A Young Sam Raimi Talks THE EVIL DEAD in a Hilariously Candid 1982 Interview

Here’s a scrappy 1982 promotional interview where Sam Raimi and friends talk about making The Evil Dead, and I couldn’t stop smiling. It’s a chaotic, charming hangout with a young filmmaker in his early 20s explaining how a Detroit crew pulled off one of the coolest low budget horror breakthroughs ever.

The vibe is ego free, playful, and packed with DIY filmmaking tricks, behind the scenes war stories, and a ton of humility. It’s exactly why I love Raimi.

I’ve had the chance to meet Raimi, and I can tell you firsthand, this is a guy you just want to hang out with. He’s one of us. A true movie geek who turned his passion into cinematic legend.

The entire interview is hilariously entertaining, but there’s a moment when the interviewer brings up that infamous rape tree scene. When asked, “Why did you do that, Sam?” I absolutely lost it.

Raimi tries to give a serious answer, but you can see the smirks creeping in. Everyone in the room is trying not to laugh, it’s one of those perfect, awkward moments that makes this footage so funny.

Looking back, it’s crazy to think that this unassuming kid with a mischievous grin would go on to redefine horror, reinvent superhero cinema, and inspire generations of filmmakers.

The Evil Dead wasn’t just a debut—it was the birth of a creative force that would shake up Hollywood in the best way possible.

Watching this 1982 interview, you can see the spark that started it all. Sam Raimi wasn’t trying to be a legend, he was just a passionate filmmaker doing what he loved, and that’s exactly why he became one.