One of the finest horror debuts ever.

Rating: 10/10 (27 July 2002)

Sam Raimi's directorial debut is a gore filled beauty of a film. It may not have award winning acting, but hey, who cares, it's still a load of fun to watch. Filmed on a micro-budget, 'The Evil Dead' is about five teenagers who are on vacation in a remote cabin in the middle of the woods. While there, they discover a book with ancient texts and a tape recorder which contains translations of said texts. Unwittingly, they play back the tape and unleash a horde of evil spirits that are lying dormant within the woods. What follows is a rollercoaster ride of mayhem and scares with a touch of humour. Director Raimi has created a cult classic and this is one movie that will be remembered throughout the annals of horror movie history. There are clear elements of inspiration in the film. Tobe Hooper's 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre' and George A. Romero's 'Night of the Living Dead' are to name but two, which then only adds to the ferocity of the film. This is for hardened horror fans and will no doubt attract future fans to the genre. 'The Evil Dead' is a one hell of a ride.