The Holy Grail Of Splatter Horror!

Rating: 9/10 (21 October 2019)

"The Evil Dead" is a 1981 horror film written and directed by Sam Raimi starring Bruce Campbell and Ellen Sandweiss. There's probably no movie more controversial and simultaneously beloved than Sam Raimi's directorial debut. In Germany it was banned and highly cut for more than three decades and only hardcore fans had the chance to own it. It literally was unavailable as an uncut version until 2017 and now it's even rated 16. Last year I had the chance to finally experience what's claimed to be the holy grail of horror and I was tremendously impressed. This year, it did not change a bit. Unlike most people from my generation, I absolutely love this film for what it is. From start to finish it offers a gripping and sinister atmosphere that always sends shivers down my spine. Every single frame of this brims over with pure horror and it's incomparably iconic. While there's not much dialogue and the characters make some questionable decisions, it's scores with the pictures that speak for themselves. The best of it all are the absolutely gross and bloody special and make-up effects that haven't aged that well, but still manage to terrorise the audience with their excessive vehemence. Furthermore, every single character is worked out so well and sympathic, especially Campbell's Ashley Williams, the hesitant protagonist and hero against his own will. He really carries most of the film with his genuine coolness and well-paced character development. A hero the scared viewer can easily identify with. Next to this, the plot offers a lot of terrifying ideas and plays them out extremely well. Considering that this is a low budget production it made every single penny worth it. All in all, Sam Raimi created a timeless and horrifying splatter masterpiece that lives from its gorgeous effects and iconic scenes. Although it was a college student film it managed to become an infamous cult classic that will always scare the hell out of teenager generations to come. It might not have aged perfectly, but that's what makes it so special and remarkable. It breathes the essence of 80s horror. Also, it's absolutely inspiring for young filmmakers and shows them that you can achieve so much with so little. An all-time favourite that will never get boring. I love it!