The Wicker Man

Rating:
Summary: "A British chiller masterpiece"
Review: This is without doubt a superb piece of filmaking that sees my favourite actor the great Christopher Lee in one of his best roles and his favourite role as the pagan Lord Summerisle. Edward Woodward is superb as the upright Christian copper sent to the remote Scottish island of Summerisle to investigate the strange dissapearance of a young girl!! A task not helped by the fact that most of the islanders refuse to admit she even excisted including the girls own mother. Woodward plays Sergeant Neil Howie who soon discovers an island rife with pagan rituals and sacrifice instigated by Lee as the Lord of the island. But as mayday arrives Howie finds himself stranded on the island and the terrible truth becomes apparent as he discovers he is their sacrifice. He is then burned alive in a huge "wicker man" as Lord summerisle and the islanders dance and sing below. This is a cult classic with songs and rhymes by Paul Giovanni that are very seventies in sound but you cant help but like them! Britt ekland and Ingrid Pitt provide the nudity! This is a unique film in every way. Nothing like this has ever been made since if you like your horror films different then this is for you.

Rating:
Summary: BEWARE
Review: This movie is horrible. Don't be fooled by the few people who say us "wicker Man haters" are narrow minded. I admit that it was very unconventional. I love things that don't go by the book. However, you could make a movie unconventional by ending it halfway through the story and it still wouldn't make it good.

Rating:
Summary: THIS IS BY FAR MY LEAST FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME
Review: What can I say? This movie is worse than Lepraucan 4. Need I say more

Rating:
Summary: THE forgotten classic
Review: There are films, and there is the Wicker Man. I'm a bit surprised it ever got made, but i'm so glad it did. You can't describe to the uninitiated just how memorable it is. i saw it last year- and it is still vivid. My mother saw it when it was released and she too remembers it like it was yesterday. You Americans are schmucks to ignore it. If it makes you happy, go and watch some more Will Smith.

Rating:
Summary: Not what I expected...better!
Review: I rented the 84 min. version (the only version currently available) and was impressed with the story. However, after finding a web site that described the 107 min version, I was upset. The 84 min. version is fine, though doesn't make much sense...the 107 min. version clears things up. All in all, a good movie.

Rating:
Summary: How do I get the 107min(ish) version ? (UK Based)
Review: We have seen the 84Min version and the 94min(?) version many years ago on the BBC. How do we get the full version on video ? This is an excellent film with many brilliant locations (which we have visited!!!!!) Amazing!! Weird!!

Rating:
Summary: Suspenseful, erotic, dramatic, intriguing...
Review: One of my co-workers recommended this during a discussion of "cult" thrillers a little more than ten years ago, so I rented a copy at my neighborhood vid shop. I have subsequently found the title listed in "horror," "sci-fi," and "fantasy" classifications, but as far as I am concerned, this is one of THE MOST SUSPENSEFUL films I have ever seen. Eeriness abounds from the moment the inspector's plane alights on the water. Charged with eros and intrigue, the plot draws you along, suggesting that something is quite amiss, though not revealing what until the flow of events has traversed beyond the point of return. There are many contrasts along the way, as when the policeman erects a crude crucifix to "re-sanctify" (or desecrate?) the church as it lay in ruin, as if reclaimed by its pagan origins. Or when this constable confers with the Lord of Summerisle regarding his astonishment at what he has witnessed during his mission, including the naked adolescents leaping through the flames as they dance to ensure their fertility (and Lord Summerisle's inquisitive response: how can this belief be any more absurd than a Virgin Mother, impregnated by an invisible being, bearing a son who is ultimately put to death, resurrected, and disappears with the promise of returning to save the world?) While it is true that the production was executed with a conservative budget, and that this is noticeable in the final product, it is also important to remember that current state-of-the-art technology far surpasses what was available in 1973. And YES, THERE IS A RADICAL DIFFERENCE between the original 103 minute version that I first saw, and the 80-some minute abomination that currently predominates the market (as much of a difference as exists between chateaubriand and hamburger!). Bon apetit!

Rating:
Summary: one of the most powerful and misunderstood movies so far
Review: The movie does a good job highlighting the different philosophies behind the "Old ways" (paganism) and Christianity. The movie also turns the mirror on Christianity a faith that has burned more than one 'witch'. "Wicker Man" can be disturbing to those who may not understand Paganism and fundamentalists. The full length version is the way to go. If you can find it. This movie needs to be made more available to the public!!!!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Watch with caution
Review: I recently watched this movie as part of a celtic studies class in college. As not everyone in our class is pagan, it offened many students. I was pleased by the first 20 min. of the film... but it lacked real focus and decent acting. But the last scene redemeded the film.

Rating:
Summary: fantastic!
Review: Too bad some folks feel like they have to trash this film. I actually suspect narrow minds at work. This is a great film, ahead of its time, and fair in terms of the beliefs it depicts. My only negative comment about the film is that it portrays pagans as conducting human sacrifice in contemporary times, something that is not done these days. The sound track is great, beautiful folk/Celtic music. I hope they make the soundtrack available in the US, if anyone is listening. Buy this video, enjoy it and play it at least every Halloween.