THE STORY: A notoriously troubled production notwithstanding, the controversial cult classic THE WICKER MAN is now regarded as a classic of British cinema. Edward Woodward stars as Sergeant Howie, a naive young police officer sent to Summerisle, a secluded island off the coast of Scotland, to investigate the disappearance of a young girl named Rowan. When he arrives there, he finds a very tight-knit community that is mistrustful and hostile to outsiders. No one is willing to even acknowledge Rowan’s disappearance. Soon, Howie begins to realize that the town might, in fact, be a strange pagan cult, one given to unbridled sexuality and possible human sacrifice. Seeking an audience with the oddly civilized Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee), Howie hopes to get to the bottom of the mystery, but instead he finds something more shocking than he could have ever imagined.
Written by Anthony Shaffer (SLEUTH, DEATH ON THE NILE), Robin Hardy’s eerie film paints a disturbing portrait of an almost prehistoric, multi-deity worshipping society given to bizarre rituals and Bacchanalian excess. Though recognition may have been a long time coming, THE WICKER MAN stands as a strikingly original achievement that is equal parts horror, drama, comedy, and musical.
THE REVIEW: The Wicker Man is as creepy as it is bizarre. There is nothing better than a film that lingers into your dreams. I woke up last night finding it hard to shake some of the insanity. There are those that think of The Wicker Man as a true classic. After watching the movie for the first time it wasn’t nearly that impressive.
The Wicker Man is good but it’s not nonstop horror action. In fact, there is a long stretch in the beginning where nothing really happens. It isn’t until Christopher Lee shows up that The Wicker Man starts to get interesting. We get scenes that are disturbing but never shocking. It’s funny to see Sergeant Howie’s reaction to witnessing sex in the open and other pagan rituals. As a horror movie, The Wicker Man is mighty timid.
THE EXTRAS: “The Wicker Man Enigma” – A good featurette with Director Robin Hardy, Christopher Lee, Edward Woodward, screenwriter Anthony Shaffer, and special guest Roger Corman. It goes into the creation of the film right down to the different edited versions. Finally, there are talent bios, an original trailer, TV spots, and radio spots.
FRANKLY: I’d take any of the Romero classics over The Wicker Man. Anyone who thinks this is a classic hasn’t seen it since 1973.
+ Charlie Craine
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