Evil Dead II (1987)

Director:

Sam Raimi

Writers:

Sam Raimi (written by)
Scott Spiegel (written by)

Release Date:

13 March 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Kiss Your Nerves Good-Bye!

Plot:

The lone survivor of an onslaught of flesh-possessing spirits holds up in a cabin with a group of strangers while the demons continue their attack.

Plot Keywords:

Cabin | Evil Dead | Demon | Book Of The Dead | Book

Awards:

5 nominations

Cast

Bruce Campbell	...	Ashley 'Ash' J. Williams
Sarah Berry	...	Annie Knowby
Dan Hicks	...	Jake
Kassie Wesley DePaiva	...	Bobbie Joe (as Kassie Wesley)
Ted Raimi	...	Possessed Henrietta (as Theodore Raimi)
Denise Bixler	...	Linda
Richard Domeier	...	Ed Getley
John Peakes	...	Professor Raymond Knowby
Lou Hancock	...	Henrietta Knowby
Snowy Winters	...	Dancer (dance sequence)
Sid Abrams	...	Fake Shemp
Josh Becker	...	Fake Shemp
Scott Spiegel	...	Fake Shemp
Thomas Kidd	...	Fake Shemp
Mitch Cantor	...	Fake Shemp

Also Known As:

Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn
A Morte Chega de Madrugada (Portugal) [pt]
Dood vóór de dageraad (Netherlands) [nl]
Evil Dead 2 (France) [fr]
Evil dead 2 - Mort à l'aube (Canada: French title) (video title) [fr]
L'opéra de la terreur 2 (Canada: French title) [fr]
La casa 2 (Italy) [it]
Martwe zlo (Poland) [pl]
Nekros tin avgi (Greece) (video title) [el]
Oi diamones estisan horo (Greece) [el]
Tanz der Teufel 2 - Jetzt wird noch mehr getanzt (West Germany) [de]
Tanz der Teufel 2 - Tod bei Morgengrauen (West Germany) [de]
Tanz der Teufel II (West Germany) [de]
Terroríficamente muertos (Spain) [es]
Uma Noite Alucinante (Brazil) [pt]
Uma Noite Alucinante 2 (Brazil) (video title) [pt]
Vahset (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]

Runtime:

84 min | Sweden:70 min (video version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-18 (2002) | Germany:18 (SPIO/JK) (re-rating) | West Germany:18 (video rating) (cut) | Argentina:16 | USA:R (edited UMD version) | Portugal:M/18 | Netherlands:16 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Ontario) (Re-rated 2007) | Canada:R (Ontario) | Italy:VM18 (video rating) | UK:15 (2008) (re-rating) | UK:15 (re-rating) (2008) | Germany:16 (cut DVD version) | Sweden:18 (DVD rating) | Italy:T | Chile:18 | Australia:R | Canada:R | Denmark:15 (DVD rating) | France:-12 | Hong Kong:III | Iceland:(Banned) | Ireland:18 | Japan:R-15 | Singapore:R21 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 (cut) | UK:18 | USA:R (edited for re-rating) | USA:Unrated | USA:X (original rating) | Norway:18 (video) (2002) | Norway:(Banned) (original rating) (1986-2003) (cinema release)

Filming Locations:

De Laurentiis Studios, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA

Company:

De Laurentiis Entertainment Group (DEG)

Trivia:

The sexy, surly Bobby Joe was inspired by Holly Hunter, who was a housemate of Sam Raimi's in the early 80s, along with Joel Coen and Frances McDormand. One particular incident inspired the character: Hunter was auditioning for a hooker part and was unusually made-up and wearing a sexy, short-skirted outfit. She became angry at Raimi when he somewhat leered at her. Raimi pulled for Hunter to play the part, but the producers wanted someone "sexier".

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Henrietta is attacking Ash as he is dragged out of the cellar by Jake, her right 'arm' only covers Ted Raimi's arm up to the elbow, where his rolled up sleeve is visible below the very tattered end of the fake arm. The left arm is full of tears, and neither is fitted well to the hands.

Quotes:

[Ash is trapped in the cellar with Henrietta walking towards him]
Ash: Open the door. There's something down here!
Annie: Open it. Quickly
Jake: It's a trick

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Fanalysis (2002)

"Come to sweet Henrietta!"

Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn is the sequel to the ultimate experience in grueling terror. Evil Dead II is the definitive cult flick and perhaps my favorite horror film (top five at least). Bruce Campbell takes on the role of Ash once again in this hilariously horrific sequel to a legendary movie. Few sequels live up to the original and fewer still surpass it. This is one of those rare instances. This movie is out of this world. Sam Raimi is a genius with a camera and has gone on to create some damn fine films. He deserves every amount of success he has gained. The script is inventive, highly original, and funny as all hell. It's a mix of horror, laughs, and gore; or splatstick as Campbell calls it. Once again, Campbell's facial expressions alone are worth the price of admission. If that doesn't get you the laughing deer head will. Evil Dead II: Dead By Dawn is a true horror masterpiece. A completely original concept, some screwy camera angles, and one Bruce Campbell make for an entertaining combination. If you don't like it, "I'll swallow your soul, I'll swallow your soul."