20 DVD Commentaries You Need To Hear Before You Die
16. Evil Dead
Participant(s): Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert The production process of Evil Dead has already been much discussed and documented. Horror fans are mostly aware of the shoe-string budget the film was shot on and the many issues encountered on-set. Shockingly the commentary from director Sam Raimi and producer Robert Tapert is still able to heighten our understanding of the 1981 gore-fest. The two highlight how they were heavily inspired by the tapestry of pre-existing horror films, explaining how various shots were intended to respond to some of the greats of the genre. For example, the ripped poster of The Hills Have Eyes in the cellar is a double-reference to the movie as there is a similar ripped poster of Jaws which appears in the 1977 film. This conveys the manner in which horror is an evolutionary genre, with filmmakers being heavily influenced by preceding movies. The commentary also gives a fascinating insight into Raimis mind. It was recorded in the late 1990s but the director had already matured a great deal since making the iconic horror film, on more than one occasion exclaiming oh God, we were so irresponsible. How the career of Raimi has changed; at one time making Evil Dead his feature debut on a budget of $100,000 before one day being trusted with nearly $300-million to make Spider-Man 3.
Hailing from South East London, Sam Heard is an aspiring writer and recent graduate from the University of Warwick. Sam's favourite things include energy drinks, late nights spent watching the UFC with his girlfriend and annihilating his friends at FIFA.
