The Evil Dead (1981), written and directed by Sam Raimi.
The Blu-ray edition is much more splatteriffic than the videotape cut I saw ages ago. I don't know if I'll be seeing it again.
I was of two minds when watching this: first, how well does it work as a low-budget horror film? As per tradition, some comical interludes lure us into a false sense of security and the actual fear factor creeps up on us while we aren't expecting it. The swooping camera shots are particularly fine.
But that's only the first 20 minutes or so and when the demon transformations start we stop being part of the audience and are more like part of the crew, arranging blood splatter and dismemberment gimmicks, applying makeup and heaving the demon guts and ichor about. Hey, lady, do you have to use that dumb witchy giggle while possessed?
Which takes us to the second angle, watching it as an example of shoestring filmmaking by Super 8 students making their first 16mm project. The Blu-ray commentary track with Raimi, Bruce Campbell and Rob Tapert (producer) is a happy and enthusiastic reminiscence of the production, all about kids learning practically everything on the job. They tell a lot of funny stories about the weird characters they had to deal with, but are appreciative of everyone who helped them out and showed them the ropes. They knew absolutely nothing about the industry when they started.
Without a home video market or something like the Sundance festival back then, new filmmakers would break in with regional distributors for the drive-in market, a traditional venue for low budget horror.
The movie was a smash hit in the UK before it opened in the US.
Part of the experience of every new filmmaker is the disappointment of their professors when they see the results of their student's efforts.
That cabin had no toilet of any sort nearby. It was a matter of walking off into the woods, men and women both.
They had seen a example of Super 8 effectively blown up to 35mm but when they tried it on their own material the grain looked like flying golf-balls. Hence the shift to 16mm, more expensive and they had to hire professional help.
The Blu-ray aspect ratio is 1.33, which they say has not been seen since early theater showings. It must have been cropped at top and bottom until now.