Overview: Sam Raimi’s 1981 film THE EVIL DEAD is a horror masterpiece that has terrified audiences for over 40 years and spawned sequels, a remake, video games, toys and even a television series. The original film’s iconic special effects and make-up were created by Tom Sullivan, a Michigan artist and sculptor who became friends with Sam Raimi, star Bruce Campbell and producer Rob Tapert when they were in college.

Ryan Meade’s INVALUABLE: THE TRUE STORY OF AN EPIC ARTIST is a feature length documentary about the life and art of Tom Sullivan and his involvement with the EVIL DEAD film series. Assembled with amazing archival Super 8mm film footage, Hi8, VHS, and vintage audio tapes and photographs, it’s a unique and sentimental portrait of a man who helped make one of the greatest horror franchises of all time.

It also contains amazing behind-the-scenes footage, original location visits, all-new interviews with Bruce Campbell, Ted Raimi, Josh Becker, Danny Hicks, Hal Delrich, Ellen Sandweiss, Betsy Baker, Theresa Tilly and more!

Blu-ray Verdict: As noted, this is a documentary about Tom Sullivan, the special effects man and artist behind the classic Evil Dead and a lot of work for its sequel. Without him, and I think we can all agree on this, that much beloved film would never have been made, and certainly not have been what it is. Thus, here we get a look at his life, career, journey with Evil Dead and beyond and a look at some cool old props.

In truth, and in my humble opinion, this is not the most professionally produced documentary, for it is kind of like the old guerrilla-styled, smash and grab film-making that has worked so well in the past for on-the-fly documentaries.

For here we get some quickly grabbed convention interviews along with behind-the-scenes candid shots from some of his work on screen, but do not let that deter you from this still most wondrous documentary, for it does give you a rare insight into who Tom Sullivan is - and actually quite a long look at major events in his life.

Personally, I wish they had had a bigger budget, better equipment and more time, but overall it is highly addictive viewing (especially for us Evil Dead fans - with enough decent interviews threaded throughout, along with some lovely looks at old props and footage from the films.

I think the people that will really eat this up are the hardcore special effects fans. I found it a bit long overall (it is a solid 109 minutes), but certainly nothing I had to pause or leave the room for, or even skip through. And for any hardcore Evil Dead or practical monster effects fans, well, and without a shadow of a doubt, it is most definitely worth your time, of that you have my word.

In closing, something I noticed is that all of the interviews make sure not to offend Sam Raimi, but at the same time it is abundantly clear the Lovecraftian gimmick of his film was contributed by Sullivan, who sadly seemed pushed out creatively on the far inferior sequels.

Special Features:
Other Men’s Careers – A bonus documentary about the life of filmmaker Josh Becker
Vintage Tom Sullivan “In the Spotlight” interview (1989)
Unedited interview with Tim Philo, cinematographer of THE EVIL DEAD
Extended interview segments with Josh Becker
Promotional Trailers
Ryan Meade short films: ‘Bong Fly’ & ‘Cosmos Locos’
‘Bong Fly’ Behind-the-Scenes featurette
Photo Gallery

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