The term "Army of Darkness" refers to a famous fictional army featured in various forms of literature, movies, and video games. It is particularly associated with the horror-comedy film "Army of Darkness" released in 1992, directed by Sam Raimi and starring Bruce Campbell. The film follows the story of Ash Williams, a chainsaw-wielding antihero who is transported back in time to the Middle Ages where he must lead a group of knights against the Army of Darkness, a supernatural force led by an evil sorcerer. The Army of Darkness is known for its menacing presence and relentless pursuit of power. Comprised of various demonic creatures, evil deadites, and undead warriors, the army poses a significant threat to the protagonists of the story. They are led by the main antagonist, Lord Arthur, a powerful sorcerer seeking to obtain the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis, a book with dark supernatural powers.
They are led by the main antagonist, Lord Arthur, a powerful sorcerer seeking to obtain the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis, a book with dark supernatural powers. Throughout the film, Ash Williams confronts a series of challenges and battles against the Army of Darkness. Armed with his trusty chainsaw and shotgun, Ash becomes an unlikely hero, using his wit and resourcefulness to fight the army and protect himself and his allies.
The eight sacred Celtic holidays of the year
There are eight special sacred days, holidays, and festivals in Ireland that date back to the old Celtic world.
Christianity adopted many of their feast days to match the old Celtic traditions - learn about them below:
St Brigid's Day - Imbolc
St. Brigid's Day - Imbolc.
The year's first sacred holiday, the feast day of Saint Brigid, is celebrated on February 1, marking the beginning of Spring.
The Bogha Bríde or Brigid's Day Cross is the symbol of the day. Traditionally, reeds or straw are collected from the fields and crafted into a cross. St. Brigid is Ireland’s first native saint, the most celebrated Irish female saint, and was the Abbess of one of the first convents in Ireland.
Read more
- The enduring traditions of St. Brigid's Day
St. Patrick's Day - Spring Equinox
The most well known and widely celebrated of all the Celtic traditional holidays. Photo source: Tourism Ireland.
Around the globe, Irish people and those of Irish descent celebrate St. Patrick's Day on March 17, which is one of Ireland's biggest holidays.
The special holiday is devoted to the patron saint of Ireland. The religious day is marked by a special mass for the feast and traditionally everyone wears green. This is considered the middle of the Spring season and is also referred to as the Spring Equinox.
Celebrate everything Irish this March with IrishCentral's global community.
May Day - Bealtaine
Celebrate May Day at Uisneach Fire Festival.
May Day, the 1st of May, is a Holy Day in Ireland that marks the start of the summer season.
Centuries ago, bonfires were lit to welcome the arrival of summer. In Ireland, depending on what day the holiday falls on, the feast is marked by a public holiday.
In towns around the country, May Day fairs are held where farmers and traders all gather in towns to sell their wares.
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- Ancient Celtic festival of Bealtaine begins May 1
Midsummer - Summer solstice
Summer Solstice at Hill of Tara.
The summer solstice is marked in parts of Ireland by bonfires on the side of the road. It is usually celebrated on June 23, the longest day of the year. In rural Ireland communities gather and for their local bonfire and celebrate the longest day of the year with song and dance.
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- How to celebrate the Summer Solstice the Irish way
Lughnasa
In ancient times this sacred day marked the beginning of harvest on August 1. It honored the Celtic God of Lugh.
In Gaelic folklore, it was the time for hand-fastings or trial marriages that would last a year and a day, which could then be renewed. Many celebrate the holiday today with reunions, bonfires, and dancing.
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- Lughnasa recipes, rituals, traditions and symbols for the ancient Celtic festival
Autumnal/Fall Equinox
Apple orchard in Armagh during the harvest. Image: Tourism Ireland.
Similar to the St. Patrick's Day festival, the Autumn/Fall Equinox celebrates when night and day are of equal duration and usually falls in the middle of Fall, around September 21.
The symbol of the sacred day is the cornucopia as all the harvest is collected and the stocks for winter is hoped to be plentiful.
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- Welcoming the autumnal equinox at one of Ireland’s most magical ancient sites
Summer Solstice at Hill of Tara.
The film combines elements of horror, comedy, and fantasy, creating a unique and entertaining experience for viewers. The popularity of "Army of Darkness" and its iconic Army of Darkness has prompted numerous references and homages in popular culture. The film's distinct style, over-the-top action sequences, and memorable dialogue have gained a cult following over the years. In addition to the film, the Army of Darkness concept has been adapted into comic books, video games, and even a television series, further expanding its fictional universe. Overall, the Army of Darkness is a well-known fictional force that has captured the imagination of audiences with its blend of horror and comedy. Whether through the original film or its subsequent adaptations, the concept continues to entertain and resonate with fans worldwide..
Reviews for "Army of Darkness: A Love Letter to Classic Horror"
1. Emily - ★★☆☆☆
I was extremely disappointed with "Army of Darkness Witch." I had high hopes for this film, considering the previous movies in the series were quite entertaining. However, this installment seemed to lack the charm and wit that made the others enjoyable. The storyline was convoluted and confusing, and the humor fell flat most of the time. The acting was also subpar, and it felt like the actors were just going through the motions. Overall, "Army of Darkness Witch" did not live up to my expectations, and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Mark - ★☆☆☆☆
"Army of Darkness Witch" was one of the worst movies I have ever seen. The plot was ridiculous, and it seemed like the filmmakers were more interested in showcasing gruesome and unnecessary violence rather than telling a coherent story. The dialogue was cringe-worthy, and the attempts at humor were forced and unfunny. Additionally, the special effects were cheesy and poorly executed. I found myself checking my phone halfway through the movie because I couldn't bear to watch it anymore. Save yourself the time and skip this film.
3. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆
I had such high hopes for "Army of Darkness Witch," but it fell flat for me. While the previous movies in the series had a good balance of humor and horror, this one seemed to rely too heavily on slapstick comedy. The jokes were repetitive and predictable, and the over-the-top acting only added to the annoyance. The action sequences were also overdone and lacked any real tension. Overall, "Army of Darkness Witch" missed the mark for me, and I wouldn't recommend it to fans of the previous films in the series.
4. Michael - ★★☆☆☆
As a fan of the "Army of Darkness" franchise, I was excited to see the latest installment, but it left me feeling disappointed. The storyline delved too much into unnecessary subplots and lost sight of what made the previous movies enjoyable. The humor felt forced, and the attempts at one-liners fell flat. The special effects were not up to par, which was surprising considering the advancements in technology since the earlier films. Overall, "Army of Darkness Witch" lacked the charm and originality that made me a fan in the first place. It's a shame to see a once-great franchise decline in quality like this.