• Sandrews (2003) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Universal Home Video (2004) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Gativideo (2008) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures Nordic (2009) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures Nordic (2009) (Sweden) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Hoyts Distribution (1987) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Shochiku-Fuji Company (1987) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Trifilms (1988) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Esselte CIC Video (19??) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Flashstar Home Vídeo (19??) (Brazil) (VHS) (as "Uma Noite Alucinante 2")
• Lionsgate (2011) (USA) (video)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2002) (Finland) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Acme Effects
• Spectacular Effects International (special effects)

Other Companies

• Anivision  Henrietta transformation and hand animation
• Anson County Board of Commissioners  special thanks
• Anson County Board of Education  special thanks
• B/G/L Post Inc.  optical house (as B/G/L Post)
• Bon Bon  payroll service
• Completion Bond Company  bonding company
• Costume Armor Inc.  armor
• Doug Beswick Productions Inc.  animated dance sequence and tree branch and rotten apple head
• Grace & Wild Studios Inc.  special thanks (as Grace & Wild Studios)
• Great Northern Brokerage Services  insurance (as Great Northern)
• Harley Davidson Motorcycles  special thanks (as Harley Davidson)
• Henry Little and Company  special thanks
• International Casting Service  additional casting
• Investors of Evil Dead I  special thanks
• J-D-C America Inc.  cameras (as JDC America)
• Lu Lu's Lingerie  special thanks
• Magic Lantern  miniatures
• North Carolina National Guard  special thanks
• Pepsi-Cola Company  special thanks (as Pepsi Cola)
• Reel People Inc.  negative cutter (as Reel People)
• Residents of Anson County  special thanks
• Rippy Oldsmobile  special thanks
• Samuel Warren & Associates  additional casting (as Samuel Warren and Associates)
• Travel Gallery  special thanks
• Vernors  special thanks
• West Productions  sound re-recording
• West Productions  sound recording

Also Known As:

Runtime:

84 min | Sweden:70 min (video version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:R | Canada:R | Denmark:15 (DVD rating) | France:-12 | Hong Kong:III | Iceland:(Banned) | Ireland:18 | Japan:R-15 | Singapore:R21 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 (cut) | UK:15 (re-rating) (2008) | USA:R (edited for re-rating) | USA:Unrated | USA:X (original rating) | Norway:18 (video) (2002) | Norway:(Banned) (original rating) (1986-2003) (cinema release) | Finland:K-18 (2002) | Germany:18 (SPIO/JK) (re-rating) | West Germany:18 (video rating) (cut) | Argentina:16 | USA:R (edited UMD version) | Portugal:M/18 | Netherlands:16 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Ontario) (Re-rated 2007) | Canada:R (Ontario) | Italy:VM18 (video rating) | UK:15 (2008) (re-rating) | Germany:16 (cut DVD version) | Sweden:18 (DVD rating) | Italy:T | Chile:18 | Brazil:14 (DVD rating) | Brazil:16 | New Zealand:R16

Filming Locations:

De Laurentiis Studios, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA

Company:

De Laurentiis Entertainment Group (DEG)

Trivia:

The sexy, surly Bobby Joe was inspired by Holly Hunter, who was a housemate of Sam Raimi's in the early 80s, along with Joel Coen and Frances McDormand. One particular incident inspired the character: Hunter was auditioning for a hooker part and was unusually made-up and wearing a sexy, short-skirted outfit. She became angry at Raimi when he somewhat leered at her. Raimi pulled for Hunter to play the part, but the producers wanted someone "sexier".

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: 31:49 into the film: While Ash is wrapping his "Stump" in the white cloth and duct taping it, his fingers are clearly visible underneath the cloth.

Quotes:

[Ash grabs a chainsaw]
Ash:That's right... who's laughing now... who's laughing *now*?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Spaced: Art (#1.3)" (1999)

A rerun it may be but it is still an unsettling, funny and enjoyable rerun thanks again to Raimi and Campbell

Having lost his girlfriend to the undead, Ash is forced to face the possessed corpse of his former lover Linda and cut her up with a chainsaw to stop him becoming her victim. However the demons in the cabin are not that easy to stop and soon his hand has become possessed as well. While he battles to stop his hand killing him, a group of four young people are heading to the cabin in seek of shelter for the night, only to find themselves trapped in the same fight as Ash as barely managed to survive thus far.

Despite that fact that Sam Raimi is now a "proper" director making summer blockbusters like his life depended on it, it is still heartening to see that his frenzied style is still present in his work, albeit it not dealing with such extreme material as that which made his name famous decades ago. While Evil Dead II may be a complete repeat of Evil Dead in terms of the basic narrative and content, it is still worth seeing because of Raimi's skill as director and writer of the film. In the UK Evil Dead earned notoriety for being one of the "video nasties" that the BBFC took such objection to and, in doing so, probably greatly boosted its cult appeal here, and to rerun this film is not a major problem because it does have enough energy and good qualities going for it to be worth a watch if you're into your horror.

However horror fans may find it a little tame by modern standards although I still found it to be pretty scary and gory – certainly considering it was made almost 20 years ago with a budget that would barely buy you an A-listed movie star these days. The film is also pretty funny and is full of dark humour and comic moments that make it more entertaining than a gory b-movie has any right being. But here's the thing, the success of this film and indeed the whole trilogy, is mainly due to two people – Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell. Raimi drives everything with his unique direction that places the action somewhere between a horror and a cartoon. It has great camera work, frantic shots and a real flair for the unreal; it is very hard to describe but it can be seen it many of his films.

Campbell's ongoing cult status has only been helped recently by Bubba Ho-tep but this is where it basically began and part II only sees his continue his good work as Ash becomes more of a hero than he was in the first film. He still has the cowardly quality that I loved in Ash but now has weapons and kiss-off lines to compliment his new status. As before his performance perfectly matches Raimi's direction and I can totally understand why the two have kept their close relationship decades later – they really seem to "get" each other here. Support from Berry, Hicks, DePaiva, Domeier and Bixler is just about passable for this type of b-movie stuff but really the cast is dominated by Campbell playing his best character to date.

Overall this is a gory, cheap horror movie that won't appeal to everybody but to those that get it, it will be a hugely enjoyable, gory film with a great sense of humour. Director Raimi and actor Campbell truly make the film work better than the material would suggest it should and, on the basis of any of the three films, it is no wonder that this is such a timeless cult horror.