Details

Release year: 1992

Storyline

When Ash Williams is accidentally transported to 1300 A.D., he must retrieve the Necronomicon and battle an army of the dead in order to return home.

Top credits

Directors

Sam Raimi

Writers

Cast

Bruce Campbell — Ash
Embeth Davidtz — Sheila
Marcus Gilbert — Arthur
Ian Abercrombie — Wiseman

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Did you know

• Bruce Campbell says that in order to make it appear that the chainsaw was always running, tobacco smoke was pumped through a tube that was slid up his right pant leg, up his shirt, and into the chainsaw.

• Much of the film was shot with multiple cameras simultaneously rolling on both wide shots and close-ups, rather than shooting a master first and later a close-up. Because of this, the boom mic had to be kept back further from the subject than would usually produce acceptable audio. For this reason, Bruce Campbell often wore a wireless transmitter, with the microphone pickup concealed in the chainsaw pull-start hook on the strap that crossed his chest, and the transmitter tucked down inside the shotgun holster on his back. Campbell had to be assured that the black foam ball covering the microphone pickup would not be visible on camera.

• During the scene where Ash is being pelted with rocks, fake rocks were used. To get a more realistic reaction out of Bruce Campbell (and partially as a prank), director Sam Raimi pelted him with potatoes. This cut was used. Raimi also told the special effects people to make the fight choreography as difficult as possible for Campbell ('Make him go through torture!'). Since he had to memorize his complex set of moves against invisible enemies that would later be added in post-production, Campbell would be "cussing and swearing" to keep up, and sometimes take thirty-seven takes to get it right.