Invaluable: The True Story Of An Epic Artist (2023) – Film Review

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Invaluable: The True Story Of An Epic Artist (2023) - Film Review

Director: Ryan Meade
Cast: Bruce Campbell, Theresa Tilly, Betsy Baker
Certificate: TBC

By Roger Crow

I’ve been a fan of the Evil Dead saga since the sequel was released in 1987. That perfect mix of comedy and horror, it helped turn director Sam Raimi into a Hollywood hot property, though of course the first movie was one of the biggest talking points of the video nasty controversy of the early 1980s. Raimi’s low-fi approach to making movies was inspiring. And even fans like me were oblivious to one of the real driving forces behind the saga. Until now.

Sculptor and artist Tom Sullivan finally gets the credit he deserves in a new doc which features a hit and miss mix of talking heads. Bruce Campbell is as eloquent and compelling as ever, while others? Not quite so much, but it’s still a fascinating study of how a skilled artist helped shape one of the best loved horror franchises of all time.

Director Ryan Meade’s Invaluable: The True Story of an Epic Artist examines the life, times, and art of Sullivan.

Invaluable: The True Story Of An Epic Artist (2023) - Film Review

“Inspiring stuff”

Inevitably there’s a look back at the making of The Evil Dead, and though the mix of multiple film/video formats are a little jarring, there are real nuggets of interest here for all horror fans.

Bruce Campbell is the star of the show (his book ‘If Chins Could Kill’ is a must-read if you get the chance), but there is also anecdotal gold from the likes of fellow collaborators Ted Raimi, Josh Becker, Danny Hicks, Hal Delrich, Ellen Sandweiss, Betsy Baker and Theresa Tilly.

There are plenty of other goodies on the doc too, including a bonus documentary about the life of filmmaker Josh Becker, and a vintage Tom Sullivan “In the Spotlight” interview from 1989. At times it’s as grungy as the original movies (one interviewee needed a little make up under the spotlight as he starts to glisten, reminding viewers how important little touches like that are during such vox pops).

However, for anyone who loves Raimi’s bonkers saga, Invaluable: The True Story Of An Epic Artist is a must-see, and inspiring stuff for anyone who wants to make their own movies.

Direction8
Content8
Editing8
Rewatchability9
Invaluable: The True Story of an Epic Artist is available from Synapse Films
8.3
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