The Evil Dead Companion is the first and only authorised book dedicated to the history of the Evil Dead series. The book has information on the making of and release of all three films but the main portion of the book is dedicated to the first Evil Dead film. The book also outlines the surroundings of most of Sams other films as well as many of his early films which lead up to the making of the Evil Dead including a fairly detailed account of Within The Woods, Sams short pre-Evil Dead zombie splatter flick.
The Evil Dead section is the most detailed and goes fully into the whole making of the film from the part filmed in the cabin out in the Tennessee woods through to the parts filmed in Sams basement and on all the effects done by Tom Sullivan. This also includes some storyboards and behind the scenes shots. The book also goes on to the release of the film and the reaction it got by viewers.
The Evil Dead 2 and Army Of Darkness sections don't go into so much detail but still manage to cover pretty much the same areas on them as with The Evil Dead. After that the book goes on to mention the state of the films now and how they stand as well as information on all the merchandise, websites (Evil Dead Online is there but unfortunately it's our old address, oh well) and the computer games that have followed.
Near the end of the book there is a section outlining the events that take place in each film with Bruce Campbells commentary along the way explaining how certain effects were done and why certain sections never made it into the final films (like 'a low budget version of a DVD commentary track' as the book states).
Basically if your an Evil Dead nut and want to find out all you can about the movies then the Evil Dead Companion is pretty much essential. It has everything you'll every need to know about the making of and the films themselves. If you've had any doubts about getting it, don't! Go get it now!
Here's a list of the books main features:
Exclusive interviews with Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell and key cast and crew
Scores of previously unpublished behind-the-scene photographs
Posters, storyboards, rare merchandise, the Book of the Dead and Tom Sullivan's own special effects pictures
Bruce Campbell's commentary on all three films
A complete listing of Raimi and Campbell's earliest work together
Harrowing tales of hardship, discomfort and practical jokes
