The Army of Darkness is a fictional concept that has been depicted in various forms of media, such as movies, comics, and video games. The term "Army of Darkness" typically refers to a group of evil, supernatural beings or creatures that serve as the primary antagonists in a particular storyline. One notable depiction of the Army of Darkness is in the 1992 cult classic film, "Army of Darkness," directed by Sam Raimi. In this film, the protagonist, Ash Williams, is transported back in time to medieval England, where he finds himself facing off against an army of undead soldiers known as the Army of Darkness. Led by the evil necromancer, the "Dark One," this legion of skeletal warriors and demonic creatures poses a significant threat to Ash and the kingdom he becomes entangled with. As Ash fights his way through hordes of the Army of Darkness, he encounters various challenges and obstacles, often relying on his wit, bravery, and unconventional methods to overcome them.
Those of an older generation might remember her better as Mammy Yokum, the scrappy matriarch of Li'l Abner. Hayes played the character, which was born in the popular newspaper comic strips, both on stage and in the 1959 film. Here she is in character.
She became such an icon in a shockingly short amount of time Pufnstuf only aired for 17 episode that Hayes essentially played iterations of the same character on other shows. Following a couple of guest appearances on episodic TV in 1967 including a Mammy Yokum-type matriarch in the Hillbilly Honeymoon episode of The Monkees Hayes endeared herself to a generation of glued-to-the-tube Saturday morning viewers in 1969 as the eccentrically costumed, ever-cackling and always bumbling Witchiepoo full name Wilhelmina W.
As Ash fights his way through hordes of the Army of Darkness, he encounters various challenges and obstacles, often relying on his wit, bravery, and unconventional methods to overcome them. This depiction of the Army of Darkness emphasizes their power, relentless nature, and their intent to conquer and spread darkness throughout the land. The concept of the Army of Darkness has been adapted and expanded upon in other forms of media as well.
Series / H.R. Pufnstuf
First in a long line of surreal and sometimes disturbing offerings from Sid and Marty Krofft Productions. The show premiered in 1969 and was rerun until 1971. To get an idea as to what you're in for, we turn to VH1's "I Love the '70s" show, and their description of H.R. Pufnstuf:
Greg Proops: "So, the deal with H.R. Pufnstuf is, Sid and Marty Krofft did a lot of drugs back in the '70s when they were given a TV show. "
For a more technical description, read on.
Jimmy (Jack Wild), a young boy with a British accent and a speech impediment, is abducted by the sinister and disturbingly Oedipal witch Wilhelmina W. Witchiepoo (Billie Hayes) in a gambit to snatch his magical talking golden flute. Her plan involves tricking both boy and flute into riding inside a boat that at first looks lovely and inviting, then turns sinister and violent. Yes, really.
But Pufnstuf was watching too, and knew exactly what to do.
Jimmy is rescued by H.R. Pufnstuf (voiced by Lennie Weinrib), a large dragon muppet who serves as mayor of Living Island, a bizarre place where everything, even the trees, are "alive". (Yes, we know. Here "living" basically means "anthropomorphic" or "sentient".)
The short series (17 episodes aired) followed the adventures of Jimmy, Puf and Freddie [the flute], as they made several attempts to smuggle Jimmy off the island while staying clear of Witchiepoo and her henchmen. A film version, featuring guest stars Martha Raye and Cass Elliot, appeared in 1970, a year after the show's premiere.
To say that H.R. Pufnstuf was disturbing is like saying the ocean is wet. There is just something almost seductively creepy about the whole thing, from Jimmy's constant prancing and the vaguely homoerotic relationship among boy, flute, and full-bodied puppet, to the bizarrely twisted maternal figure of the witch, to the generally drug-induced artistic design of the costumes and sets. This is not a show to watch sober.
As a historical note, the basic design and characters of McDonald's "McDonaldland" commercials were blatantly plagiarized from H.R. Pufnstuf in 1971 after Sid & Marty Krofft refused to license the Pufnstuf characters for use in a McDonald's commercial campaign. The Kroffts sued in 1973, and won the case in 1977. For more information, see this article at Cecil Adams' The Straight Dope, or this one at coolcopyright.com. However, the Kroffts themselves were sued by the singer-songwriter Paul Simon who argued successfully in court that the show's Theme Song sounded too much like his song, "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)," and the court settlement included Simon getting a mention in the credits.
In comic books and graphic novels, the Army of Darkness has been featured in crossover storylines with iconic characters, such as Marvel's "Punisher" and "Xena: Warrior Princess." These stories often involve the protagonist teaming up with other heroes to combat the forces of evil and save the day. Additionally, the Army of Darkness has served as inspiration for video game adaptations. Games such as "Army of Darkness: Defense" and "Evil Dead: Regeneration" allow players to take on the role of Ash Williams and face off against the Army of Darkness in an interactive and action-packed gaming experience. Overall, the concept of the Army of Darkness has captivated audiences and fans of the horror genre for its portrayal of an overwhelming and sinister force seeking to bring chaos and destruction. Whether on the silver screen, in comics, or video games, the Army of Darkness continues to be a memorable and compelling element in various forms of entertainment..
Reviews for "Cryptic Chronicles: Untold Tales of the Army of Darkness Aritch"
1. Name: John
Rating: 2/5
Review: I was really disappointed with "Army of Darkness Aritch". The graphics were outdated and the gameplay felt clunky. It lacked the excitement and thrill that I was expecting from an action game. The story was too predictable and the dialogue was cheesy. Overall, it felt like a generic and forgettable game that didn't live up to the hype.
2. Name: Sarah
Rating: 2/5
Review: I was expecting a fun and engaging gaming experience with "Army of Darkness Aritch", but I was left disappointed. The controls were difficult to master and the camera angles were frustrating. The level design was repetitive and there was a lack of variety in enemies and objectives. Additionally, the game had several bugs and glitches that hindered my progress. It felt like a rushed and unfinished product.
3. Name: Michael
Rating: 1/5
Review: "Army of Darkness Aritch" was a complete waste of time and money for me. The graphics were outdated and the gameplay was repetitive and unenjoyable. The combat system was clunky and the enemy AI was poorly designed. The story lacked depth and the characters were one-dimensional. I regret purchasing this game and would not recommend it to anyone.
4. Name: Emily
Rating: 2/5
Review: I had high hopes for "Army of Darkness Aritch" but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The controls were confusing and the camera angles made it difficult to navigate through the game. The combat was repetitive and lacked excitement. The story was forgettable and didn't make me invested in the game. Overall, it was a mediocre experience that didn't offer anything new or innovative in the gaming world.
5. Name: David
Rating: 2/5
Review: "Army of Darkness Aritch" was a disappointment for me. The graphics were subpar and the gameplay mechanics felt clunky. The controls were unresponsive at times, making it frustrating to play. The sound design was lackluster and didn't enhance the gaming experience. Overall, it felt like a rushed and poorly executed game. I would not recommend it to hardcore gamers who are looking for an immersive and enjoyable gaming experience.