the honest writer and rater is back after a long absence!!!!
the honest writer and rater is back after a long absence!!!!
Member since:16.01.2001
Reviews:69
Members who trust:80
This Saturday evening, as usual, with nowhere to go, no babysitter available, and a lack of funds, (where's that bloomin' Ciao payment??!!) meant that when Sky TV phoned my partner offering him a cut price subscription to Film Four, the digital Channel Four film channel, we leapt with delight!
Our reason for this glee was not that we are complete saddo's, but was due to the fact that we were going to subscribe anyway - because a certain movie was to be screened on Film Four that my partner was desperate to see again, and I was desperate to see full stop!
Now this film was the cause of much controversy and outrage when it was first released in the early eighties - 1982 I believe. It was talked about as the most shocking horror movie at the time, and in the playground the most popular boys would brag about obtaining counterfeit copies and watching it on Betamax video (!)- much to the envy of the rest of us normal kids.
When we settled down to watch
this film I was scared. I honestly thought that I would be in for a real frightening experience, and made sure I had my duvet to hide behind before the film started. With baited breath the film began........
(Now my partner had told me that I would find this movie hilariously funny, and would not be scared at all - but considering that he was allowed to watch all manner of grizzly things from an early age I knew he was 'hardened' to horror flicks, in that he thoroughly enjoys watching horrific violence and macabre things! (no don't worry, he's not abnormal - just a horror film fan)) I on the other hand tend to frighten at the stupidest things imaginable - I got scared at Casper the friendly ghost - well, that's a slight lie but you get the picture!!
Here is a quickie run down: Let your mind imagine flared lapels, heavy lip gloss, and plenty of early 80's - cant bear to leave the 70's styling...... A group of teenagers go away on a trip to a cabin in the woods. Male/Female bonding ensues. All is going well when one of the group finds a tape recorder and begins to play it. Weird recording of man uttering weird language plays and 'something evil' is awoken outside the house - but this is unknown to the teens at the time. Later on, one of the group thinks someone is outside, and alone in the fog, in a dressing gown on her own, goes to investigate (the way that you would!!!)
The 'evil' thing in the woods attacks her, actually the trees attack her!! Now this scene with the trees is the scene that caused the most outrage about the film as the tree 'rapes' the girl. She manages to escape, run back to the house but the evil follows. One by one the friends are turned into zombies and try to kill each other.
I can honestly say that I have never laughed at a horror film before. Until I saw this film that is.
The special effects such as the zombies themselves are shining examples of the flexibility that can be achieved with face paints. The 'gore' that ensues during the zombie attacks are advertising heaven for the manufacturers of play-doh.
Have you ever seen those animations on BBC 2 that have weird drawings of twisted images? This is the level of horror that The Evil Dead provides.
Now, I do understand that this film was made a long time ago, and that we are now accustomed to seeing super scary films, with superb camera angles and soundtracks that heighten our fears, with special effects costing millions of pounds - but there are 'old' movies out there that are plain scary and carry it off with finesse - Texas Chainsaw anyone????
This movie had the most laughable moments in movie history! Zombies that look identical to when Uncle Jack turned up on the doorstep last Halloween to impress the kiddies. A giggling woman zombie sitting with her legs crossed in the middle of the room - giggling, giggling, giggling - ooohh how scary!
My main reason for actually writing this op was to question how on earth this film gained such a reputation. Was it just my age at the time of its release and the usual playground scare rumours? I am almost definitely sure that special effects were at a more advanced stage than this film used. Was it a case of extremely clever advertising and hype?
This movie has puzzled me, frustrated me, amused me and humoured me.
If you want to watch a classic horror movie, this is one to watch despite my opinion of it. It is a movie that everyone should see, because of its reputation.
It has to be seen to appreciate real cheese. It has to be seen to baffle your memories of being told tales of the scariest movie around. It just has to be seen to be believed!!!!
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Production Year: 1998 - Horror - Director: Steve Miner - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Michelle Williams, Adam Arkin, Adam Hann-Byrd, Janet Leigh, L.L. Cool J.
Seen this film umpteen times - still scares the hell outa me!x
crustypaul 14.04.2002 19:29
I think it is the overwhelming disregard for anything approaching good taste that gave this film the reputation that it has. I don't think it was ever that frightening, it's just the over the topness (is that a word?) that makes it fairly intense viewing although i would agree that a lot of it is very funny. Did you notice the way that over and over again, in one shot the hero is soaked with blood and yet 2 minutes later he is totally clean. He also has an alarming habit of getting caught under shelving whenever he is attacked. I think this film is seem as a blueprint for a lot of late 80's early 90's horror and should be viewed as such. Cheers.
Nov 26th, 2001
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