1981's The Evil Dead -- the first film in director Sam Raimi's now-iconic horror franchise -- is slated for a theatrical re-release. Not only that, but is being screened in 4K with a brand new soundtrack and crisp restored audio unlike any version seen in theaters before.
Bob Murawski, owner of Grindhouse Releasing -- a distribution company that specializes in exploitation cinema -- has collaborated with director Raimi to restore the film from its 1981 16mm film negatives. Joseph LoDuca -- the original composer -- has also created a new score, while Marti Humphrey and Jussi Tegelman (known for their work on Drag Me To Hell and Ash Vs. The Evil Dead) have produced a 5.1 surround sound mix.
"The Evil Dead trilogy launched my career composing for films and television." LoDuca said "I still get asked to write for horror/thrillers. I love doing it, because the genre has no rules when it comes to music, save the objective of building tension and sustaining dread. Today’s audience is more savvy, so I have to constantly re-examine what is scary. Keeps me on my toes."
“Mixing the sound for Evil Dead in the early 80’s, we were forced to shove everything into one monaural box," longtime franchise star Bruce Campbell added. "As a result, Joe LoDuca’s great score had to compete unfairly with Kandarian Demons, gore sound effects and lots of screaming. With this new release, Joe can finally have his dynamic composition mixed, balanced and featured properly – for perhaps the first time ever!”
“With this fantastic new score, Joe LoDuca proves that he’s the Bartok of blood, the Shostakovich of shock, the Mahler of the macabre.” Murawski said. ”The new music, new sound mix and new 4K restoration have elevated Evil Dead from the scary to the sublime.”
This version of the film is under limited release. In order to book a showing, contact theatrical sales director David Szulkin at info@grindhousereleasing.com.
(via Bloody Disgusting)