Within the Woods

Within the Woods (1978) is a short film written and directed by Sam Raimi. Raimi, longtime friend Bruce Campbell, and other associates shot this movie on Super 8 mm film in an effort to raise money to produce a feature-length version of it. The full length version was titled The Evil Dead and garnered a huge cult following and spawned 2 sequels and an off-broadway musical. Within the Woods is very similar to The Evil Dead in terms of plot devices... more

Within the Woods (1978) is a short film written and directed by Sam Raimi. Raimi, longtime friend Bruce Campbell, and other associates shot this movie on Super 8 mm film in an effort to raise money to produce a feature-length version of it. The full length version was titled The Evil Dead and garnered a huge cult following and spawned 2 sequels and an off-broadway musical. Within the Woods is very similar to The Evil Dead in terms of plot devices, pacing, and effects. A group of four friends, Bruce (Bruce Campbell), Ellen (Ellen Sandweiss), Shelly (Mary Valenti) and Scotty (Scott Spiegel) rent a cabin in the woods. The story begins with Bruce and Ellen going on a picnic together. While walking towards the field where they are going to have the picnic, Bruce tells Ellen that the place they are staying "used to be part of an old Indian burial ground" and it was "very sacred and holy." She nervously asks him if it was cursed, but Bruce assures her that it will be fine because according... less