Sam Raimi, practically unknown a the time, secured $375,000 to begin shooting a film in 1980 by the name of "The Evil Dead." The film stars Bruce Campbell, Betsy Baker and Ellen Sandweiss and revolves around five college friends who come across the Book of the Dead. The film took little over a year to complete but was initially turned down by distribution outlets in the United States due to the intense gore and violence. After a European company purchased it during the well known Cannes Film Festival,it was released on October 15, 1981.
Grossing over $2million during its initial release, the film became a cult hit.
With over twenty years after its release and a remake on the way, "The Evil Dead" with the push of director Sam Raimi, leading actor Bruce Campbell and producer Robert Tapert, is being released next year as a midnight showing at selected theaters.
"Nothing can prepare an audience for what they are about to see, because nothing punishes an audience like Evil Dead - especially on the big screen," Bruce Campbell said. "I'm really glad it's back. People are gonna be hurt."
A special screening of the trilogy already took place in L.A.'s New Beverly Cinema this year but beginning next year, the film will have screenings in several Landmark theaters in the U.S., the Mayfair Cinema in Canada and eventually many other venues will be announced once 2010 arrives.
Whispers68: So who wants to revisit the film theatrically? Perhaps this will be your first time since like myself you weren't born when the film premiered.