QuickClick: Prepare for Evil Dead with Sam Raimi's 1979 Short Within the Woods
Posted 01.19.13 by Ryan
Fans of Sam Raimi's 1981 horror classic The Evil Dead initially bristled at the thought of a remake, but after not one but two red band trailers, those fans might changed their minds the remake. But while there is still almost four months before Evil Dead reaches theaters, the release of Raimi's 1979 short Within the Woods (via The Playlist) is just the thing to keep Evil Dead fans drooling with anticipation.
Working basically as a predecessor to The Evil Dead, Within the Woods followed two couples who decide to spend a weekend in a remote cabin in the woods that just so happens to be located on an Indian burial ground. When Ellen and Bruce (Evil Dead actors Ellen Sandweiss and Bruce Campbell) decide to go have a picnic, Bruce finds an ancient Indian dagger and decides to keep it, upsetting the spirits below. Despite the poor transfer of the VHS, there's plenty for Evil Dead fans to enjoy, as the short has plenty of familiar hallmarks from Raimi's Evil Dead trilogy, including scary sound effects, possessed characters saying "join us" and twisting, turning camera work, albeit done at a much lower budget ($1600, to be exact).
Evil Dead was directed by Peruvian newcomer Fede Alvarez, who co-wrote the script with Rodo Sayagues. Academy Award–winning screenwriter Diablo Cody (Juno) handled rewrites, while Raimi and Campbell produced. Watch the latest trailer here.