The Wicker Man

Rating:
Summary: to Summersisle I did one day go
Review: This movie which I have seen many times now gets written up every Halloween as being one of the best horror films of all time and it is. This year the New York Times did a piece about it and sang its praises. If you haven't seen it don't read any further and see it before learning about all its secrets. I've been reading here about different versions of the movie and I agree with the person who said it doesn't matter which version you see. I rent it about once a year and even if the copy I get is old and has imperfections its still The Wicker Man. Christopher Lee as Lord Summersisle does what Christopher Lee always does better than any one else, he plays the Christopher Lee part, the kind of part he made famous. Equally memorable is Britt Ekland who is used exactly as Britt Ekland should be used, though it was revealed in the N.Y. Times article that its not really Britts bits we are seeing but a body double. Anyway she is earthy and innocent and beautiful and does a dance in the moonlight and any detective investigating a disappearance on a Scottish isle would fall for her. The island is gorgeous, the innkeepers daughter is gorgeous, the inn is well stocked, the rooms are quaint, and it just happens to be the time of year on Summersisle when certain traditions are observed. A good time of year to visit.
One of the best moments in the early going is while the detective is making enquiries at the inn and suddenly everyone breaks into song. A strange song he has never heard with strange lyrics that everyone knows, but him. Something is not right on Summersisle. The man to see is of course Lord Summersisle. The finale in the streets of the macabre village and on its gentle slopes overlooking the sea is like so much of this picture, easily recalled. You will make a ritual of watching this every year.

Rating:
Summary: Getting Facts Straight
Review: Just to clear up any confusion as to whether the Extended Version on this DVD is the definitive "102-minute" version... Every single addition to be found within the 102m version is well documented by Allan Brown in his book Inside the Wicker Man, and this version is IDENTICAL to the Anchor Bay DVD's Extended Version in content. The DVD lists the running time being 99m - thus one can only consider the supposed original "102 minute" cut a miscalculation. With the Limited Edition DVD, you have the most complete version, scene for scene, edit for edit. I've seen the original "102m" cut as shown on the UK Film Four channel earlier this year, and it is one and the same. The only difference is the improved quality of visuals during scenes taken from the Theatrical Version.

Rating:
Summary: Lame.
Review: Leonard Maltin is crazy. I'm watching this movie right now and it's an immature, silly, and not at all frightening piece of goo.

A very lame movie.

Rating:
Summary: Not a horror film - but deeply unsettling.
Review: Once again, a British film classic is released in America before it is here. Multi-region DVD owners will not be bothered but it is a sad reflection on UK distributors that everyone else has to miss out.

Christopher Lee calls it the "best film" he ever made, it has won many an award at film festivals and gained a massive cult following, but The Wicker Man was virtually disowned by the company who made it and sank without trace on its' original release in 1973. This may be because of its' resistance to conform to genre and style but more likely has a lot to do with short sighted money men. Whilst many elements of it are horrific, the film also flirts with notions of suspense, murder mystery and musical along the way.

Sergeant Howie's gradual journey to "Pagan" enlightenment and what it ultimately means to him is handled so masterfully by both writer Shaffer and director Hardy that the final revelation is almost as shocking to us as it is to the unfortunate police officer. The film questions those who manipulate religion for there own ends and the very nature of religion itself, and comes to some pretty uncomfortable conclusions. Both his saviour and his downfall, Howie's strict Catholicism is a double-edged sword that cuts little ice on the island of Summerisle. No matter how bizarre the Pagan rituals adhered to there seem to Howie or the viewer, they are based on the same sort of unshakeable methodology inherent in all religion. The ancient civilisations of South America had similar beliefs in terms of sacrifice, and whose to say they were wrong?

As well as being mind-enhancing, the film is incredibly well plotted. Led to believe it is a straightforward thriller that will end happily the viewer becomes as much a fool as Howie when confronted with the foreboding Wicker Man, and everything it has come to represent. The murder sub-plot is exposed as the diversion it was all along and the viewer left with a distinctly nasty taste in his mouth.

Other factors that add to the film's impact are the performances, which are excellent, and the cinematography, which belies the tiny budget.

As for the disc itself, Anchor Bay has gone to a lot of effort to offer both the truncated version and crucially the rare longer cut of the film. Whilst the extra footage in this longer version is of a lesser quality than the rest of the film the scenes are most definitely worth seeing and should not have been taken out in the first place. Apparently, the added scenes were only available from a video print and so, understandably, could not be better restored, but well done to Anchor Bay for at least providing them. When one considers the fact that more footage was (allegedly) buried under a motorway then one should be grateful for small mercies I suppose.

The documentary is solid and should be commended for featuring as many of those involved as possible and the trailers and tv spots are all present and correct.

A commentary would have been nice but there is an added Easter egg which is easy to find on the special features page and although really only watchable once it is hilarious. It is a poor recording of a regional American arts programme featuring an interview with Christopher Lee and Robin Hardy during the film's second release in America. It is presented by a man who cannot go longer than five seconds without saying "er" and includes an embarrassing moment in which a very confident Christopher Lee starts singing opera... and can't stop.
To cap it all, the special edition of the DVD comes in a handsome wooden case. For the film alone however, the purchase is must have.

Rating:
Summary: Incredible and Totally Unmissable.
Review: Without repeating the usual "Time" debate i have only but praise for this incredible dvd package. Before i got this dvd i had only the Theatrical version on VHS which i had seen countless times. But was i surprised to see the extended version, this version has much more substance and is way better than the Theatrical version. The picture i must say is not that great, actually compared to the Theatrical version it's a bad transfer, but don't let that put you off, this is the version you should defintely have if you have in the past seen the wicker man and enjoyed it. As for the extra features they are a delight, even the hidden easter egg is good. Well the only negative thing to say is that i have read on the net that this is to be remade with Nicolas Cage playing Howie. God forbid this happens even if they spent $100million they cannot make anything better than this, this movie was made from the heart and not for profit. As Christopher Lee says in the documentary this is the best movie he has ever made and he was not paid a single cent for it. So Cage stick to your usual trash movies you make and leave the Wicker man alone.

Rating:
Summary: A compelling and original film
Review: Ah, yes the Wicker Man. This cult classic from 1973 is one of the UK's more compelling, and original, films. The plot is simple: Sgt. Neil Howie is a devout Christian and priggish policeman who travels to a remote Scottish island in search of a missing girl, only to find himself the lone Christian on an island were the "old gods" - the ancient Celtic deities - have been reinstated. Set during May Day festivities, the film pits the increasingly shocked "Christian copper" against the unflappable residents of Sumerisle - who insist on obstructing his investigation and living as if four-thousand years of monotheism were but a distant memory. The fact is, The Wicker Man is less a horror film than a thrilling religious commentary. The performances are outstanding, especially Lee and Woodward. Robin Hardy's direction is really evocative -- it's a fascinating brew of horror and eroticism. It's also a film that refused to die. The original negative was accidentally discarded and the film was subsequently dumped onto the bottom half of a double bill for its U.S. release. But critical acclaim and efforts of Christopher Lee saved the film. In the years since, it's influence has been subtle, but definite.

Rating:
Summary: A Different Kind of Horror
Review: THE WICKER MAN is not the type of horror film that relies on mad scientists, gore, maniacs wielding sharp objects, or the supernatural to generate chills. In fact, up until the climactic scene, it actually reads sort of like a literate and engaging murder mystery. But, oh, that final unsettling scene-definitely a must-see emotional shocker!

The story centers on Sergeant Howie, an ultraconservative Christian police officer whose every move is seemingly thwarted by tightlipped and xenophobic locals during his investigation of the disappearance of a young girl on a remote Scottish island. Lord Summerisle, governor of the geographically sequestered community, and his citizenry openly practice an ancient and arcane Celtic fertility religion, and they are more interested in their lewd pagan rituals and bawdy celebratory activities than in assisting the mainland's constabulary with the investigation of a purported crime. Though quite nonplussed by the ubiquitous nonchalance he faces regarding the missing child, Howie is equally appalled by the public licentious revelry. He convinces himself that the missing girl has come to some sort of harm as a result of the community's religious depravity, and he is relentless in his efforts to prove it. However, things are not quite as they seem, and Howie learns too late that he, the hunter, has actually become the hunted.

The acting in THE WICKER MAN is first rate. Genre actor Christopher Lee, probably best known for his various roles in the horror films of Hammer studios, is over the top as the pagan Lord Summerisle. Many critics have said its his best role, and he has been quoted as saying it is one of his personal favorites. Edward Woodward, later to gain fame on TV's THE EQUALIZER, delivers an affecting performance as Sergeant Howie. He leaves no doubt about the police officer's indignation towards the pagan practices. And Britt Ekland's performance is the stuff of legend. Not only is she quite believable as the inn keeper's comely and popular daughter, but her nude scene is highly erotic without being gratuitous and without detracting in the least the from the film's narrative flow.

Fans of the horror genre may feel that this film is thematically reminiscent of that masterpiece of 1960s horror, ROSEMARY'S BABY. True, both films do build their crescendo of chills and horror out of the presuppositions and superstitions of Western Judeo-Christian culture. In a subtle way, though, THE WICKER MAN is actually more psychologically frightening. The Satanists in ROSEMARY'S BABY are relatively inconspicuous citizens of New York City who are discreet about their unusual religious activities, and this being the case, it is always implied that there is only so much evil they can get away with without getting caught or being exposed. In other words, there is a limit to the danger and horrors that the protagonist, Rosemary, will face. However, there is no such implied limit in THE WICKER MAN. The protagonist, Sergeant Howie, is the social outsider here, a lone police officer on an isolated island of Celtic pagans, and there is no real legal or social threat to compel the islands inhabitants to assuage their seemingly capricious and Godless folkways. Furthermore, ancient pagan practices are a great matter of debate in Western Christian culture, so what, if any, danger Sergeant Howie faces is really an unknown. This creates a chilling atmosphere that, right up until the unnerving climactic scene, keeps the audience feeling much more apprehensive and uneasy than at any time in ROSEMARY'S BABY.

The two-disc limited-edition set recently released by Anchor Bay contains two versions of this movie, one the U.S. theatrical release and the other an extended version. (The theatrical version can be purchased separately, but the extended version is only available in this limited-edition set.) Anchor Bay reports that the extended version, though still purportedly missing two minutes of the original film, is as close to reflecting the intent of the original filmmakers as can be achieved with currently known and available material. (Some of this material is apparently tape rather than film, so there are a few short spots in the extended version where there is a noticeable shift in quality.) This is easy to believe, as the extended version of the film is not only longer, it is also cut and edited in a different manner and, consequently, offers a much more logical narrative flow. The theatrical release is still a fine movie-it also has a stereo soundtrack, which the extended does not-and adequately delivers the central gist of the narrative, but since the extended version is artistically and narratively superior, it is well worth the additional cost to purchase the two-disc set.

Rating:
Summary: What an odd movie...but it's really, really good
Review: I bought The Wicker Man DVD the other day and watched it for the first time. I had no idea what this movie was about. I'd only heard of the title as that of an Iron Maiden song (from their most recent CD Brave New World).

I knew Christopher Lee from watching many late-night horror movies. I knew Edward Woodward from various movies and TV shows. And the reviewer blurbs made the movie sound like a "Must-See."

So I saw it.

Wow, is this movie odd. But it's extremely captivating and engrossing. I agree with a previous reviewer: it's like watching Green Acres. Totally mind-bending and strange, with the only sane character the lead role.

I also agree with previous reviewers in that I don't classify this as a horror movie. It's an excellent movie about Christianity (the Edward Woodward character) vs. Paganism (lead by Christopher Lee's character). This is also, on another level, a very good representation of what would happen if the world lost its Judeo-Christian heritage and reverted to some sort of Paganism. For that reason, alone, I was scared out of my wits.

The Edward Woodward character remains faithful to his Christian beliefs right through to the end (which is chilling). For that, I want to thank the screenwriter and director. It was nice to see a Christian not fall apart and act goofy when push comes to shove.

The behind-the-scenes ("making of") bonus material is wonderful to watch. Both Christopher Lee and Edward Woodward appear on screen to give their recollections of the movie, as does the director and screenwriter. I love behind-the-scenes stories, and this one really shows how much everyone believed in the movie (they were filming in November and December, freezing their butts off!).

I recommend this odd, quirky movie. Not only to watch superb performances (especially by Woodward) and interesting scenery, but also to see what would happen if Paganism/Satanism were to have free reign in the world. That, alone, is worth the price of admission!

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding DVD, but not quite definitive
Review: Despite typically herculean efforts by distributor Anchor Bay, the search for a truly definitive version of "The Wicker Man" (1973) goes on. First-time director Robin Hardy and acclaimed writer Anthony Shaffer (twin brother of Peter, and author of "Frenzy" and "Sleuth" [both 1972], the latter based on his stageplay) attempted to revise the horror genre with this cult favorite concerning a deeply religious police sergeant (Edward Woodward, in a note-perfect performance) whose search for an apparently missing schoolgirl on a remote Scottish island exposes a Pagan society rooted in old superstitions and the worship of vengeful gods. To the accompaniment of a haunting score by Paul Giovanni, comprising variations on traditional songs and folk music, "The Wicker Man" depicts an isolated community at odds with the world at large, steeped in ancient beliefs and ruled with deceptive benevolence by a patriarchal figure (Christopher Lee, in unusually subtle form) whom the script suggests is a monstrous con man, maintaining the island's customs not through genuine convictions, but because the islanders - all of them true disciples of the cause - simply know no other way.

The central mystery (Woodward's search for the missing girl) is genuinely engrossing, and the bawdy songs which greet the sergeant's arrival are soon replaced by an earthy sensuality as the true extent of the islanders' belief in regenerative powers - divorced from traditional notions of 'morality' - become apparent. Lee's assessment of God verges on blasphemy ("He had His chance and...blew it!"), but ultimately, neither Christianity or Paganism emerges with any dignity from the devastating finale. There's real magic in every frame of this extraordinary film, though it's clearly not for everyone: If you don't 'get it' within the first ten minutes, then the careful pace and deliberate absence of familiar horror motifs may seem a little long-winded, even dull. Everyone else, however, will be enchanted by this unique, one-of-a-kind movie.

The filmmakers themselves have roundly condemned the shorter 'theatrical version' (87m 31s) which Anchor Bay has made available either as a stand-alone DVD or as part of a two-disc box-set. However, most viewers were first introduced to this film via the shorter print, simply because it was the only available version for many years, and despite the makers' protestations to the contrary, it's still a remarkable experience. Harry Waxman's frequently hand-held photography of oddly beautiful Scottish locations is perfectly preserved in this anamorphic (1.85:1) print, and there's an extremely modest 5.1 soundtrack which adds resonance to Giovanni's vivid musical numbers but doesn't attempt to broaden the soundstage any further than necessary. A two-channel surround mix is also provided, but Anchor Bay has neglected to include the theatrical mono track, which is unacceptable. Multi-channel Dolby/DTS is always welcome, but NEVER at the expense of the original audio format...

Disappointingly, the filmmakers' preferred print (99m 34s) is only available via the box-set, and is comprised of footage from the theatrical print combined with material from 1" analog tape - the only surviving elements, apparently - so the 'extra' material becomes readily apparent whenever the visual quality deteriorates. This print is also anamorphic and forsakes 5.1 surround for the original two-channel mono soundtrack (hooray!), and the added footage - which underlines the script's major themes and streamlines the narrative - will be a revelation to anyone who's only ever seen the theatrical print or the 95m version recently unearthed by the BBC. There are a few bits and pieces in the theatrical version which are exclusive to that print, and Woodward's encounter with the doctor in the longer version (at 39:30) opens a little too abruptly, indicating an apparent loss of footage (the 'original' running time has always been quoted as 102m, slightly longer than this particular print). However, neither one of Anchor Bay's versions includes the animated image of the sun-god which appeared after the closing credits in the BBC print, filling the screen before shooting backwards into darkness. The loss of this brief, iconic fragment is inexplicable.

Closed captions are provided in this region-free presentation, and there's an excellent documentary included in the package, featuring interviews with all the principal contributors and - best of all - providing treasured glimpses of the film's primary locations as they appear today. Oddly enough, there's no audio commentary, which is both strange and unexpected. You would have thought that Christopher Lee (at least!) would have been more than willing to share his thoughts for the DVD release, though I suspect this was due more to scheduling conflicts than lack of interest. Otherwise, this is an important restoration, and highly recommended to fans and novices alike. Anchor Bay may not have totally satisfied the nit-pickers amongst us, but they've done a sterling job with the materials at hand.

Rating:
Summary: A true rarity in Horror/Suspense films...
Review: Long on plot and characters, short on gore and shock tactics. This is like a finely crafted novella, and executed almost flawlessly. My only complaint is the almost cheesy music-video-like scene of the inn-keepers daughter tempting the doomed officer. The ending is superb. I can't recommend this film enough. Ignore the 87 vs 100 min debate, even the short version is good.