DVD review (region 1)
Directed by Sam Raimi
Starring Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Betsy Baker
Released 18 December 2007

Five teenagers spending the weekend in a remote cabin discover the legendary ‘Book of the Dead’, alongside some voice recordings, in the basement. When the tapes are played demonic spirits are conjured up…

The Evil Dead is, of course, a classic horror movie and any self-respecting shock cinema buff should already have a copy. Therefore, it seems incredibly pointless to release yet another edition on DVD – especially when Sam Raimi’s 8mm short film Within the Woods (which also starred Campbell and Sandweiss) is still not present. That said, what is here should definitely appeal to Dead-ite lovers old and new.

First up is a new hour-long documentary about the main attraction featuring commentary from the likes of Eli Roth and Edgar Wright as well as the main cast and crew. This is far more invigorating than you might imagine and leaves no question unanswered.

Disc two (which includes a widescreen version of the main feature) introduces 60 minutes of outtakes and alternative shots – no doubt stored away in Sam Raimi’s basement until the time was right to fleece hardcore Bruce Campbell fans out of their cash.

The third disc focuses on the ‘Ladies of the Evil Dead’ – with two sit-down conversations (one featuring Bruce Campbell) allowing the largely forgotten trio of actresses to reflect upon how vomiting blood, gnawing flesh and screaming bloody murder changed their lives. A couple of hilarious audience question and answer sessions with the actresses, Campbell, special effects artist Tom Sullivan and Sam’s brother Ted round things off.

If you haven’t bought The Evil Dead already then this is the best release to date, but to everyone else the Ultimate Edition may seem even more exploitative than the movie’s onscreen rape-by-tree. Calum Waddell

VERDICT: 8/10
Yes, Ellen Sandweiss still looks fabulously glamorous – but do you want to buy yet another edition of The Evil Dead to discover this?