Army of Darkness
(MGM Region 3 Director's Cut) 
(1993)
review by Billion$Baby

Via this site's forum, Pete told me that a new version of Army was now available from Asia. This is the far superior director's cut but unlike the incredibly shoddy assembled from video work prints version released time and time again by Anchor Bay, this region 3 release from MGM is of the quality we would rightly expect (anyone who's seen the AB director's cut print knows the very serious problems with it) and it also has an excellent 5.1 sound remix. Frustratingly Anchor Bay have just released "The Boomstick Edition" in the US which merely compiles the same theatrical and shoddy director's cut versions again...but with a new name. One has to wonder why, especially after seeing and hearing the quality of this Asian version. If MGM can obtain a print like this for the full-length version of Army, then why can't Anchor Bay?

Anyway, although I dearly love all three of the Evil Dead films, this one is my personal favourite. Folks who aren't huge fans of Army and it's comedy fantasy direction or it's visuals really do need to see this MGM version. It will change your mind, I'm certain of it. This film is FAR superior in this cut and you'll only recognise that for certain when you're lucky enough to see it presented like this. The 2.0 sound on the AB director's cut was damn poor as well, I can now actually hear all of the background conversations or effects without having to strain my ears. And this MGM release has a excellent 5.1 sound remix to go with it's very crisp and clear sound.

(If you don't know the plot of this film then tough shit buddy 'cause I'm certainly not telling ya. If you've seen ED 1 and 2 or the 3 Stooges you'll have a very good idea, and if you haven't seen either of those earlier Evil Dead films then please sort yourself out and do so for Christ's sake!)

Army Of Darkness must have received a theatrical release in it's full-length version in Asia (I'm guessing) and it's that print which has been used here. This print suffers from occasional white flecks and some minor print damage, and it is rather grainy during certain scenes but it won't spoil your enjoyment and after the version that I and others have suffered in the past, it seems like the most amazing dvd print in the whole world! The pointless US theatrical version is 15 minutes shorter than this superior cut and I think it's VERY poor in comparison. The UK theatrical and domestic releases were 5 minutes longer than the US equivalents so it was a real disappointment when the only decent quality dvd version available before this MGM release was one which omitted memorable sequences that I and other UK folks recalled seeing at both the cinema and on video (eg, Ash being attacked by the skeleton arms at the cemetary).

Remember those outrageous and plentiful AWFUL quality scenes on the AB director's cut of Army? Yep, so do I but I'm happy to say that I'll soon forget them after watching this incredible version! Anyone want to buy my old AB dc of Army disc? The only difference between that older AB version and this (apart from the obvious print and sound issues!) is that AB also had storyboards and 3 or 4 sketches on that disc. MGM have given region 3 people the top class commentary track from Bruce Campbell and Sam and Ivan Raimi, the deleted or alternate scenes with optional commentary, that shitty ending in the S-Mart store that was shown at the flicks (cheap, rushed, far too upbeat, embarassing and exceedingly cringe worthy in my opinion), a pointless photo gallery (shots from the film) and a theatrical trailer.

This is (by far) the very best version of Army Of Darkness available from anywhere in the world. This Asian disc is an essential buy for all Raimi/Evil Dead fans out there, I really can't stress that enough.
Thank you MGM, you've just made my year and my bad feelings towards Universal for their poor treatment of this Raimi classic have subsided considerably now that I can see the feature as it was once intended. Thought you'd already seen and judged Army Of Darkness? Trust me, you haven't until you've seen and heard this fabulous version.

Look at these screen caps (courtesy of some bloke) below and judge for yourself!!

BTW This also features the previously unseen bodice ripping scene when Bad Ash captures Sheila*.

BUY THIS REGION 3 DVD NOW!!

Editor's Notes: MGM's cover is almost identical to the Anchor Bay Director's Cut Edition, so look for the MGM logo on the cover if ordering offline.

Also: *While this is marketed as the "Director's Cut", the bodice ripping scene was actually producer Dino DeLaurentis' idea and Raimi cut it from his "director approved" versions.