Audio :
The filmmakers certainly never intended to have this film presented in the 6.1 channel mixes that are supplied on the DVD. Yes, both Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES are available for selection on this latest "The Evil Dead" offering. The age of the film and nature of the source materials were apparent while listening to the film, but overall, the new soundtracks sound very good. Dialogue is clear and very intelligible. There are no pops or hissings to be heard. Sound is spread rather nicely across the front speakers and inhabits the surrounds more than I had anticipated. Some of the environmental effects contained in the film, such as the evil wind, encompass the listener with clear and wondrous sound. Sound effects used to heighten the suspense and tension of "The Evil Dead" come alive from all directions and the .1 LFE channel pumps out powerful bass. The picture quality may not have been as good as I had hoped, but the sound quality was exquisite.
Extras :
You are not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but the look of "The Evil Dead: Book of the Dead Edition" dictates that there had better be some fine supplemental materials contained within its pseudo-flesh bound bindings. Fortunately, the DVD delivers on what the visuals promise. All of the previous supplements from the earlier Anchor Bay and Elite DVDs and LaserDiscs are contained, along with two new supplements. The DVD was to contain the original "Within the Woods" 8MM film that Raimi, Tapert and Campbell produced to raise funds for the feature film, but due to licensing problems, it is missing. I imagine that film will eventually make a DVD release the definitive version, but for now, this is certainly as good as it gets for "The Evil Dead" on DVD.
The supplements carried over from the Elite Entertainment DVD and now being delivered on both the standard Anchor Bay release and this Limited release include two commentaries, outtakes and behind the scenes footage and some promotional materials. The promotional materials offered include the theatrical trailer, some Michigan television spots and a very large still gallery that contains publicity, makeup, and a few humorous entries. I personally laughed at the localized TV spots. Of course, the interactive menus contain talent files on the three principle personalities responsible for the film, Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert and Bruce Campbell.
The two commentaries included on these DVDs are easily the best one-two punch in DVD and LaserDisc commentary history. The first commentary features Raimi and Tapert describing what it is like to produce the film from behind the cameras. These men are worth listening to and quite fun as they describe their experiences. The second commentary features the highly personable and always entertaining Bruce Campbell offering his (sometimes counter) views on what it was like to make the film from an actor´s standpoint. Each of these commentaries can stand on their own as being some of the greatest ever, but what really makes them special is listening to Raimi and Tapert and then hearing Bruce Campbell dispute or agree with what was earlier said. I have now listened to both of these commentaries twice and easily believe I will sit through them again.
The commentaries were enough to make the previous Elite Entertainment DVD and the standard Anchor Bay edition worth owning. However, there is also an eighteen minute long featurette that is comprised of outtakes and behind-the-scenes footage taken from the production set (aka Log Cabin) of the movie. In the end, you find yourself wishing for more of this footage, but it is quite humorous and gives a good little look at what it was like to bring this small budget film to the big screen and some of the hardships the actors were put through.
The "Book of the Dead Edition" features two new supplements that were previously unavailable. The first of these is the Bruce Campbell directed documentary "Fanalysis." For those unfamiliar with Mr. Campbell, this wonderful thirty-minute feature shows how Campbell does not live up to his billing as the greatest B-Movie star ever, but how he embraces those that made him successful; his fans. Campbell is about as down to earth as you can get for a man who has been as successful as he has been. He actually answers many emails sent to him from his website. The purpose of his documentary is to take a look at the different levels of fans that follow him around at conventions and worship cinematic temples such as "Xena," "Star Wars" and "Star Trek." Campbell shows the excesses of these fans, but paints them for what they are, caring people who are impassioned about something and very much responsible for the success of what they worship. For fans of Bruce Campbell, this is certainly a must watch. The second featurette, "Discovering Evil Dead," runs for less than fifteen minutes and looks at how "The Evil Dead" was licensed by Palace Pictures and brought to the home and theatrical screens at the same time. Entertaining, but not quite as much as "Fanalysis."
Summary :
In the past decade, I have become quite a fan of "The Evil Dead," Sam Raimi and the legendary Bruce Campbell. Does yet another DVD release of "The Evil Dead" bring a feeling of discontent, or remind me of "Star Wars?" No. There are many reasons why fans of the film should own this DVD release. So far, this is the most comprehensive and best-done video release to date of "The Evil Dead." The Limited Edition "Book of the Dead" DVD contains the two excellent commentaries from the previous Elite Entertainment special edition release of the film, but two new features, "Fanalysis" and "Discovering Evil Dead." A second DVD is being released with this limited edition, but it contains only the supplements that were found on the Elite DVD. If you can afford the $50 "Book of the Dead Edition," it is well worth the price of admission. If you can live without the two new supplements and wonderful cover, the "20th Anniversary Standard Edition" costs only $20. Either way, you´ll be getting a great film and a great DVD.
The filmmakers certainly never intended to have this film presented in the 6.1 channel mixes that are supplied on the DVD. Yes, both Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES are available for selection on this latest "The Evil Dead" offering. The age of the film and nature of the source materials were apparent while listening to the film, but overall, the new soundtracks sound very good. Dialogue is clear and very intelligible. There are no pops or hissings to be heard. Sound is spread rather nicely across the front speakers and inhabits the surrounds more than I had anticipated. Some of the environmental effects contained in the film, such as the evil wind, encompass the listener with clear and wondrous sound. Sound effects used to heighten the suspense and tension of "The Evil Dead" come alive from all directions and the .1 LFE channel pumps out powerful bass. The picture quality may not have been as good as I had hoped, but the sound quality was exquisite.
Extras :
You are not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but the look of "The Evil Dead: Book of the Dead Edition" dictates that there had better be some fine supplemental materials contained within its pseudo-flesh bound bindings. Fortunately, the DVD delivers on what the visuals promise. All of the previous supplements from the earlier Anchor Bay and Elite DVDs and LaserDiscs are contained, along with two new supplements. The DVD was to contain the original "Within the Woods" 8MM film that Raimi, Tapert and Campbell produced to raise funds for the feature film, but due to licensing problems, it is missing. I imagine that film will eventually make a DVD release the definitive version, but for now, this is certainly as good as it gets for "The Evil Dead" on DVD.
The supplements carried over from the Elite Entertainment DVD and now being delivered on both the standard Anchor Bay release and this Limited release include two commentaries, outtakes and behind the scenes footage and some promotional materials. The promotional materials offered include the theatrical trailer, some Michigan television spots and a very large still gallery that contains publicity, makeup, and a few humorous entries. I personally laughed at the localized TV spots. Of course, the interactive menus contain talent files on the three principle personalities responsible for the film, Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert and Bruce Campbell.
The two commentaries included on these DVDs are easily the best one-two punch in DVD and LaserDisc commentary history. The first commentary features Raimi and Tapert describing what it is like to produce the film from behind the cameras. These men are worth listening to and quite fun as they describe their experiences. The second commentary features the highly personable and always entertaining Bruce Campbell offering his (sometimes counter) views on what it was like to make the film from an actor´s standpoint. Each of these commentaries can stand on their own as being some of the greatest ever, but what really makes them special is listening to Raimi and Tapert and then hearing Bruce Campbell dispute or agree with what was earlier said. I have now listened to both of these commentaries twice and easily believe I will sit through them again.
The commentaries were enough to make the previous Elite Entertainment DVD and the standard Anchor Bay edition worth owning. However, there is also an eighteen minute long featurette that is comprised of outtakes and behind-the-scenes footage taken from the production set (aka Log Cabin) of the movie. In the end, you find yourself wishing for more of this footage, but it is quite humorous and gives a good little look at what it was like to bring this small budget film to the big screen and some of the hardships the actors were put through.
The "Book of the Dead Edition" features two new supplements that were previously unavailable. The first of these is the Bruce Campbell directed documentary "Fanalysis." For those unfamiliar with Mr. Campbell, this wonderful thirty-minute feature shows how Campbell does not live up to his billing as the greatest B-Movie star ever, but how he embraces those that made him successful; his fans. Campbell is about as down to earth as you can get for a man who has been as successful as he has been. He actually answers many emails sent to him from his website. The purpose of his documentary is to take a look at the different levels of fans that follow him around at conventions and worship cinematic temples such as "Xena," "Star Wars" and "Star Trek." Campbell shows the excesses of these fans, but paints them for what they are, caring people who are impassioned about something and very much responsible for the success of what they worship. For fans of Bruce Campbell, this is certainly a must watch. The second featurette, "Discovering Evil Dead," runs for less than fifteen minutes and looks at how "The Evil Dead" was licensed by Palace Pictures and brought to the home and theatrical screens at the same time. Entertaining, but not quite as much as "Fanalysis."
Summary :
In the past decade, I have become quite a fan of "The Evil Dead," Sam Raimi and the legendary Bruce Campbell. Does yet another DVD release of "The Evil Dead" bring a feeling of discontent, or remind me of "Star Wars?" No. There are many reasons why fans of the film should own this DVD release. So far, this is the most comprehensive and best-done video release to date of "The Evil Dead." The Limited Edition "Book of the Dead" DVD contains the two excellent commentaries from the previous Elite Entertainment special edition release of the film, but two new features, "Fanalysis" and "Discovering Evil Dead." A second DVD is being released with this limited edition, but it contains only the supplements that were found on the Elite DVD. If you can afford the $50 "Book of the Dead Edition," it is well worth the price of admission. If you can live without the two new supplements and wonderful cover, the "20th Anniversary Standard Edition" costs only $20. Either way, you´ll be getting a great film and a great DVD.
Average user rating (1-5):
[release]9734[/release]