074 The Evil Dead (1983)

Retro Grade Podcast

“IT WON’T LET US LEAVE!“

On this week’s episode, we go back to another horror classic from the 1980s independent scene: The Evil Dead! Directed by Sam Raimi, starring Bruce Campell, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeManicor, Betsy Baker, and Theresa Tilly. Already having spoken about Sam Raimi in our Spider-Man episode, we were excited to re-watch the film that made him famous on the 40th anniversary of the film’s wide theatrical release. Originally being released in 1981, with a different title, the film has since grown to be an iconic horror franchise with multiple sequels, reboots, and a tv series on Starz. With both of us having already seen the film and being big fans of it and of Raimi, we were eager to re-visit the film and see how well the film has held up since it’s original release.

In the episode, we talk about the our thoughts on the story, and how while the film doesn’t do much too innovate or subvert the horror genre, it manages to not only be considered the definitive “cabin in the woods” film, but also influence future generations if filmmakers, from Eli Roth to Edgar Wright, to even some big time Hollywood directors like Francis Ford Coppola. We break down how some elements that were present in previous horror films, like the point of view shots from the killer’s perspective, to the blood and gore, to characterization of the villains, and how The Evil Dead managed to add it’s own spin on them. In that process, it created something that feels completely unique and recognizable.

We talk about the production of the film, and what a nightmare it was for the cast and crew. Dealing with one of the coldest Tennessee winters on record (at the time,) to uncomfortable makeup and prosthetics including glass contacts, and to the multiple injuries incurred on set, we look into all of the setbacks the production went through to finish the film. And lastly, we go into the reception of the film once released, from the cast and crew, horror fans, but also governments officials reactions to the film. The film got a lot of pushback from governments across the globe, including the United Kingdom, which classified the film as a “video nasty.” We go into that specific term and what it meant for many films that were considered too much for the general public.

So sit back and enjoy this new episode of Retro Grade Podcast!
Music is from Triune Digital and audio clips pulled from movies we will be reviewing in other episodes.

Artwork by @jannelle_o