Movie of the Week

A spotlight on one unforgettable horror experience.

This Week’s Feature: Army of Darkness (1992)

Director Sam Raimi
Writer Sam Raimi & Ivan Raimi
Release Year 1992

Main Cast

Bruce Campbell — Ash Williams
Embeth Davidtz — Sheila
Marcus Gilbert — Lord Arthur
Ian Abercrombie — Wiseman

A wild blend of horror, fantasy, and slapstick chaos, Army of Darkness follows Ash Williams as he’s transported back to the Middle Ages to battle Deadites, skeleton armies, and his own worst instincts. It’s loud, ridiculous, and absolutely iconic.

“Hail to the king, baby.”
(Ash Williams, said near the end of the film after defeating the Deadites)


Why This Movie Works

Army of Darkness succeeds because it fuses outrageous action, practical effects, and Bruce Campbell’s legendary charisma into a chaotic horror‑fantasy spectacle. The film’s world is filled with medieval Deadites, slapstick‑infused terror, and a dark fantasy tone that feels both playful and dangerous. Its blend of creature effects, unhinged humor, and cult‑classic energy makes it one of the most memorable entries in the Evil Dead franchise.


Fun Facts

The original title was “The Medieval Dead” — a play on the earlier film “The Evil Dead.”
Bruce Campbell performed many of his own stunts — including several slapstick fight scenes with skeletons.
The skeleton army used puppets and stop‑motion — inspired by Ray Harryhausen’s classic creature work.
Sam Raimi shot multiple endings — including a darker alternate ending where Ash oversleeps into a ruined future.

Contact

Want to nominate next week’s movie? rbrown336@student.umgc.edu