Just when you thought you’d seen it all in “The Evil Dead,” Anchor Bay Entertainment will commemorate the film’s 25th anniversary with the all-new, three-disc “The Evil Dead Ultimate Edition” on December 18th. “The Evil Dead Ultimate Edition” will be released under the prestigious “Anchor Bay Collection” brand, which has previously released comprehensive DVD editions of such horror classics as “Re-Animator,” “Phantasm” and “Hellraiser.”
Over the years, Anchor Bay Entertainment has released numerous special editions of “The Evil Dead,” each one more dynamic and diabolical than the one that preceded it, in an effort to continually satiate and satisfy the ravenous hunger of the film’s worldwide legion of fans. “The Evil Dead Ultimate Edition” tops — and buries — them all! Celebrate the original Sam Raimi masterpiece with two versions of the movie (for years, fans have demanded the release of the original full-frame version), six new featurettes that revisit the film’s cast, crew, biggest fans and enduring legacy, plus never-before-seen production footage, outtakes and deleted scenes, reconstructed and restored specifically for this edition! That’s enough to fill several Necronomicons!
Upon its release in 1982, “The Evil Dead” was immediately hailed as a new horror classic. Best-selling author Stephen King called the film “the most ferociously original horror film of the year.” In the ensuing quarter of a century, “The Evil Dead” is one of the most influential, landmark horror films of all time.
The film launched the careers of writer/director Sam Raimi (the “Spider-Man” trilogy, “Darkman,” “The Quick and the Dead”), producer Robert Tapert (“Xena: Warrior Princess,” “The Grudge,” the “Spider-Man” trilogy) and executive producer/leading man Bruce Campbell (“Bubba Ho-Tep,” “Sky High,” “Man With the Screaming Brain”).
Five college friends, including Ash (Campbell) drive to a remote cabin in the woods for a weekend of fun. Little do they realize that their fun will soon turn to fear, as an unstoppable supernatural force has been unleashed and surrounds the woods around them. One by one, they fall victim to the demonic forces at large, resurrected as murderous demons which can only be destroyed by dismemberment. Easier said than done. Soon, only Ash is left to combat the evil before it consumes the world. It’ll be a fight to the death … and to the undeath.
The film’s mammoth success has thus far inspired two equally popular sequels, “Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn” and “Army of Darkness,” as well as a series of popular video games with rumors of an upcoming remake produced by Raimi and Tapert’s Ghost House Pictures.
“The Evil Dead” also stars Ellen Sandweiss (“Satan’s Playground,” “Brutal Massacre: A Comedy,” the upcoming “The Dread”), Betsy Baker (the upcoming “Witches’ Night”) and Sarah York (the upcoming “Brutal Massacre: A Comedy”).
Each disc in the “Evil Dead Ultimate Edition” contains extensive bonus features, many exclusively produced for this special edition and featuring never-before-seen footage:
DISC ONE (WIDESCREEN VERSION) SPECIAL FEATURES
One by One We Will Take You: The Untold Saga of “The Evil Dead” – NEW!
Audio Commentary by Director Sam Raimi and Producer Robert Tapert
DISC TWO (FULL-FRAME VERSION) SPECIAL FEATURES
“The Evil Dead”: Treasures from the Cutting Room Floor — NEW!
Audio Commentary by Actor Bruce Campbell
DISC THREE SPECIAL FEATURES
Life After Death: The Ladies of “The Evil Dead” – At home, on the road and behind-the-scenes with Ellen Sandweiss, Betsy Baker and Theresa Tilly – NEW!
The Ladies of “The Evil Dead” Meet Bruce Campbell” – Ellen, Betsy & Theresa join Bruce for an informal yakfest – NEW!
Unconventional – Cast and crew reunite to discuss horror conventions and beyond – NEW!
At the Drive-In – A no-holds-barred Q&A with a drive-in audience of hardcore fans – NEW!
Reunion Panel – The once-in-a-lifetime panel at Chicago’s Flashback Weekend Horror Convention – NEW!
Discovering “The Evil Dead” – A look at the British home video release of “The Evil Dead” and its place in the “Video Nasties” debate
Make-Up Test
Trailer
TV Spots
Still Gallery
Poster & Memorabilia Gallery
You can also rest assured — and in peace — knowing that somewhere buried amongst “The Evil Dead” will be lurking an Easter Egg or two.
