... The "Wicker Man" is a film I picked up cheeply and had never got round to viewing. I would not normally watch what is considered a horror film on my own, but I did and was surprised I hadn't seen this "gem" before now.
**The Basic Plot**
Sargaent Howie, played by (Edward Woodward) ... Read review
Since its release in 1973, The Wicker Man has held an enduring fascination for audiences, ... more
commanding a devotion that most films can only dream of. A unique and bona fide horror masterpiece, the film can now be seen in its original theatrical version.Wh...
When a young girl mysteriously disappears Police Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) travels ... more
to a remote island to investigate. But this pastoral community led by the strange Lord Summerisle (a brilliant performance by the legendary Christopher Lee) is...
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Extraordinarily literate and thoroughly compelling, The Wicker Man has often been called ... more
the Citizen Kane of horror movies. Writer Anthony Shaffer and director Robin Hardy built their contemporary (1973) English murder mystery/thriller upon gothic Druid underpinnings and wisely gave songwriter/composer Paul Giovanni (whose first and only film score this is) the freedom to create music of a piece. The score remains one of the most unusual in the entire genre: a collection of original, well-researched folk songs and instrumental underscore that evoke a rare, eerily discomfiting sense of displaced time and place; 70s folk-pop informed by ancient forces of nature and superstition. Long a holy grail among soundtrack aficionados, this lavishly packaged/annotated release has been prepared from recently discovered master tapes with a clarity and presence that gives the late Giovanni's haunting music the gratifying showcase it's so long deserved. --Jerry McCulley
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A novelization of the Anthony Shaffer script this is a tale of a Highlands policeman on ... more
the trail of a missing girl being lured to the remote Scottish island of Summerisle. As May Day approaches shamanistic and erotic events erupt around him. Was the girl a human sacrifice?
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In this director's cut of the atmospheric adaptation of the 70s cult horror classic. ... more
Nicolas Cage (lord of wars) stars as Detective Edward Malus. A troubled man in search of the missing daughter of an old friend on the mysterious island of summersisle.The seemingly idyllic island off the mainland is home to a private community who lead a traditional pastoral life under the watchful eye of Matriarch sister Summersisle (Ellen Burstyn - The Exorcist). As Malus's quest for information pits him against the mistrusting locals and their baffling ancient traditions. He becomes immersed in an ever more perplexing mystery. Amidst claims that the girl never even existed. As his search for the truth reaches its horrifying climax. Malus discovers the sickening truth behind the community's belief system and is drawn inexorably nearer to the place where evil awaits.
Advantages: No Hollywood nonsense... Disadvantages: Can leave you disturbed
...myself watching many films in the wee small hours. The "Wicker Man" is a film I picked up cheeply and had never got round to viewing. I would not normally watch what is considered a horror film on my own, but I did and was surprised I hadn't seen this "gem" before now.
**The Basic Plot**
Sargaent Howie, played by (Edward Woodward) is called from the Scottish Mainland to investigate the disappearance ... ...so comes into contact with the islanders as they prepare for the May Day Festival. Their blatant disregard for christianity is amplified by the ruined Christian Churches and graveyards and what he sees as their hedonistic sexual practices and worship of the Phallic Symbol.
On investigation Howie starts to believe the young girl is not dead but being saved for sacrafice on May Day. His suspicions are aroused when he meets Lord SummerIsle ... more
I have been having quite a few sleepless nights lately and have found myself watching many films in the wee small hours. The "Wicker Man" is a film I picked up cheeply and had never got round to viewing. I would not normally watch what is considered a horror film on my own, but I did and was surprised I hadn't seen this "gem" before now.
**The Basic Plot**
Sargaent Howie, played by (Edward Woodward) is called from the Scottish Mainland to investigate the disappearance of "Rowan Morrison"" a teenage girl on a mysterious Scottish Island.
On arrival Howie a staunch Christian is met by a community steeped in Pagan Tradition and ritual. His investigations are met by denial that Rowan even exists. Howie is determined to discover her wherabouts and in doing so comes into contact with the islanders as they prepare for the May Day Festival. Their blatant disregard for christianity is amplified by the ruined Christian Churches and graveyards and what he sees as their hedonistic sexual practices and worship of the Phallic Symbol.
On investigation Howie starts to believe the young girl is not dead but being saved for sacrafice on May Day. His suspicions are aroused when he meets Lord SummerIsle (Christopher lee) and discovers that the Island , famous for its abundant produce of fruit has been in decline. Lord SummerIsle openely admits that the Islanders are Pagans, and hints that the May Day Festival will be something to behold.
Sergaent Howie is determined to return to the mainland to gain help to investigate and on the May Day morning is unable to escape the Island due to someone tampering with his plane. He disguises himself as the charachter "Punch" regarded as the "Fool" and follows the parade to find and save the young girl. What follows is the Climactic end to his quest, in a piece of film which has the viewer entranced and horified at the same time.
Will Howie save the young girl, or wil playing the role of the "fool" come back to haunt him?
**My Opinion**
I didn't expect much from this movie, but I have to say it seduced me right from the start. The imagery and inuendo were quite blatant and the Pagan Rituals were overtly sexual. The film must have caused all manner of controversy on its release as it goes against Christian values and is not ashamed to do so!! Sergaent Howie is played by "Woodward" with great believability and Lord SummerIsle is played with aplomb by the mesmerising Christopher Lee.
This movie is not big budget Hollywood, but it's simplicity is key to the believability and success of the film. I was left feeling both envigorated by the plot and the sexuality of the film seduces you and the Climactic ending leaves you both enthralled and deeply disturbed......
** A Stellar Cast**
Edward Woodward....(Sergaent Howie) Christopher Lee........ (Lord SummerIsle) Diane Cilento..............(Miss Rose) Britt Eckland.................(Willow)
Director: Robin Hardy Released : December 1973 Running Time :Approx 85mins
This DVD has not extras to speak off.
**Additional Info**
The "Wicker Man" is derived from an Ancient Pagan Ritual and is still enacted thrughout the U.K on May-Day. It's origins are supposed to go back as long ago as the time of Julius Caesar.
The Wicker Man is supposed to represent the Pagan god of the Sun and is responsible for the plentiful harvest. The failure of an abundant harvest is allayed by the sacrfice to the Wicker Man of animalson May Day and in extreme cases Humans would be the sacrafice.
This would have been considered an Honour as the remains would go back into the soil, enriching it and therfore giving it rebirth.......
Advantages: Good build up of suspense, never quite sure what is going to happen next Disadvantages: Some may not like the nudity and dead animals
...a staunch Christian, goes to the remote Hebridean island of Summerisle to follow up on an anonymous claim that a young girl has gone missing, he thinks his investigation will be a straightforward one. He could not be more wrong. None of the islanders claim to know the missing girl, not even her own mother and sister. Yet the behaviour of the islanders, including the laird of Summerisle, suggests that they know more than they are letting on. They ... ...from being Christian. When the Sergeant finally finds the grave of the missing girl, he orders it to be dug up...only to find that there is no body in it, at least not a human one. Thwarted at every turn, Sergeant Howie decides to leave the island and report the case to his superiors. But the villagers have other ideas...
I don't think I had ever heard of The Wicker Man before it was re-made in 2006, starring Nicholas Cage. The premise of the film ...
sunmeilan 28.11.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Wicker Man (DVD)
Advantages: Great Cast and Great Storyline Disadvantages: Can get lost in the film if you don't pay attention
...Disc 1: Theatrical version of The Wicker Man(84 Minutes), The Wicker Man Enigma(35 Minutes) documentary. Theatrical Trailer, TV & Radio spots, Talent Biographies, Christopher Lee Interview (25 Minutes), CD ROM Special Feature, Original Theatrical press brochure for The Wicker Man.
Disc 2: The Wickerman - Directors Cut, Feature length commentary with Christiopher Lee, Edward Woodward, Director Robin Hardy & Moderated by Mark Kermode.
General Storyline:
... ...Scotland to investigate the mysterious disapperance of a young girl. But one stepping foot on the small remote island, "Howie" feels a strange ora about the place, everything is not as it seems. Howies investigation into the disapearance of the girl leads him into the dark and shadowy wold of paganism, blashpehmy. Everyone on the island seems to deny the exsistance of this young girl, but yet the call to Howie was made from the island. What Secret ...
jaygami1986 23.08.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Wicker Man (DVD)
Advantages: Wanton lust and Pagan blasphemy Disadvantages: Really really boring
...This community is led by the strange Lord Summerisle (fantastically played by the great Christopher Lee), is not as it seems as the devout Christian detective soon uncovers a secret society of wanton lust and Pagan blasphemy. Can Howie now stop the cult's ultimate sacrifice before he himself comese face-to-face with the Wicker Man?
This film has a lot of religious imagery which may be quite offensive to religious people as it shows a disturbing, ... ...recently directed Christopher Lee in the 2006 horror "Cowboys for Christ", does a good job of making a film that's really not a horror as terrifying through the religious imagery as he possible can.
Starring...
Edward Woodward - Croydon - was famous for playing Robert McCall in the Equaliser from 1985-1989. Plays the religious copper to a believable standard, until he starts preaching before the Wicker Man.
Christopher Lee - London - most recently ...
iateamonkey 13.11.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Wicker Man (DVD)
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Advantages: You can say you've seen it Disadvantages: Not a 10th of the charm the original has
I?m a big fan of the 72/73 version of The WickerMan; so much so I have every release of the movie on DVD or Video in the UK since year dot! As well as some great releases from other countries. Like many people the prospect of a remake starring Nicholas Cage left a great big pile of sick in my mouth. But like pretty much anyone I was drawn to watch the movie to see if my idea?s met with the reality of the movie.
Let?s kick off with the cast as well as Nicholas Cage we also have Exorcist star Ellen Burstyn as not Lord Summerisle (as was the original) but Sister Summerisle. Molly Parker stars as Sister Rose/Sister Thorn, and is possibly one of the more menacing characters of the movie. The final worthwhile mention is Leelee Sobieski as Sister Honey, possibly the creepiest I have seen this actress since her career began some 15 years ago ...
Advantages: I am glad I've seen it Disadvantages: I felt let down by all but the ending - which in itself is rather unpleasant
not indefinable!) and, like me, you may be intrigued by the ending, and the only way to find out what happens is to see the film, as I am not going to tell you! The title of the film also intrigued me, and similarly, the only way to find out its significance is to watch the film.
There are currently two versions of the WickerMan available on DVD on Amazon. Both are special editions: the Classic Collection, priced at £36.89, and the Director?s Cut at £19.99. Both are 2-disc sets. I could definitely not justify paying either of these prices for the film, and can only assume that its cult status has led to the inflated price tags. As well as the film itself, two documentaries have been made exploring the film and its cult following: ?The WickerMan Enigma?, and ?Burnt Offering ? The Cult of the WickerMan?. The latter was recently ...
Advantages: An amazing re-release of a classic Disadvantages: None
Oh what a wonderful day; after a stressful day at work I returned home to discover a small suspect parcel on my doorstep. I opened the package to get the biggest thrill of the month; inside my package was the new WickerMan 3 Disc Collectors Edition DVD, something I never even knew was due for release.
The case is beautiful, a lovely shiny colour with an image from the movie emblazoned on the cover. The case is a high quality plastic/cardboard design. Inside the box is not one but three discs. Disc 1 features the original theatrical release from 1974; with the original trailer. Disc 2 has the restored version or directors cut from the 2001 release, also contained an audio commentary from Christoper Lee, Edward Woodwood, and Robin Hardy. Also on Disc 2 is a documentary "The WickerMan Phenomenon" with a 30 minute runtime and The Cult ...
It's a bleak, peculiar chiller -- erotic, eccentric and still shocking (Total Film, 06/09/2006)
DVD Description
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.
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