The similarities between the seminal 1981 horror landmark "Evil Dead" and the little known cult classic "Equinox" are simply undeniable. However, to relegate "Equinox's" status as simply an "Evil Dead" prototype would be to write it off entirely when, in fact, the film stands alone as a profoundly unique B-movie that bridges the gap between the "Giant Monster" movies of the 1950s and the significantly more violent avant-garde films of the 1970s.
Originally entitled "The Equinox...A Journey into the Supernatural" and released in 1967, it's a film starring teenagers and made by teenagers. The film was eventually shortened to its simpler moniker and re-distributed with new footage shot by Jack Woods in 1970. Using a composite of Claymation, stop-motion animation and bluescreen effects, "Equinox" pays homage to special-effects tactics of old while staying true to its horror roots.
Many of the effects are reminiscent of Ray Harryhausen's work in "Jason and the Argonauts" and, dating even further back, the brilliant cinematography of 1940's "Thief of Bagdad" — specifically the juxtaposition of live actors engaged with disproportionately larger monsters all in the same shot. This technique, while far from perfect, is a lost art that mirrors the DIY ethics of older B-movies. It's hard to quantify such a unique tactic, but certain effects just ooze schlock, and none greater than the use of bluescreening in horror/sci-fi.
"Equinox" director Dennis Muren may not necessarily be a household name for most people, but Muren is a nine-time Oscar winning special effects artist. His work can most notably be seen in such blockbusters as "Star Wars," "Jurassic Park" and "Terminator 2: Judgment Day." Spending a sparse $6,500 in total to make "Equinox," it's safe to say that Muren has come a long way in pursuit of his filmmaking dreams. It also goes to prove that behind every brilliant special effects mind is a bright-eyed teenager raised on a healthy dose of science fiction comics and Universal monsters.
Yes, "Equinox" is a creature feature, but at the film's heart is a Lovecraftian tale yearning to break free. When four young people go on a camping trip in search of a missing mad scientist, they stumble across an ancient book of the dead and a creepy, shifty-eyed park ranger. The park ranger reveals himself to be Asmodeus, king of the demons, who sends a series of demonic monsters in pursuit of the Necronomicon. The teens are thusly embattled with the forces of evil right up to the rather predictable, yet fitting, open-ended conclusion.
So, for those keeping score at home of all the "Evil Dead" comparisons: Ambitious special effects? Check. Four teens in the woods fighting the undead? Check. Necronomicon? Triple check. Surely, though, these criteria describe a majority of all low-budget horror movies of the '70s and '80s. Yes, but it only takes one viewing of "Equinox" to fully realize the abundantly obvious similarities between the two cult classics — the most obvious of which can be seen in the back story behind the Necronomicon, featuring a series of shots that were essentially repurposed by Raimi in "Evil Dead," specifically, the infamous rolling smoke, spinning book of the dead and even the appearance of a stop-motion skeleton soldier, which, of course would later be featured in "Army of Darkness."
Now, none of these similarities is meant to take away or discredit "Evil Dead"; in fact, I would even say it's a far superior movie to "Equinox." However, such a debate is simply meant to draw attention to a lesser-known horror gem in the rough — one that inspired an entire new breed of filmmakers. Sam Raimi, whether he cops up to it or not, owes a great deal of gratitude to Dennis Muren and "Equinox." Who knows, maybe it was the singular image of the Cthulian tentacles sprouting from the ground to demolish a little cabin in the woods that was forever burned in Raimi's memory.
Suffice it to say, "Equinox" is surely not without its own flaws. The film hearkens back to a time when bright-eyed young horror enthusiasts got a camera and a group of friends together and journeyed forth into the unknown to make a movie. The acting is subsequently lackluster, but the time and attention to detail paid to the special effects is where my heart bursts with nostalgia. CGI has all but ruined this old-school DIY ethos, but it's films like "Equinox" that remind me of a time when backyard monsters were par for the B-movie course.
If you want to experience all there is to experience with "Equinox," I would highly suggest investing in the Criterion Collection box set. As to be expected, CC spared no expense when it came to the special features and the painstaking remastering of the film. The box set even includes the original 1967 version and the 15-minute-longer 1970 theatrical release for your viewing pleasure. If that weren't enough, there is also a video introduction by uber sci-fi fan Forrest J. Ackerman.
Disc two features interviews with Muren and actors Frank Bonner, Barbara Hewitt and James Duron. There are also a slew of deleted scenes and outtakes from the original "Equinox," as well as archival stop-motion test footage. Going a step beyond your everyday special features, disc two even features a short from 1972 entitled "Zorgon: The H-Bomb Beast from Hell," featuring several cast and crew members from "Equinox."
To what extent "Equinox" is due credit for the some of the themes present in "Evil Dead" is up for you to decide. Either way you slice it though, "Equinox" is a landmark in filmmaking, and Muren's filmography speaks for itself. Ipso facto, why not go straight to the source and see for yourself the beginnings of a horror sci-fi legend?