Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead has achieved iconic status in the realm of horror cinema, giving rise to a trilogy, a reboot, comic books, video games, a stage musical, and even a follow-up television series. Over the span of four decades, The Evil Dead has consistently garnered widespread acclaim in the horror genre. However, one scene was “too brutal” even for Sam Raimi’s liking.
The particular scene in focus revolves around Cheryl (played by Ellen Sandweiss), who happens to be the sister of Ashley J. Williams, portrayed by Bruce Campbell. Cheryl’s immediate sense of unease is palpable as the events inside the remote cabin begin to unfold.
Prompted by bizarre sounds and mysterious voices, she embarks on a journey into the dense forest, a clear indication that she’s on the verge of a truly hair-raising experience.
Sam Raimi Regrets Keeping The Scene In The Film
In the scene, Cheryl’s exploration doesn’t uncover any immediate fears, but soon enough, fear itself descends upon her in the form of a harrowing and explicitly depicted encounter with a manifestation of nature, often colloquially referred to as the “tree r*pe” scene. This infamously controversial sequence played a pivotal role in the film’s banning in certain countries upon its initial release.
Thankfully, Sam Raimi has since voiced his deep regret regarding this scene’s inclusion, expressing his remorse over the years.
Raimi told San Diego Reader:
“Well, I think it was unnecessarily gratuitous and a little too brutal. And finally because people were offended in a way that I didn’t…my goal is not to offend people. It is to entertain, thrill, scare…make them laugh, but not to offend them. But, you know, I know that a lot of nineteen year olds that are stealing cars and murdering people. Not to make that comparison, but I think my judgement was a little wrong at that time.”
The Evil Dead made its debut in 1981, right in the midst of the slasher film frenzy that dominated the 1970s and 1980s. During this era, horror films were characterized by their unbridled violence and graphic gore, alongside a penchant for providing titillating elements.
Sam Raimi Revealed What Went Wrong With Spider-Man 3
Long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe would establish its cinematic dominance, Sam Raimi’s direction of Spider-Man emerged as a blockbuster sensation. This film achieved remarkable success, raking in $825 million at the box office while operating on a $139 million budget.
What made it truly special was its fresh and distinctive approach, as Spider-Man had always been a relatable superhero, and witnessing his seamless adaptation on the big screen was a delight for web-slinger fans. With a formidable villain in the form of the Green Goblin, portrayed masterfully by Willem Dafoe, “Spider-Man” solidified its place as a timeless classic that continues to captivate audiences even today.
As the third installment rolled in, the endeavor to surpass its forerunners posed a formidable challenge. However, Sam Raimi candidly acknowledged that the attempt went awry. The director openly admitted that their ambitious decision to incorporate all the iconic villains into the storyline resulted in a convoluted plot.
Spider-Man 3 introduced Venom and Sandman, all while James Franco’s Goblin continued to play a significant role. The abundance of antagonists became overwhelming, even for the director himself, leading to a creative choice that lacked unanimous faith.
