EVIL DEAD II (1987) PHYSICAL MEDIA SHOOTOUT! WHICH EDITION IS THE BEST?
Joshua Lightfoot
8/20/26
Welcome to my Physical Media Shootout, where I take multiple copies of a single movie on different formats and compare them! I wrote my first one some time ago for The Evil Dead (1981) over at DestroytheBrain.com and it took a lot out of me. The rollout on these might be slow but I have plenty I want to show off and give my opinions. Today we are focusing on Evil Dead II: Dead By Dawn. All copies seen here and discussed are from my own personal library. This collection started in 2003 with the purchase of the 2000 Anchor Bay DVD at a Suncoast store, and it began to build from there. Before anyone asks when I plan to do a shootout for Army of Darkness (1992), don’t worry, it’s coming. If you have not read my shootout for The Evil Dead, then click HERE. Alright deadheads! Let’s get into it!
EVIL DEAD II: THE SEQUEL TO THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE IN PHYSICAL MEDIA
VHS
Pictured Left to Right:
U.S. – Anchor Bay (1998), U.S. – Vestron Video (1987), U.S. – Anchor Bay Collector’s Edition Widescreen (1998), U.S. – Anchor Bay Collector’s Edition Widescreen (2000)
There is one thing these tapes offer over everything else I’m going to show off in this shootout, and that thing is nostalgia. You may not be getting any fancy audio commentary, deleted scenes, or outtakes. No sir. What is displayed here are memories of going to your local Schnucks in the 90’s, wandering into the horror section after your sister has picked The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988) to rent for the 30th time, looking at trauma-inducing VHS covers, then at bedtime asking your parents if you can sleep in their room for the rest of eternity. Seeing Bruce Campbell’s look of pure fear as he’s being choked by his own severed hand on the back of the Vestron VHS is an image that has always stuck with me. You can’t convince me that the eyes in the skull are not actually staring into my soul.
The 2 hardbox tapes on the right are only unique for their reverse sleeve liner notes. The ’98 Collector’s Box contains a special message by Bruce Campbell, while the ’00 Collector’s Box has a written piece titled Behind the Screams: Bringing the Dead Back to Life by Cliff MacMillan. He is the co-founder of Scream Factory and now works for Arrow Video. This tape is also the only release of the 4 with Stereo audio and any kind of post movie special feature content, but it’s the same stuff that’s more easily accessible on the disc releases. These tapes are pretty obsolete overall. If you absolutely must have Evil Dead II on VHS then I would maybe track down the ’87 Vestron tape because we all know horror fans love old stuff.
LASERDISC
Top: Japanese – Best (1996)
Bottom Left: Japanese – Shochiku Home Video (1987) Right: U.S. – Elite Entertainment – Blood Red Disc (1997)
Don May Jr. who works for Synpase Films posted the following over on Reddit about the blood red Elite Laserdisc:
“Making these was a pain in the ass. (I speak from experience because I produced this disc right before I left Elite Entertainment). You added the color dye to the pressing machines and, when finished, the entire machine had to be shut down and completely cleaned before it could be used again. The pressing facility loathed us doing this. After this one, I did three limited “gold” colored discs with my new company, Synapse Films. Document of the Dead, Gamera and Dario Argento’s World of Horror.”
I know your eyes will be instantly drawn to that beautiful blood red Laserdisc by Elite (I have 2 myself). It is definitely the grail of the shootout. Despite the sweet artwork and OBI strip on the Japanese releases, they are no match for a Laserdisc that is blood red. This marks the first time we got to hear the wildly entertaining and highly recommended Audio Commentary with Sam Raimi, Scott Spiegel, Greg Nicotero, and Bruce Campbell. A Commentary so good, it tends to pop up on many “greatest Audio Commentaries you should listen to” lists.
Also included on the Elite release is an exclusive 30-minute featurette titled “Behind the Screams” (not to be confused with the 2005 featurette with the same name). I don’t know how limited these were, but you can find listings on eBay regularly… for a hefty price. A standard non-colored disc version was also made available, but I doubt many would settle for that. Both Japanese releases look the same to me and have forced Japanese subtitles. They do offer dynamic, unaltered, original theatrical Mono audio for you purists. However, I can’t gush enough about the blood red Laserdisc. It is a must own for the hardest Evil Dead fanatics, even if they don’t have the equipment to play it on.
DVD
Pictured Left to Right:
U.S. – Anchor Bay (1998), France – Studio Canal (2003), Japan – Universal (2004), Germany – Kinowelt (2008)
Welcome to the garbage portion of the shootout. Compiled are DVD releases I own for Evil Dead II that will leave even casual fans looking elsewhere for a little something extra. The Japanese release is bare bones. The German release has a Commentary and featurette. My French release is only 1 disc, but a 2-disc edition is at hand containing exclusive interview extras with Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi. The Anchor Bay DVD from 1998 is the only DVD release that I’m aware of that uses the original Mono audio option. This DVD however is non-anamorphic and the picture quality is atrocious, looking even worse than a VHS. There are many better DVD options that I will get to later.
BLU-RAY
Pictured Left to Right:
U.S. – Anchor Bay (2007), Japan – Geneon / Universal Entertainment (2010), Japan – Geneon / Universal Entertainment (2015), U.S. – Lionsgate (2011)
The Anchor Bay and Japanese Blu-rays all use the same garbage transfer that is smeared to death with DNR (Digital Noise Reduction). Detail has been washed away and close-up shots of character’s faces look waxy. Contrast and brightness have also been boosted to a ridiculous degree. The Japanese Blu-ray from 2015 does include a replica mini magazine titled “Magazine for World Movie & TV Fans”, a program used to help promote the film in Japan. The Anchor Bay Blu-ray has a Trivia Track option not found on any other release, but it really just repeats what is being said on the Audio Commentary. Both Japanese releases have an exclusive 25 minute interview with Bruce Campbell.
The 25th Anniversary Blu-ray is the clear winner here. Loads of new extra features, upgraded DTS-HD 5.1 Audio, and a much improved film transfer. All major extras from previous U.S. releases are included as well. I remember picking this up on release day for only $7.99! A steal! It’s still available for a low price, though the cover art has been changed. I have provided a purchase link below. Still highly recommended for a release that is 15 years old!
Purchase the Lionsgate 25th Anniversary Blu-ray of Evil Dead 2 HERE
4K ULTRA HD
Pictured Left to Right:
U.S. – Lionsgate (2018), U.K. – Studio Canal 3-Disc Zavvi Exclusive Steelbook (2018)
Both 4K discs in these releases are the same. If I’m being honest, the 4K presentation doesn’t exactly blow me away. Colors appear to be a bit oversaturated to my eyes, especially in scenes with lots of red blood. Noticeable compression rears its ugly head in a number of moments. Many might disagree and most viewers will say it looks great. It’s not bad! I just feel it could look better. The already excellent Blu-ray version is included so fans can decide whichever they prefer. There appears to be a 4K release from Italy that has the same artwork as the U.K. Steelbook, but uses a different transfer. Healthy film grain looks a lot more present at glance, eliminating a few gripes. I don’t have it here to compare, unfortunately. I think I missed my window ever getting my hands on one. Those who are curious, I’ve provided a link comparing the image at the bottom of this segment.
There are a few differences here in extras between the Lionsgate and Studio Canal releases. Extras on the Lionsgate version are on the Blu-ray disc of the main feature, while extras on the Studio Canal release are on their own separate disc. Both do contain a new 52-minute featurette titled “Blood and Groovy, Baby! Tribute to Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead 2″. It’s an interesting watch with filmmakers like Guillermo del Toro and Edgar Wright pledging their love for the film. The Studio Canal release drops the Behind the Screams 2005 featurette and Still Gallery in favor of the 25-minute Bruce Campbell interview from the previous international releases. Both have their exclusives, but it’s just hard to resist that glorious Steelbook packaging.
COMPILATIONS
Top Left to Right:
U.K. – Anchor Bay Trilogy Set DVD (2003), U.S. – Lionsgate Double Feature Blu-ray (2017), U.S. – Lionsgate Best Buy Exclusive Steelbook 4K UHD / Blu-ray (2020)
Bottom Left to Right:
Australia – Anthology Collector’s Pack Blu-ray – Madman Entertainment (2014), U.S. – Book of the Dead Limited Edition Gift Set DVD – Anchor Bay (2005)
There’s a lot to take in here. On the DVD compilation side, the U.K. trilogy set has the first three movies and plenty of exclusive extras. I gave high praise for the inclusion of The Incredibly Strange Film Show episode on Sam Raimi as an extra feature in my Evil Dead (1981) Shootout. The Book of the Dead Gift Pack from Anchor Bay is unmatched in terms of packaging. If you press the eyeball on the cover of the book you hear a scream!! Mine stopped working many years ago. The same extras can be found on the 25th Anniversary Blu-ray. Both books were also available separately, but the latex used has not held up over the years and is starting to crack. All books seen here and their illustrations were designed by Special EFX Make-Up artist Tom Sullivan. A recommended documentary on his life titled Invaluable is found in the Australian set and is also available separate on Blu-ray by Synapse Films.
Those looking to get everything in one big package, there will always be something major missing. The international releases include Army of Darkness but are missing the Ash vs Evil Dead TV show. Only the Necronomicon Anthology Collector’s Pack from Australia includes the 2013 remake. This set contains 3 DVDs worth of bonus features but most only tie into the first movie and are available in various other releases. But hey, the book packaging is pretty sweet, plus you get a replica dagger to threaten your neighbors with. The U.S. releases only include the 1st and 2nd movies, but at least in the Steelbook edition you get the 4K UHD and Blu-ray discs. Woefully, everything seen here is getting increasingly difficult to find and fetches for a high price.
STILL EXCELLENT
Pictured Left to Right:
U.S. – Anchor Bay Limited Edition Tin DVD (2000), U.S. Anchor Bay DVD (2000)
During Anchor Bay’s peak years, there were 2 epic DVD releases of Evil Dead II to choose from. The Limited Edition Tin in the year 2000, or the Book of the Dead release from 2005. I would only recommend the Book release for its packaging. If you look on the back of the Book of the Dead release you will see a message that reads “Features an All-New HD Transfer Supervised By Sam Raimi Himself!”. Yeah! If he were blind! I talked about this mess in the Blu-ray portion of my shootout. That botched transfer would creep its way into many releases for years, even after Lionsgate’s 25th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray.
There are benefits to choosing the Tin set, or even the standard version that released alongside it. The THX Certified transfer of the main feature is exceptional, even today in the HD era we are in. The real treat for fans is the addition of the option to watch the film in an Open Matte 1:33:1 ratio. This may not be the most ideal way to experience the movie. However, it’s a fascinating watch with the framing completely opened up revealing set edges, boom mikes, and even crew members. Other than the tin packaging itself, we also get a 48-page, full color booklet with liner notes by Bruce Campbell. Along with the Audio Commentary and The-Gore-the-Merrier featurette is an exclusive Evil Dead: Hail to the King video game preview. Watching the game preview again takes me back, reliving one of the most frustrating Playstation games I’ve ever played.
MY TOP PICK
U.S. Groovy Collection 4K Ultra HD / Blu-ray – Lionsgate (2021)
In this epic package you get the original The Evil Dead on Blu-ray and 4K UHD, Evil Dead II on Blu-ray and 4K UHD, and all 3 seasons of Ash vs. Evil Dead on Blu-ray. It also includes a bonus DVD disc loaded with extras, though they only tie-in to the first movie. The inclusion of the 25th Anniversary Blu-ray disc carries more than enough stuff to keep you busy for a while. It’s 11 discs in total all housed in a beautiful box packaged inside of a long-book. It may not include Army of Darkness, the Evil Dead remake, or Evil Dead Rise, or even Evil Dead Burn for what it’s worth. It’s still the best bundle we’ve gotten. The bad news is it’s long out of print. I’m including a recap at the end with serviceable alternatives.
WORTH A MENTION (NOT PART OF MY SHOOTOUT)
I talked about this bootleg in my previous shootout. Still not telling you where I got it or how to get one. What we have here is an extensive assembly of some of the rarest Evil Dead extras from many private collectors. It contains the rarely seen Mexican TV Cut with numerous alternate and deleted scenes not found anywhere else. A fan made composite edit of the Theatrical and Mexican TV Cuts of the film. A partial workprint running 35 minutes long. Never before seen Behind-the-Scenes camcorder footage. The uncut Incredibly Strange Film Show episode on Sam Raimi. The incredibly entertaining “watch along” with Bruce Campbell, the online exclusive commentary. Hours and hours of stuff! I’ve read that the Mexican TV Cut is available as an extra in the 2013 German 25th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray, but I question if it’s legit or was approved by Sam Raimi.
