Evil Dead series DVDs question

How is the extra stuff on the ED1+2 and AOD DVDs? I'll eventually buy them just for the widescreen versions (I have the VHS versions). Is it 'need now' type stuff or is it 'if you've already seen the films you're not missing out on much' stuff? According to the Best Buy website, there is a new AOD version comming out soon. Anything on the existing DVDs that should keep me from waiting until march to pick them up?

Not being anything resembling a big fan of the films, I was nonetheless happy to get one of the slim case, clear plastic 5-cover full-frame 'Evil Dead''s for $11.99 and the orignal AB LBX regular release of 'Evil Dead 2' for $8.87. So, for less than the cost of one of the fancy releases of the first two films I got them both for just over $20. My question is why the hell would I want to pay more than I did?

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'If you beat them they won't dance for you'.

You've got me there Gore, but my question is, why the hell would anyone want EVIL DEAD 1 in widescreen? Mark cultcuts magazine

And you will want to stick to the Elite version unless you want to lose have the film's image when they cropped it into widescreen for the ugly Book of the Dead travesty, which I see going for only 20 something now at TOWER and BEST BUY because they can't sell the damn thing. Mark cultcuts magazine

Then the widescreen version of ED1 is cropped? What about part 2? Why do they crop movies into widescreen format when the original is already in full frame? I understand the readoning behind pan and scan editing. I posted the question in the first place to make sure I didn't buy a crappy version of the films.

Not on the Elite disc. Just some? of the AB's. There's so many releases of the ED films I can't keep them all straight. I'm happy with my Elite disc with all its extras and proper formatting of the film.

What about part 2?

Not sure, I don't own any of them and never researched them. For some reason, I've never been in a hurry to acquire this one.

Marketing and for 16X9 Enhancement.

I understand the readoning behind pan and scan editing.

Don't blame you. Mark Cultcuts magazine

Films are often shot full-frame with an eye to a matted theatrical release. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, technical errors such as errant boom mikes and the like are often left in because the director and cinematographer know these will be be cropped out of sight once the films hit theatres. This was the case with films like 'Black Christmas' and 'Evil Dead'. Technically, there is nothing wrong with a film matted for DVD release, as long as the director's vision in properly represented. So, there is no 'crappy' version of 'Evil Dead', just two different versions of the same film. Much of the brouhaha over 'Evil Dead' happened because many people think the old full-frame home video release was the definitive version, when clearly this not the case. It's up the consumer to decide what is in his or her best interests. Having both versions available is better than only having one. Choice is a win-win situation, and less visual information does not automatically equal a rip-off, as some might have you believe.

Don't forget, when these films were originally made there was no such thing as DVDs or anal-retentive fanboys. I only get uptight when something like 'Suspiria', shot and composed super-wide, is pan and scanned for home video. *That* is a crappy release.

'Evil Dead' was shot on 16MM, which is NOT widescreen, and was blown up to 35MM for theatrical release, a common practice for low budget films to this day. It was matted for it's theatrical release. Therefore, neither version is 'wrong'.

'Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn' had a larger budget and was shot widescreen. The AB DVD is presented in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio.

I'm sure there will be a deluge of posts telling me I'm full of shit. I don't care, I'm ambivalent at best towards these films. I like 'Army of Darkness' the best of the three anyway.

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'If you beat them they won't dance for you'.

Stupid question - which has the most/best selection of extras on it? I've got all the movies and I'm not too concerned about widescreen v matted panned and scanned cropped etc... I'd be more interested in which one has the best commentary tracks, are there different commentary tracks and/or special features on the different discs, that sort of thing. I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) one of them had their original short on the DVD too?

Ken aka Skrybe

None of the DVD releases have the original short on them, AB pulled it at the last moment from their latest release.

I own both the Elite version and the Book of the Dead version. The Elite version alone would have been fine for me but I had to have the reproduction of the book!

Stupid question - which has the most/best selection of extras on it? I've

My Elite release version (4:3) has a crystal clear transfer (a little too clear in a couple of the matte shots) and two commentaries, the Sam Raimi and producer one and the bloody funny Bruce Campbell one. The latter would tip the balance for me. Normally I dislike heckling commentaries (like Mystery Science Theatre) as they too quickly descend into cheap shots. Campbell's track, on the other hand, has the insider's qualification going for it well before you get to the fact of it being as funny as it is.

hi a how ru

hi