Directed by:
Robin HardyScreenplay:
Anthony ShafferCinematography:
Harry WaxmanComposer:
Paul GiovanniCast:
Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Diane Cilento, Britt Ekland, Ingrid Pitt, Robin Hardy, Aubrey Morris, Roy Boyd, John Hallam, Paul Giovanni, Gerry Cowper (more)VOD (3)
Plots(1)
Off the coast of Scotland, the natives of a small island owned and run by a Lord Summerisle, immerse themselves in a religion based on pagan rites and rituals, totally antithetical to Catholic dogma. When a devout Christian police sergeant from the mainland comes to the island to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a local 12-year-old girl, he stirs up hatred and resentment among the locals to such an extent that for their annual May Day celebrations, to insure the crops don't fail for a second year in a row, he becomes their target to appease the heathen goddess of the harvest. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Videos (1)
Reviews (10)
An atmospheric treat that is really hard to comment on. In any case, The Wicker Man is original through and through, and probably the strangest and most poetic "whodunit" I've ever seen. With the best soundtrack. Genre classification? Who cares! Christopher Lee had me wrapped around his finger once again.
()
This is one of those films that always convince me (when I’m in doubt) that my efforts to fill my horror film education are not pointless. It is permeated by an incredible atmosphere, though not a scary or horror one – The Wicker Man is only marginally horror – but the very particular atmosphere of countryside, fields, sun, etc. I didn’t mind at all the music score (though it’s not something I like much elsewhere) because it helps the film a lot; it’s really good. The film has a great twist, which today wouldn’t be as shocking as thirty years ago, but it still adds points. For me, this a gem that should captivate everyone (provided they are in the right mood, like I was), even if there are a few things that deserve criticism. I haven’t watched the recent remake with Cage and I don’t want to.
()
In terms of execution, it's nothing great – often shoddy editing and dull staging of potentially impressive scenes that could have been among the gems of cinema. But maybe that's why Wicker Man impressed me so much. The nagging feeling that I was watching something unconventional, original and distinctive, persisted in me the whole time, culminating in the surprising ending in exactly my favourite cinephilic way. The script is very clever and manages to keep the viewer's curiosity and slight tension, the actors give convincing performances and the Scottish music completes the immersive formal setting. It makes me think that if Kubrick had made something like this, I wouldn’t be able to sleep for a week out of sheer excitement. 75%
()
Horror productions often resemble a merry-go-round, where a successful film is usually the starting point for a whole series of inferior sequels and the genre actually recycles a few successful models. The Wicker Man stands out from the genre's compartments and plays with its viewers, just like it does with its protagonist. Policeman Howie comes to the island to solve the disappearance of a local girl, but from the very beginning, he faces strange reactions from the local population. Common conventions, rules, and laws recognized on the mainland do not apply in this place. A sinister premonition turns into certainty that a terrible crime is imminent, and that turns into a determination to save the victim's endangered life at all costs. The film uses motifs from the horror and thriller genres, but it disregards their traditional props and, in the end, it is closer to a very dark comedy. It overturns traditional Christian morality (from which the gothic novel emerges as a predecessor of modern horror), ridicules it, and gradually leads its principled protagonist into a fateful trap. The Wicker Man is not particularly profound or complicated, but it is surprisingly functional and above all entertaining. Overall impression: 75%.
()
I loved this. Wicker Man is definitely a rarity that surprises the viewer even today after several years. A policeman arrives on an island to investigate the disappearance of a little girl, but everyone on the island is in denial and no one is willing to reveal anything. As time goes on very strange things happen on the island, and this one suits me perfectly. The strange inhabitants, the strange traditions, the nice final twist and especially the eagerness and unpredictability accompanying the whole film keeps the viewer constantly on the lookout. One of the few older films that doesn't use shameful effects and the impact on the viewer is very strong. 75%
()
Gallery (48)
Photo © National General Pictures
![The Wicker Man - Photos](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w663/files/images/film/photos/159/277/159277984_43aa1d.jpg)
Ads