Regular Price $19.98

Starring: Ian Abercrombie,  Deke Anderson,  Andy Bale,  Billy Bryan,  Bruce Campbell, 
Directed By:
Rated: R (Restricted)
Release Date: 1993-02-19
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
Format: Anamorphic,  Color,  Dolby,  DVD-Video,  Full Screen,  THX,  Widescreen,  NTSC, 

Editorial Reviews and DVD Information about Army of Darkness

Amazon.com
A movie that only true horror buffs could love, Army of Darkness is officially part 3 in the wild and wacky Evil Dead trilogy masterminded by the perversely inventive director Sam Raimi, who would later serve as executive producer of the popular syndicated TV series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Raimi's favorite actor, Bruce Campbell, returns as Ash (hero of the first two Evil Dead flicks), a hardware-store clerk who is magically transported--along with his beat-up Oldsmobile and a chainsaw attachment for his severed left forearm--to the brutal battlefields of the 14th century. He quickly assumes power (who else in the Middle Ages packs a shotgun and a chainsaw?), and unites his band of medieval knights against the dreaded Army of the Dead. Raimi gleefully subverts almost every horror-movie cliché as he serves up a nonstop parade of blood, gore, and vicious sword-bearing skeletons--an affectionate homage to animator Ray Harryhausen's classic Jason and the Argonauts. The frantic action is fun while it lasts, but even at 80 minutes Army of Darkness nearly wears out its welcome. You know that Raimi can maintain the mayhem for only so long before it grows tiresome, and fortunately this madcap movie quits while it's ahead. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews for Army of Darkness

4 ½ - Stars: S-MART's Finest Film--Full of "BOOMSTICK" COOLNESS!
Originally released in Spring, 1993, ARMY OF DARKNESS only lasted for a week and a half in theaters--not enough to creep into box-office success. After a few years in the back of the shelves, the film has attained "cult status" and had acquired a permanent spot in the books of popular culture. The "Boomstick" Dvd edition has both the 81 minute theatrical cut and the 96 minute director's cut in two discs, both anamorphically enhanced for HDTVs. Sam Raimi`s "Army of Darkness" is one of the most brilliant, campy and awesome Horror-comedies that ever got into my personal collection.

The film picks up after the events of Evil Dead 2; Ash (Bruce Campbell) is a hapless house wares clerk is time-warped back to the Dark Ages (or Med-Evil times) by the power of the demonic book "Necronomicon". Now armed only with a `73 Oldsmobile, a chainsaw and a 12-gauge double-barreled S-mart shotgun, our knucklehead hero must battle vicious witches, ghouls, a diabolical doppelganger and the relentless hordes of the evil dead...

Raimi's mid-budget, 111 day production time "Army of Darkness" exudes pure fun entertainment. The film is absolutely hilarious, and is a successful blend of horror elements and satire. The screenplay is full of gems throughout and the dialogue has that very sharp wit. The film has also given birth to some of the most "iconic" scenes in cinema. The windmill scene, the bad-azz vs. good-azz sequence, the cemetery when bones abused Ash in a way that the "Three Stooges" would, acrobatic ghouls that throw punches like Sugar Ray Leonard--the list goes on and on.

Accompanied with Raimi's fantastic camerawork which is both inventive and nostalgic, with extreme close-ups and perspective shots that show the stunt-laden scenes, the film is clever and very sharp. The effects in the film is a combination of people in rubber suits, animatronic puppets and stop-motion animation that is definitely campy but none can deny that it fits the film's style--intentionally done with clever "cheesiness". A pathology professor even asked Raimi if he could use his skeletal shots for his lecture. The set designs and cinematography are also quite fitting to its atmosphere that almost looks like a comic book. (no wonder Raimi was so successful in Spider-man 1 and 2) The Matte paintings and studio sets are so campy that it adds to its own humorous genius.

The film is action-packed and full of stunts and explosions. The assault on the castle and the battle between science and magic is so much fun to watch. What is also so clever is that it effectively blends humorous dialogue and the action. While some films use dialogue and camp to delay a film's proceedings, this film definitely uses every bit of its nicely placed humor as character development. Now, the film does have its share of goofs in the screenplay when Ash went to retrieve the Necronomicon, but the film is just so much fun that you'll more than likely to not notice.

Bruce Campbell does an outstanding job as with the supporting cast. Campbell is very charismatic as our awkward hero and should be credited with certain unforgettable catch phrases such as "Give me some sugar, Baby.." and "Groovy". The dialogue is just brilliant, full of humorous one-liners delivered by Campbell. The guy is definitely the right actor for the job as he does show enough witty attitude to keep the audience entertained. The cast is definitely having fun with this film and I do think there were times that Sam Raimi probably let them loose to act as they wished. Of course, no film of this nature would be complete without a beautiful leading lady. Embeth Davidtz has that classic leading lady look and fit's the role of Sheila.

The director's cut has more than 15 minutes of additional footage. The extended cut has subtle bits of added action, dialogue and the famous (or infamous?) alternate apocalyptic ending. The additional scenes can be spotted because the scenes do have more grain than the others. I personally like the director's cut better although the theatrical cut may have more inherent "coolness" and faster-paced.

ARMY OF DARKNESS is one of those films that should be a part of any film fan's movie library.
The movie is just so much fun to watch. If you haven't seen this film, do yourself a favor and give it a spin. The film is just loads of fun to watch and has near-infinite replay value.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! [4 ½ - Stars]



Army of Darkness

Rib Cracking Fun
I couldn't stop laughing. This is actually one of the first DVD's I ever bought among a list of endless titles. It is unforgettable, crazy and downright madd. Love it. Get It.Army of Darkness

Pure cheese, yet undeniable greatness
This is a movie that has grown on me with age. I love it now for what it is and always has been. Army of Darkness solidified Bruce Campbell as a cult hero and he carries this film with his funny line delivery and one huge chin. The special effects and sets are pretty bad, but it's all about the campy fun from start to finish. There are some classic scenes and lines you will feel compelled to quote to people, probably getting you many blank stares from those who have not witnessed Ash in action.

I have the Boomstick version with the original and director's cut. I like them both, but the picture quality sucks on the DC, so I usually watch the theatrical version.Army of Darkness

Army of Darkness, or S-Mart Employee of the Month Getting Medieval on Screwheads
Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi were at a pinnacle for this genre making this movie. Nothing comes close in my book of horror comedies. I love all their other work, but this stands the test of time well and will crack most people up whatever their age. This movie is quoted regularly at gatherings of people partying, and it makes a great party movie. AOD is a superb mix of horror movie and comedy. The first two Evil Dead movies although entertaining are mainly horror with less comedy. Many fans adore them although the third in the series was much more to my liking.

An S-Mart employee has barely escaped a horrible experience in the woods where his friends were killed and he lost his hand. He has replaced it with a chainsaw attachment and he has a double barreled shotgun as well. Driving his 1973 Oldsmobile as fast as he can he is teleported while trying to escape. He ends up in medieval times and must prove himself to the local Lord by recovering a book of the dead. What ensues is comic genius as he fights skeletons, demons, witches, and himself. Excellent DVD with some extras. If you enjoyed this catch "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" and "Hotshots! Part Deux". - C. LusterArmy of Darkness

Favorite movie ever
My wife and I originally saw this movie in the theater. I laughed so hard throughout the movie that I missed a lot of it. So, I bought the vhs tape and wore it out. Then when DVD came out, I bought it and have watched it at least a dozen times. Now I have the HD and I am glad I do. The special effects seem if nothing else, worse on the HD version because of the high detail, but that just adds to the character of it. Just can't get tired of this movie.Army of Darkness