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The Evil Dead (1981)

NC-17 | | Horror | 15 April 1983 (USA)
The Evil Dead Poster
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Five friends travel to a cabin in the woods, where they unknowingly release flesh-possessing demons.

Director:

Sam Raimi

Writer:

Sam Raimi

Stars:

Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeManincor | See full cast & crew »
71
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Popularity
1,354 ( 210)
3 wins & 1 nomination. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bruce Campbell ... Ashley 'Ash' J. Williams
Ellen Sandweiss ... Cheryl
Richard DeManincor Richard DeManincor ... Scott (as Hal Delrich)
Betsy Baker ... Linda
Theresa Tilly ... Shelly (as Sarah York)
Philip A. Gillis Philip A. Gillis ... Fake Shemp (as Phil Gillis)
Dorothy Tapert Dorothy Tapert ... Fake Shemp
Cheryl Guttridge Cheryl Guttridge ... Fake Shemp
Barbara Carey Barbara Carey ... Fake Shemp
David Horton David Horton ... Fake Shemp
Wendall Thomas Wendall Thomas ... Fake Shemp
Don Long Don Long ... Fake Shemp
Stu Smith Stu Smith ... Fake Shemp
Kurt Rauf Kurt Rauf ... Fake Shemp
Ted Raimi ... Fake Shemp
See full cast »
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Storyline

Five college students take time off to spend a peaceful vacation in a remote cabin. A book and audio tape is discovered, and its evil is found to be powerful once the incantations are read out loud. The friends find themselves helpless to stop the evil as it takes them one by one, with only one survivor left with the evil dead and desperately tries to fight to live until morning. Written by Miss Murder

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

cult film | evil dead | necronomicon | supernatural rape | book of the dead | See All (257) »

Taglines:

They got up on the wrong side of the grave. See more »

Genres:

Horror

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated NC-17 for substantial graphic horror violence and gore | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
Edit

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 April 1983 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Sam Raimi's The Evil Dead See more »

Filming Locations:

Michigan, USA See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Renaissance Pictures See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (FSK 16)

Sound Mix:

Mono | DTS (re-mastered version)| Dolby (5.1)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

During a close-up involving Richard DeManincor's hand opening a curtain, Sam Raimi used his own hand in the scene since it was more convenient. See more »

Goofs

The sunrise at the end of the movie is reused footage of the sunset at the beginning. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Scotty: Hey, Ash, where are we?
Ash: Well we just crossed the Tennessee border...
See more »

Crazy Credits

The swing music from the old Victrola in the cabin's cellar plays during the closing credits, only to wind down and grind to a stop leaving the sound of the wind to accompany the rest of the credits. The final sound heard as the closing credits end is the fly buzzing - the first sound heard in the opening of the film. See more »

Alternate Versions

The 2012 Blu-Ray release has several subtle digital alterations to remove visible lighting and camera equipment, hair in the camera gate, and steadies the matte painting shots of the moon on the horizon, along with the ending stop-motion sequence. In addition, Rob Tapert standing in the background when the Oldsmobile drives over the bridge has been digitally erased. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Braccati (2001) See more »

Soundtracks

Old Baby Moses And The Thrillers Song
(uncredited)
Written by 'Baby Moses and the Thrillers'
Performed by Theresa Tilly and Richard DeManincor
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where is the location of the cabin?
Q: What are the differences between the old British BBFC 18 VHS and the Uncut Version?
Q: What about the infamous Lightning Scene?
See more »

User Reviews

 
A Horrific Masterpiece
13 January 2005 | by caspian1978 – See all my reviews

Sam Raimi proved to the world that he could not only direct a movie but that he could create a product that was not only original but that could scare the hell out of you. Since the 1981 release, Bruce Campbell has found work on many film projects due to his break out performance in the Evil Dead. Raimi, has gone on to direct many films. Both have earned much of their career based on this little horror movie, that has been re-produced / recycled by thousands of "wanna-be" film makers world wide. This is not your typical "zombie" film, let alone your garden variety horror movie as well. The Evil Dead is one of those black comedies / horror movies that overwhelms the audience to either be scared out of their wits or won over by the movie's story and over the top characters. The Evil Dead is what most, if not all horror movies should be, very real and powerful.
50 of 80 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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