Guillermo del Toro on Sam Raimi's Evil Dead 2

Source: The Documentary "Bloody And Groovy Baby! A Tribute to Sam Raimi's Evil Dead 2" (2018).
Excerpts of Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro talking about the influence of horror icon Sam Raimi's genre redefining classic Evil Dead II (1987).

[@double-og4570]

Both Tarantino and Del Toro praised Raimi's film is enough to tell you how Raimi pioneered film making.

[@schizofrito]

Don't forget James Cameron praised it too.

[@seanhart9706]

They should all cast campbell in a movie

[@TxxT33]

He had his own style which is the sign of a real artist...but he made some real crap too, but that's forgivable. Del Toro made some real turds in his time lol

[@UngoogleableMan]

And don't forget Stephen King's shining review.

[@pureluck8767]

Same with Steven Spielberg

[@jimbeam2299]

Raimi is underrated. A director generally known for horror gets the chance to make the first actual Spider-Man film ever… and he knocks it out the park. And manages to create probably the greatest superhero film of all time with the sequel. His camera work really did change the game which is one of the many reasons Evil Dead is so legendary

[@the_original_Bilb_Ono]

I personally don't like super hero movies except the first 2 spiderman movies by Sam Raimi.

[@KingCrimson82]

​@@the_original_Bilb_Onoits true i remember enjoying them, like maybe, maybe they are closer to what superman with reeve was than to moderb marvels

[@cyberpunkholiday]

Del Toro: “The way Sam Raimi used the camera was completely new!” Cut back to 1981 - Sam is running as fast as he can screaming through the woods with a camera on his shoulders. “Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!”

[@dawnatkinson7704]

He is sooo right about what Sam accomplished. Those scenes where the camera is rushing through the woods, the house - i get what he says about letting the camera free!

[@DicklessHipster]

I've never heard Evil Dead 1 described as punk, but that's exactly what it is. That's why it's so popular, even though it's a bit amateurish and juvenile it's fuckin' punk.

[@mayssm]

Yes, it's like someone saying. "Look, we don't have the money, experience, or materials necessary for this project" and the leader going, "I don't want to hear it! We are doing it with what we've got!"

[@the_original_Bilb_Ono]

What movie would you consider "metal"? I'd like to see a film which embodies the feeling of metal, heavy metal in particular. And i don't mean "a heavy metal movie" where the movie is like those cheesey 80s movies that Kiss did where the guitar playing tough guy kills monsters while crappy metal plays. I mean the movie embodies metal without playing metal music or apeing off it's style directly.

[@knowthycell]

@@the_original_Bilb_Ono try *Heavy Metal*

[@davewebster5120]

It's incredible to hear this praise from Guillermo as a master of camera work and horror/the grotesque. But it's jaw-dropping to hear james cameron's praise. I read bruce campbell's autobiography and they were a bunch of poor college students all pulling extra duty behind the camera as a labor of love. It's amazing to see what it became as a fan but even more impressive to see how well it's regarded by cream of the crop film-makers.

[@Anticury_8462]

Both Evil Dead 1 and 2 are total Masterclass of Horror and Cinematography. And I love how in recent years that's being apreciated

[@Will21st]

Evil Dead 2 is a masterpiece, an 85 minute film school.

[@DrOktober]

100%

[@barryhercules6486]

Agreed

[@Emulous79]

He's right about the first Evil Dead being punk. Totally has that feel. Funny how he says "bollocks" with that accent, lol.

[@pdzombie1906]

Watching Evil Dead 2 is like loosing your virginity, an experience you never forget!!! Thanx for sharing!!!

[@flynnparker7294]

Well it depends on how you lost your virginity lol, I wouldn’t use that comparison myself 😂

[@forestfam2439]

I was drugged for my first time! 😎

[@matias5817]

You're right, it was so painful, my uncle visit us drunk that night

[@barryhercules6486]

Agreed

[@GIJane-nr2xm]

I'm pretty sure she forgot it

[@user-xz4hq7iu7m]

Evil dead 2 is my all time favorite movie

[@timthompson9246]

It's a bloody masterpiece!

[@stinkybojangles4128]

Definitely a top 5 film for me

[@PrimarchX]

I think Raimi has a lot of influence from comic book panel phrasing of the '60s and '70s, too. I still think his fight(s) between Spiderman and Doc Ock in Spiderman 2 is the best translation of a classic Marvel comic's fight to the big screen.

[@TheGeneralDisarray]

Also the scene in the operating theatre when Doc Ock comes to life is just the best villain entrance scene

[@reckoner1913]

Except one clean punch from Spiderman should kill Doc Ock. It always bothered me that he's just soaking hits from a guy who should be able to punch through an armored car.

[@PrimarchX]

@@reckoner1913 Well, that's not the movie's fault. Spiderman was punching baddies like that for decades before Raimi came along.

[@KelsaRavenlock]

For old comic book aesthetics Darkman has some great scenes along those lines. And as a bonus you get to see Liam Neeson as the lead in an early goofy Raimi film.

[@slamindorf5478]

@@reckoner1913 spiderman canonically holds back his punches to not kill people

[@MrNotJoker]

The symphonic never mind the bollocks! What a great interview

[@ihartTSwift]

Bruce Campbell is the best B-movie actor of all time! But he should have been a much bigger star!

[@Dutch_man20]

Freal. He has a lot of acting range physically and artistically that I feel he should have landed in a lot more movies

[@Sam-lm8gi]

Agreed. Not only was he a ridiculously handsome leading man in his prime, and extremely charismatic, but he proved that he's a great dramatic actor in films like Bubba Ho-Tep: the only Elvis/Mummy movie to make me cry like a baby.

[@batsematary]

So true

[@eveecco]

He and Jeffery Combs deserve to be more recognized in the industry.

[@Lupinvej]

His book, If Chins Could Kill, is a must read. It’s so good.

[@martinelfert]

What a fascinating reflection. I love, in particular, the category or concept of "sophisticated juvenilia." That is *exactly* what Evil Dead 2 is - and, in different ways, what films such as "Top Secret" and "40-Year-Old Virgin" are. Deeply, deeply silly movies done at the highest level of craftsmanship.

[@Psilocybin77]

I remember reading in one of Bruce Campbell's books that for filming on The Evil Dead, Sam Raimi had mounted a camera to a plank of wood and would run around with it. Amazing what a creative mind can do with so little.

[@jumhed994]

'If Chins Could Kill'

[@ETBass-zx3mw]

Del Toro is today's Alfred Hitchcock. He is a directorial genius. Rami is an innovator and understands how comedy really works. Timing is a quality that cannot be under appreciated.

[@bofo85]

Just listening to Del Toro’s views on Evil Dead 2 makes you want to see it again. Great breakdown

[@dopefish2245]

Evil Dead 2 is my favorite mocie of all time so its always fun to see other very talented and respected directors talk good on it

[@bernecomp]

The most eye-popping movie I have ever seen.

[@despicabletaylor4079]

His appreciation of the camera work is humbling

[@nicklewandowski3877]

High praise from another distinct artist.

[@samfilmkid]

Del Toro's film analogies are on par with Tarantino and Scorsese!

[@kavid8120]

every single word Del Toro spoke was so thought out and so powerful

[@maurogarces7337]

He depicted the eye scene (and some others) in such a detailed way that you can tell, the movie left a strong impression on him and probably influenced/inspired him greatly in his early years

[@benjaminsnderstrup1761]

That's really cool.

[@thelordofCinema2779]

One great trilogy Evil dead. And The remake and Serie too it're very good. Sam Raimi is a god in the Movies-B and terror.

[@barryhercules6486]

If you love the trilogy, may I recommend the TV follow up Ash vs Evil Dead. I thought it was a great companion to the movies. Bruce Campbell was just a joy to watch.

[@thelordofCinema2779]

@@barryhercules6486 i saw the series the Ash vs Evil dead to years age, and remember that in this time it'was my favorite serie. Kelly was my crush in this series 😍🖤❤. Even wait a Four Season.

[@holden6104]

That eyeball cover needs to keep it real and show the stick holding the eyeball up.

[@slamrobot6584]

Calling it "punk" is amazing.

[@mike-a-me6311]

Sam Raimi's Evil Dead 2 Is Classic. Evil Dead 2 Will Stand The Test Of Time! People Will Still Be Watching Evil Dead 2 In The Future!

[@staretimecomics]

This was great to see. Thank you very much for posting.

[@codekhalil6437]

This is why many love and praised Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness...Sam Raimi. It had the best camera work in the MCU to date. And it was essentially a Sam Raimi MCU movie with a witch and a wizard in it. We tip our hat to the master

[@cbrreezzyy69]

Imagine how much better it would have been if he wasn’t handcuffed. The story is a convoluted mess.

[@dboygamer8184]

@@cbrreezzyy69 it was still enjoyable compared to the shitshow that was Jurassic World Dominion

[@kylesawkon4074]

It had its moments but it still kinda was bad overall

[@christopherauzenne5023]

I agree that Sam raimi/evil dead films did sorta reinvent the use of the camera/liberated it. I think in part this liberation was thanks to the fact Sam raimi didn’t go the traditional film school, he just sorta jumped from making 8mm films with his friends to a theatric, fairly budget movie. Not trying to disrespect anyone who took or is studying film in college/institutes but I feel that sometimes it, along with just most major education, can sometimes result in only viewing that medium through a specific lens or they just teach you to view things in A SET way. Since Raimi didn’t go through that method it feels he has a lot more energy and feels like he can go more wild. Imagine if you and your friends are suddenly given a huge some of money to make a film with little restrictions you would probably go crazy and have a tone of energy to do whatever and have a lot more fun with the camera and how you use it

[@mayssm]

There aren't many movies that can terrify you while making you laugh. Sure, there are a fair amount of "Horror Comedies", but Evil Dead really got the hackles to rise on your neck while also introducing Three Stooges comedy. It's almost an impossible feat.

[@Thulgore]

The laughing deer head on the wall still creeps me out. Hell even seeing a animal mounted on a wall causes me to imagine it changing into that scene.

[@mayssm]

@@Thulgore We have a deer head in our basement that we inherited from my wife's grandfather. It creeps me out every time I notice it. I'm not sure when decapitated heads became a decorative item...

[@ELFanatic]

Horror Comedies just don't compare to Evil Dead II. It's just not even in the same ballpark.

[@dazwannawzad9272]

Evil Dead 2 is still my fav....story wise and for cinematic presentation.

[@TheProphegy]

Bruce Campbell would’ve been an awesome Hellboy if Pearlman didn’t do it.

[@obi-wanshinobi2353]

Such incredibly high praise love to hear it

[@clemtoe]

Sam Raimi is the Eddie Van Halen of filmmaking.

[@JackHammer503]

What I wouldn't give to see Bruce Campbell in a GDT movie

[@LeroyKinkade]

I went to see Evil Dead II with some friends when it first came out on a Saturday afternoon in Nottingham, They played Bad News the documentary when they play Donington Monsters of Rock before the film Evil Dead II. : D Crazy and best afternoon watching two great and funny films!

[@ricksomething]

Imagine that. He saw a movie in a theater. That's mind blowing.

[@cleftturnip7774]

They're both great but I prefer the first Evil Dead movie

[@mortytheorgre1500]

I would love to see an evil dead film made by del toro

[@drewlovelyhell4892]

Whenever Sam Raimi feels depressed, he watches this video.

[@Ludzig]

It's savage *air guitars*

[@tommyt1971]

In the end, ED2 is... groovy.

[@the_original_Bilb_Ono]

I've only seen Army Of Darkness, but I've wanted to see Evil Dead 1&2 for years now, i just never had the opportunity. I don't have any streaming sites. I use to have Netflix but it wasn't on there.

[@marshallodom1388]

The camera picks you out of your seat and thrust you head first through the screen and into the world of the Deadites, the same way Bruce was tossed around. I've shown Evil Dead to every girl friend I ever had, then I'd have to go get another one.

[@judsongaiden9878]

Who was it who said, "The thing about Sam Raimi is he's always trying to make a Three Stooges picture."?

[@blackice8043]

Sam Raimi is probably the only man who could make a Three Stooges film without the original Stooges and it be as good as the original shorts.

[@AGoodJoe]

Spot on

[@MyScorpion42]

Evil Dead 1 is Punk, Evil Dead 2 is Post-Punk

[@xshadowscreamx]

Sounds about right

[@xshadowscreamx]

Army of darkness is metal

[@pop000690]

​@Radio Raven AOD is probably more Power Metal. 2013 Remake is more Death Metal and Evil Dead Rise is more Crust Punk. And the Ash vs Evil Dead TV show is like a mix of all of them

[@1Dreamking]

If GdT says something is good I listen.

[@jacobprevou1956]

I love this guy

[@afriend9428]

*Very well said no wonder his movies are great including Hell Boy*

[@IMDbStudio]

What he’s talking about here in terms of the film making is a production company called #introvision it was a one of a kind unique filming process and production company we work done this movie the fugitive and several high profile commercials this week it was before digital effects were a possibility it took 10 years before you could do what we were doing with this film process. Building the castle was a great honor and to be able to say that I worked with Sam Rami in anyway is also an honor. Still riding movies and still working on TV. #ImdbStudio.

[@dougbrowne9890]

I went to high school with the woman who played Ash's girlfriend in ED2. My favorite scene with her is when her head is in the vise, and Ash takes the chainsaw to her face. BOOYA!

[@InsideManyAk]

"sophisticated juvenalia" I'm definitely stealing this one cheers!

[@TheRAGE154]

The three stooges gone violent

[@bluceree7312]

Ash vs Evil Dead is also very funny. I'm sad it was cancelled.

[@AkimboPotatoes]

real recognize real

[@rickmaldoo4205]

I adore evildead2

[@carlpott2961]

Evil Dead is wonderful, but the Evil Dead II is even wonderfuler.

[@samuraigeorge71]

Evil Dead is a better horror movie. If you like some comedy in your horror movies, then go with Evil Dead 2.

[@robbiekimmel6283]

Oh yeah Raimi founded the famous Hollywood “rules of horror “ prop!!! Del Toro and Tarantino and “horror comedy dark “ praises and also “the Cohen brothers “ even though they accidentally tricked “Raimi “ with “crimewave “ and then Raimi himself gave them ideas to help them with “Fargo, the big Lebowski, bad Santa and especially “no country for old men”!!!

[@kunalandshorya]

This guy has taste in films...he recently praised avatar : the way of water. (Which endup 3rd highest grossing movie of all time ❤

[@logann7942]

At first I thought this said Benicio Del Toro. I was like damn he got fat.

[@zleepydude224]

Agreed

[@blackpeter70]

Not as exciting as the electro dance-off version, Evil Dead II Electric Boogaloo.

[@reservoirfrogs2177]

It's hard to convince people my age that these are great movies because not knowing how innovative it was, and not being in on what it's doing could easily cause someone to see it as tasteless and gorey trash.

[@kalladerexperimentx983]

French name is l'opera de la terreur- the opera of terror

[@MandleRoss]

I think he gets it.

[@christopherbrown6049]

Evil dead, I WISH I MADE THIS UNFORGETTABLE SHIT, all of them brilliant 😀😀😀😀

[@GodsJoseph13]

Lit

[@IamFirtyDucker]

Sam Raimi is a pioneer

[@roccocoyote]

Sí papí

[@DieselTrashBat]

That's not Guillermo that's Deadman

[@emeraldcelestial1058]

Your favourite film makers favourite movie.

[@richardthompson6366]

Evil Dead 2 is evilly good.

[@duhquadman]

"sophisticated juvenilia"

[@apollion888]

I was in my dismissive teenage phase when I saw the film and thought it was stupid. Obviously I have seen the error of my ways. You wouldn't believe what else I've seen.

[@nayrtnartsipacify]

sam raimi is the gabrielle d'annunzio of sandwich artists.

[@shinobi-no-bueno]

*Guerro del Toro

[@barbarapineda5730]

The directors, gullib..his, films, is so..scary, the directors, Steven, king's, films,Guillermo, films, is exs..to..scary, I purchase, ones his, films, videos movies the ones with a creepys actors, with his, head cuts..off his, parts of his, body..bury a bottom of his, body, semetry,

[@swaggydoo7377]

How is Evil Dead a B Movie? It's well acted, greatly written, creatively shot. B Movies are with the intention of being kinda bad. I see someone trying to revolutionize a genre that didn't even need a revolution yet but dammit he made the demonic subgenre greater tenfold. Catholic demons and evils were and are overdone but to have Native American demons possessing people one by one in a demon/slasher type of movie. I will forever be grateful to Sam Raimi for giving me a motion picture experience I can forever remember and have pride in. We'll never see another Evil Dead ever again. We'll never get another Bruce Campbell ever again. I can watch Evil Dead everyday for the rest of my life and still feel fulfilled.

[@steakandrice8354]

i think "A and B" movies are more of a reference to the production and budget than to the movie's quality itself. B movies are usually bad bc of this, i dont think they usually set out to be bad and a waste of money unless its like a parody or satire or something

[@alexpollock6932]

B Movies don’t have the intention to be bad. There are B movie directors that have fun with the schlock but for the most part B movies tend to be about the budget. It can be used for both but it’s usually about money

[@DigitalContentNetwork]

The most underestimated franchise that was bought by Dino De Laurentis..😉. They new how to sell the " indie " label these days.

[@DigitalContentNetwork]

@@steakandrice8354 its a brandmarketing narrative to divide the unspeakable for the audience from the cliches stuff they are used to and csn already identify. Same happened to the famous Western Series called STAR WARS.

[@alexcosta1695]

Bruh...I love evil dead but how can you think it's not a b movie is beyond me

[@keyman6689]

I thought it was hilarious and sometimes creepy as a teen. Three decades later I shared it with my son after not seeing it for a long time and it was embarrassingly bad entertainment. The technical achievements as GdT pointed out make it an important landmark in the advancement of cinema. But it hasn't aged well. There's some great, classic moments for sure, but as a whole it was better in its time.