Wow, a lot of
the missing parts of this movie is in the section titled 'Versions'
so this section will deal primarily with those other scenes that’s
were scripted but not filmed are just completely removed and appear
in no version. The scenes are featured on the Anchor Bay Director's
Cut DVD. For more info see 'DVD'.
1. “Rip
Van Winkle Opening!” - Filmed
Darker, moodier and so much better than the actual opening, this
original version had to be binned when the movies ending was changed
because in the new plotline it didn’t make sense. It featured
Ash speaking in retrospect to setup the story (see pic 1 below).
It also featured a longer setup with more footage from Evil Dead
2 (including musical cues from the same movie) a few more re-filmed
sequences were featured including a scene where Ash recites the
passages from the Necronomicon to open the vortex to send the evil
back (see pic 2 below). In ED2 it was the character of Annie Knowby.
2. “A
day in the life!” - Filmed
Scripted
and filmed was a longer sequence showing Ash working with Linda
at S-Mart. The sequence featured veteran actor Charles
Napier as a hard-nosed bullying boss as well as interaction
and dialogue with Bridget Fonda’s
Linda and an un-named stock boy.
3. "Ash
confronts Arthur" - Filmed
In this sequence, directly after Ash arrives in 1300AD he challenges
Arthur when his men attempt to shackle him. He knocks Gold Tooth
off his horse and in turn knocks Arthur to the ground where he hold
him at 'sword-point'. Ash plays it calm and simply states he's "looking
for no trouble". He lets Arthu rrise to his where he promptly
orders his men to shackle him. Ash lashes out, "you miserable
bastards!" which is where the current version continues.
4. "Extended
Wildmill Sequence" - Filmed
Dropped by the Universal executives this sequence had Ash discover
the windmill not be chased into it by the evil Force. He lights
a fire but is spooked by a number of noises. There is a great shot
filmed in one take using a whole 360 degree turn of the camera.
Ash ventures outside and into the woods where he finds his horse.
HE looks back into the doorway of the windmill to see a figure.
The door slams, he runs in and stright into a mirror which shatters.
The 'Tiny Ahes' sequence follows. This explains why Ash smashes
the mirror instead of just running into it.
5. "Ash
asks Henry the Red for help" - Filmed
Cut for
pacing reasons. This saw Ash venture out on horseback to ask Henry
the Red to join in the defense of Arthur's castle. He is reluctant
but Ash plays the 'owe me' card and the sequence ends where Henry
nods his head and agrees. We ar estill left with a degree of uncertainty
as to whether he will actually help though
6. “The
Temple Ruins” – Scripted and nearly filmed
This was the sequence in which the Deadite Witch attacks Ash and
teaches him about the value of nobility. This was dropped due to
the scale of the scene which involved a combination of miniature,
make up and mechanical effects all of which had to be sacrificed
for the benefit of other more expensive battle scene effects. The
showpiece of the scene saw the temple pillars crash down domino
style while Ash battles the now flying witch! Click below for the
full script extract.
Miniature Model
Script Excert:
Temple Ruins.zip
A similar scene
appears in the movie, as Ash is hand fed grapes he is attacked by
the ‘Deadite Witch’ but this scene is much, much smaller
in scale by comparison. Incidentally this sequence was a re-shoot
funded privately by Raimi, Campbell and Tapert.
This movie is
a rich ground for debate no more so than when it comes to deleted
scenes and alt versions. So many forms exist that most times it’s
hard to keep track!!
