Within the Woods

Within the Woods
VHS bootleg cover
Directed by	Sam Raimi
Written by	Sam Raimi
Produced by	Rob Tapert
Starring	Bruce Campbell Ellen Sandweiss Mary Valenti Scott Spiegel
Cinematography	Tim Philo
Edited by	Sam Raimi
Release date	October 30, 1978 (1978-10-30)
Running time	32 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$1,600

Within the Woods is an 1978 horror short film written, directed and produced by Sam Raimi. Raimi drew inspiration from his earlier short film Clockwork, deciding to produce a proof of concept horror film to help build the interest of potential investors. Raimi cast his friends Bruce Campbell and Ellen Sandweiss as the two protagonists and produced the film for $1,600. Shot on location in a remote cabin in the woods, production was a difficult process because of the low budget. Several of the special effects presented in the film were done in a severely low budget manner, some of which were improvised on set. The film centers around demonic possession and mysterious forces originating from the woods.

Raimi convinced a local theater manager to screen the film alongside The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which sparked minor interest. Initially a meagre success, the film screened well to test audiences and inspired a larger budget remake directed by Raimi, called The Evil Dead (1981). The film was the first in the Evil Dead franchise, and launched the careers of both Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi. Several of the aesthetic qualities found in Within the Woods later defined Raimi's films.