Im so confused by the Evil Dead releases (and also by the hundreds of threads about it..so i thought id create another one )

Would the 2 book of the dead releases be the best way currently to see these films ? I loved these movies but havent seen them for about 10 years (and that was on VHS ).

Yes!!

No, it would not. Evil Dead 1 has been cropped from it's original aspect ratio of 1.33:1, to create a widescreen transfer for the dvd. Get the Image release of the first film instead.

I will be getting that BOTD 2-pack next month. I know ED1 was matted but I don't think it would bother me too much.

The image release is a good one to get though. I have that and the BOTD version for the first film.

Says you. Bill Warren's "The Evil Dead Companion" puts the original AR at 1.66:1. 1.85:1 framing for the AB DVD was approved by Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell.

DJ

I watched the Elite version and the Anchor Bay version side by side on DVD about 2 weeks ago, and the only difference is that Anchor Bay looked to have made it 1:37:1 and slapped on black bars.

Yes, that's how 1.85:1 films are usually made: the entire 1.37:1 negative is exposed during filming, and mattes are applied to cover the top and bottom to achieve the wider ratio. "Slapping on black bars" has been industry standard for matted widescreen filmmaking for about 50 years.

DJ

And lose that fantastic DTS track?

Get the Book versions. Sure they smell like gasoline for the first few weeks after you open them, but if you don't already own either on DVD, this is the version you want. See DVD Talk Review of Evil Dead 2.

The Elite disc is CUT! There's a crude animation of a lightning bolt hitting a tree in "The Evil Dead" and it's MISSING from the open-matte Elite version (and the open-matte Anchor Bay version too, as far as I know) and Anchor Bay's director-approved widescreen transfer has the shot restored.

thanks guys i'll pick these up soon. I loved the series but was put off by the seemingly endless rereleases of it.

Is there a book of the dead release for army of darkness on the horizon ?

This should be the end of the argument right here.

Get the BotD versions.

Wow, I didn't know that. If true, this makes owning only the BOTD edition of Evil Dead much easier for me. Can anybody confirm that the Elite disc is indeed cut?

I can, I have both discs and the Elite version is definitely missing the lightning bolt animation.

where can i get the BOTD 2-pack

Most stores that sell dvds on 11/22/05.

It's not out yet.

i checked many sites and i cant find a site to preorder this

Try BestBuy.com: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....equestid=24272

Theres also a place called Amazon.com. I think its like $52 there.

33.58 at Deep Discount DVD for the Double Book edition. The pictures are the normal edition, but the features and MSRP seem to indicate the book versions.

Holy crap! I had no idea it was going fo so little at DDD. I will definitely wait to get it there.