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Summary: Haunting memories of a WICKER MAN....
Review: I happened to stumble across this movie years ago when they use to show all of the older horror movies on tv over the weekend. I never forgot the movie or its horrific ending. I am glad that Anchor Bay gave it such special treatment, releasing a longer restored version. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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Summary: Engrossing mediation on dogma
Review: This is not a horror movie in the generally understood sense, but since it has Christopher Lee in it, I guess people expect that it will be. But be prepared for something more cerebral: the Wicker Man won't have you leaping behind the sofa (well, not out of fright, at any rate) but it will tax your sensibilities: a sense of dawning, slowly spreading dread will get under your skin. That's a far more difficult stunt for a director to pull off. For all this sense of dread, the Wicker Man is a considered rumination on a clash of beliefs. Woodward is superbly cast as an out-and-out prude of a Christian policeman, lured from his beat on the conventional Scottish mainland to an isolated Scottish Isle to investigate an allegation of a missing person. The isle quickly reveals itself to be (in Sgt. Howie's view) a den of disgusting iniquity, its population given over to the practice of pagan rites in place of decent, traditional Christian Values. The epicentre of activity is the local pub, the Green Man. This is the first score the film makes: the Green Man is a figure from Celtic myth and the rituals and beliefs associated with it have been around, in the British Isles, longer than Christianity itself. And the pagans run rings around poor, starched Sgt. Howie. Howie fulminates, he fumes, and bridles beneath his policeman's uniform, of which he barely removes even his hat. The locals, by contrast, are quite happy to remove pretty much everything, indulging in sins of the flesh in nearly every direction that Howie can turn. Christopher Lee is marvellous as the gentrified spokesperson for this way of life. He remarks to Howie that he could live with the animals: "They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins." Howie, by contrast, positively revels in weeping for his, and those of the islanders. .... Screenplay writer Shaffer alludes to another ancient pagan mythology in developing this point: One night Howie is tempted, like Odysseus, by a singing siren in the form of Landlord's daughter Britt Ekland, knocking on the his wall and enticing him to sample her wares. By the skin of his teeth (and by dint of staying the other side of the wall) Howie retains his pyjamas and maintains his composure, though I daresay viewers will have trouble doing so: it is an extraordinarily erotic scene. But it is not gratuitous: in steadfastly refusing to give himself over to temptation, Howie unwittingly sets himself up for the awful resolution of the film. It is difficult to discuss much of the rest of the Wicker Man without giving the game away, and this rob the film of much of its impact. Suffice to say it's a truly startling, haunting finish, the final scene instilling real dread and horror not so much in Howie's own predicament (although this is surely dreadful enough), but the viewer's realisation (which Howie himself never makes) that his whole scheme of belief will not save him or in any way mitigate his own fate. Oddly this ending met with approval amongst church leaders, who pronounced the film profoundly Christian in depicting Howie's heroic final stance. That's not how I saw it: to my eyes the entire film is an essay in the futility of Christian thought: as he rails impotently against the inevitable fate he has brought on himself, it is Howie himself who is the Wicker (i.e., straw) Man. And at his demise, the sun comes up on the isle, as if nothing had happened.
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Summary: Own a movie that none of your friends have
Review: I first saw this film as a rental from the video store. It was a dusty sun bleached box sitting at on a bottom shelf. I'd have to admit I was a little confused about some parts of it when I was done. It was not till a few years later that I bought the extended edition that I really began to enjoy this movie. If you are going to buy this make sure you watch the extended edition, everything finally makes sense. For some reason they felt American audiences would not "sit through" the regular version so they cut it down. Anyway, Edward Woodward as the annoying Sergeant Howie does a great job and Christopher Lee is as always a great actor to watch as Lord Summerisle. Some of the music is quite laughable, especially the song the villagers sing in the pub, but overall it is mostly a fun movie to watch. Besides is it is a great conversation piece to have in your DVD collection. The special features are not really that great, although the trailers are quite funny in the fact that they are poorly done, there is also a "hidden" interview with Christopher Lee which is a very poor picture quality. The main reason to buy this version over the regular one is the extended edition of the film.
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Summary: Anthony Schaeffer's cult classic horror film
Review: "The Wicker Man" is one of those films that I had heard great things about for several years before it finally came to an art theater in town and I was able to see it. My initial response was one of disappointment, not because I found the film to have major flaws or anything, but simply because my expectations had been raised to the level of something like "Citizen Kane," "The Seven Samurai," or at least "Psycho." In retrospect, the problem is more that the film is characterized as a horror film (Christopher Lee has a major role) and "The Wicker Man" does and does not fall into that category. Certainly very few horror films take place so much during the daylight hours. When Sgt. Howie (Edward Woodward) of the West Highland Police comes to the isolated Scottish island of Summerisle to search for a missing schoolgirl, Rowan Morrison, he finds that something a bit more disturbing that the secrets kept by the locals. Howie, a professed Christian, is repulsed by the open devotion of the people to the Old Gods, complete with pagan rituals and open sexuality. Even worse, these abhorrent practices are endorsed and encouraged by the local Lord. They also refuse to help with his investigation, more out of a sense of detachment rather than as a concerted effort to keep Howie from discovering the truth. He wanders the town and the surrounding countryside, and it from this footage of the Scottish highlands that you get the sense there are things older than civilization and Howie is an interloper. Howie's suspicion is that young Rowan was sacrificed by some sort of cult headed by Lord Summerisle (Lee), but he is half-right in that horrible way that becomes suddenly and tragically clear at the film's climax. The grand irony of the film is that Howie is being judged and found wanting, just as he is doing the same of others. Besides the climax, the most memorable scene in the film is when the local sex siren, Willow (Britt Ekland) keeps the sergeant awake by dancing naked outside his door (I have to point out that a body double was used for some of this scene and that Ekland's voice was dubbed in the film). Howie obviously suffers from a repressive idea of Christianity where his carnal desires torment him even more than the horrible crime he suspects has been perpetrated. Another delicious irony of Anthony Schaeffer's script is that the character of Howie, who obviously cannot handle the sexual freedom of the Sixties, is confronted by its implications in a remote village that harkens back to the old days. "The Wicker Man" is a rare horror film since the key person in its success is writer Anthony Shaffer ("Frenzy," "Sleuth"), whose script takes ancient Druid practices, pagan rites, and the origins of the celebration of May Day to give the story a sense of authenticity bound more in fact than fiction (cf. Dracula/vampire movies). The script also takes advantage of our expectations that Howie is the film's "hero," so that we become victims of the storyteller as much as the main character. In fact, this film works so well because it violates certain key expectations we have about horror films while seeming to embrace them. I know it will be seen as heresy, but I think "The Wicker Man" would have benefit from casting someone else other than Christopher Lee. While the actor's presence is obviously strong, just looking at him makes you think that "The Wicker Man" is going to turn into a Hammer monster movie at any moment. I mean, because it is Lee, we are not surprised that his character is even weirder than the townspeople, the same way that we are not surprised Eklund is running naked at some point in the film. In a film which works best when it works against our expectations in terms of the story, should follow the same logic with the casting as well. FINAL WARNING: If you have never seen "The Wicker Man," avoid watching trailers or anything else before you screen it for the first time. When you go back and watch these things after the film you will know why.
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Summary: Don't Expect a gore fest
Review: This film is a GREAT film! just don't go into it expecting a gore fest, or supernatural thriller, instead its broken down into the plain ol "thriller" category, Its about old school Pagan rituals, and beliefs. This film is like reading a Good book! It sets you up and knocks you for a loop at the end!
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Summary: Suspense thriller overcomes many obstacles
Review: You've made your masterpiece and then someone comes up and carves it into a less than comprehensible mess. It's happened to a number of fine films; Welles' The Magnificent Ambersons, Gilliam's Brazil. It's no surprise that this well written suspense thriller from the late Anthony Shaffer (Sleuth, Frenzy)and Robin Hardy was sliced and diced. What's truly tragic is that the bulk of the footage is in a landfill under a freeway in England. Future Blade Runner producer Michael Deely hated The Wicker Man and proceeded to have it disemboweled (much like the hatchet job that was done to Blade Runner). This special edition is unique in a number of ways: 1) It includes 11 minutes of important footage that helps clarify the story and movitations. 2) It features both versions (the restored version was assembled from a print given to Roger Corman when he bid on the distribution rights)of the film. 3)The documentary discusses the origin of the film, what went right (very little) and wrong (a lot)during production and post-production. All the main actors are interviewed as are director Hardy and writer Shaffer. 4)The special edition of the film comes packaged in a unique wooden box with the imposing logo and wickerman burned into the cover. I'd recommend reading amazon.com's plot synopsis. They do a pretty good job of summarizing the film. If you're not interested in the restored edition, pick up the theatrical release. It also includes the documentary and the trailers. The print is pristine. Anchor and Bay have once again done an outstanding job on this low budget minor English classic. It features one of Christopher Lee's finest performances. Edward Woodward does a great job as the police inspector (the role was originally written with Peter Cushing in mind. Cushing was detained due to another film role). It's not the Citizen Kane of horror films but it is a fine, well made and imagined suspense thriller. The closing moments are gripping and powerful.
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Summary: CULT HORROR FAVOURITE.
Review: Playwright Anthony Shaffer's deftly plotted town-with-a-secret plot is genuinely intelligent and suspenceful. It's built on solid philosophical conflicts: i.e. Christianity vs. paganism, piety vs. lust, reason vs. revelry. Scottish policeman Sgt. Howie (Edward Woodward) flies to remote Summerisle to investigate the reported disappearance of a young girl. Modishly coifed Christopher Lee is the laird of the island. Everything Howie finds challenges his strong religious beliefs in ways that neither he - nor the viewer - could have anticipated. Director Robin Hardy combines plain everyday realism with dream-like hallucinatory images. Woodward's stiff-backed performance gives his role the gravity and authority that the film needs to work. And it does work. Wonderfully. Be SURE the video version is the full 103 minutes.
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Summary: Horror film with depth
Review: British film about Sergeant Howie sent to investigate the disappearance of a young girl, on an Island off of Scotland. What he finds there is a pagan culture, who appears to be manipulating him for something. What that is I wont tell you, but it is a shock, and an investigation in the old religion of England. This is a horror film, a detective story, suspense, and musical. There are many layers to this film, and explores different subjects. The main one is religion, and truth. The visuals are quite spectacular. The music is beautiful. For those interested in paganism, or old nature religions, you will find this interesting. This could also be interesting to Christians because it shows a man of faith standing strong with his beliefs. Anthropologists will also like this film, because it deals with exploring different cultures, and the limitations we have coming from a different culture. The acting in this film is right on, and believable. You should watch with an open mind. 5 stars, check out this cult classic.
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Summary: Rowan Morrison?
Review: After the massive genre of the Hammer Horror film spree that swept Britain over the sixties and seventies, this eerie tale of withcraft and lust slowly crept into unsuspecting cinemas worldwide, tossed aside as just another Pinewood churnout. At first rejected by the production team and crew itself, it wasn't soon before it was slated by critics as a neglectful mishmash of porn-like images pasted together by silly glue. Straight-faced Sgt of police, Neil Howie (Woodward) is sent from the mainland to the remote Scottish island of Summerisle to investigate the strange disappearance of a young girl named Rowan Morrison. Before long, Howie is under the spell of the landlord's daughter, Willow (Ekland) and his Christian roots have to face his deep desires as she attempts to enchant him to her room. For the last 40 minutes, your thrilled by the second as the story slowly unravels to a harrowing climax that will stay with you for nights to come. A must-see for any movie lover.
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Summary: Christianity and The Wicker Man: The Film and Views of Faith
Review: I came to this film somewhat reluctantly: being quite sensitive about treatment of religion, and the sort of person who steers well clear of things like 'The Life of Brian,' I did abandon it not far in, but came back. I'm glad I did. It's immediate appeal is as a mystery, which holds you; it is also quite beautiful in its photography, and haunting music. What I took away with me however is the horrific ending. Now, there is a twist at the end, as in many films, but the impact is made by the sheer horror of the lead character facing being burned alive, watched by happy islanders singing and dancing against a backdrop of the island coast. The strength of Edward Woodward's character is his fallibility: he is a priggish, unforgiving Christian - maybe this makes him easier to identify with, rather than a paragon. As he is led up the hill to the place where he will die, he literally freaks out. Before he dies, he begs forgiveness, in an outpouring of passion and anger. The parallel of the sacrifice is obvious but powerful, and Woodward's performance amazing. The Wicker Man rises above its place as a horror/mystery to become a parable of how a community can be brainwashed, of how evil can spread, and ultimately as a disturbing and unforgettable portrayal of one man's refusal to abandon his faith in the face of death. It moves and inspires.
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