This talent not only wrote it, but is also directing and starring in the film. Last week, he announced he will be touring less so he can conserve his strength for the film’s release this autumn and provide interviews for it. I wish him well as he undergoes treatment for cancer. Whether he beats it remains to be seen, but if he’s anything like Ash, he’ll find a way to send those errant cells packing.
Fans are glad he’s taking care of himself. Between his many convention appearances, book signings, and daily activity, everything combined can take a toll not just physically but also mentally. Seeing him serve as executive producer on an independent film is also encouraging, since it suggests he still has a strong hand in shaping the work he wants to make.
For those who have read his autobiography, If Chins Could Kill, and its sequel, Hail to the Chin, (Amazon links) his experiences in and out of the Hollywood system say plenty. In a press release, he said, “What independent movies lack in budget, they gain in a singular vision, with creative decisions slaving to the story, not the marketing department. I think audiences can feel the difference between a film made by a committee and one made by a handful of like-minded individuals. Quirky stories with odd ball characters appeal to me, and independent films are more likely to embrace these characteristics.”
Because many of his lesser-known films tend to be passed over by fans looking for more of the same old thing, I’ve assembled a top five list of favourites that deserve more attention. I have to sneak in mention of My Southern Family Christmas as a contender for honourable mention since he has a bit part in this television film. Sometimes we see him without the snark, and that’s when he truly shines. Disclaimer: The links go to Amazon USA, for those who haven’t seen these films yet and want to track them down.
- Bubba Ho-Tep (2002): When Bruce plays Elvis, he’s going against type, and maybe even against expectation, as an old man in a retirement home facing off against a mummy. It remains one of his finest performances. As absurd as the premise sounds, what makes the film brilliant is the inventiveness of the story and the surprising tenderness underneath it.
- Congo (1995): Campbell has a supporting role in this action-adventure film, playing a more serious and somewhat villainous character, far removed from Ash.
- Goldrush: A Real Life Alaskan Adventure (1998): Not everyone would place this film, starring Alyssa Milano and Campbell, near the top, but I find there’s a lot of heart in a story where he plays an everyday fellow offering candid advice to a heroine trying to escape her New York life. This period film was shot in Whistler, BC, and that local connection gives it an added resonance.
- Maniac Cop (1988) and Maniac Cop 2 (1990): These are straightforward slasher-action films. While they feature a supernatural killer, they lack the comedic elements and manic energy that define Evil Dead. Campbell plays a more traditional leading man role here, rather than the increasingly unhinged hero fans know best.
- Moontrap (1989): A sci-fi horror film in which Campbell plays an astronaut who encounters ancient alien technology on the moon. It’s more creature feature than slapstick, but it has some moments. Also, this film may well have been the source for the Apollo 20 conspiracy, where a female named “Mona Lisa,” was found and the former crew discovered (and apparently eaten). Although this work isn’t played up for laughs, any film with Brucie will have moments where he has to camp it up.
Fans drawn to the specific blend of slapstick, gore, and one-liners that define the Evil Dead franchise may find these films lacking those familiar qualities, which is likely why they’re sometimes overlooked. Still, for a true Bruce Campbell fan, they offer the chance to see his range beyond his most iconic role.