The Wicker Man (1975)

Typically categorized as a horror film, The Wicker Man is actually a serious and literate thriller about modern paganism, written by Anthony Shaffer (Sleuth) with a deft combination of cool subjectivity and escalating dread. (Despite this promising directorial debut, British filmmaker Robin Hardy didn't make another film until The Fantasist, a little-seen thriller released in 1986.) We're introduced to the friendly but mysterious residents of Summerisle (located off the west coast of Scotland), where the isolated community enacts rituals that seem, at first, to be merely unconventional. When called in to investigate an anonymous tip about a missing child, mainland police sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) is treated as an outsider, and the ominous Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee) has the inside advantage. As the repressed policeman is taunted by the island's sensuous atmosphere, his investigation leads to increasingly disturbing implications.

With phallic symbols and soothing music at every turn, Summerisle is a pleasant haven for those who perform the pagan rituals of Lord Summerisle's maverick ancestors. These earthy ceremonies are presented with alluring authenticity, and the island's tempting eroticism is fully expressed by the landlord's daughter (Britt Ekland), who fills Howie with barely suppressed carnal desire. (Sirens took a comedic approach to a similar situation in 1994.) And yet the mystery of the missing girl remains, with clues that hint at a darker reality beneath the colorful local customs. When that reality is ultimately discovered, Howie becomes the crucial element in the islanders' most elaborate ritual, which is where the film's title comes into play. It may not be horror, but it is horrific, and this makes The Wicker Man an unforgettable film. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

The Wickerman

I do not own the movie and will not own it. I saw the movie in the theater. Even though it is based on a true ritual it was still a very bizzare movie. If the reviews could give minus stars then I would give it a negative 1. I just don't think it is worth buying and definately was not worth seeing to begin with. I think Nicholas Cage could have made better time of doing another movie and not wasting his acting experience. November 3, 2008

Following Alice down the March Hare's hole

An uptight, deeply devoted Christian police officer arrives to investigate the disapperance of a young girl, and get's caught up in a world of pagan ritual. That more or less sums up the plot, but to call this movie horror is a little off base. I think it's better described as a dark fantasy, though it certainly draws upon the horror genre, as well as a great deal of very primal imagery from pagan history. The end product is a bit surreal and a little creepy, though I find on repeated viewings it really starts to be more fun. Once you're in on the joke, so to speak, you gladly follow the fool on his journey.
Christopher Lee is darkly charming in the lead role, Brit Eckland is certainly not harsh on the eyes, (Sorry if I got the spelling wrong on her name), and Edward Woodward is wonderfully strict and pig-headed (no that's not a cop crack) in his attempts to solve the mystery.
This movie has become a must-see for me every Halloween. There's something quite unique about it that's very difficult to describe and it really doesn't compare to any other film that comes to mind. It sort of feels like Alice in Wonderland with pagan orgies, ritual sacrifices, and folk music.

November 2, 2008

Yikes!

First let me say that my seller was AWSOME. The price was great and the shipping was quick! My seller is not responsible for how AWFUL this movie actually is. I have read so many things on the internet stating that this movie is a cult classic and how great it is and scary and awsome. This movie was actually WORSE than the remake...how can ANYTHING be worse than an over acted Nicholas Cage movie??? I didn't think it was possible, but this movie made it happen. Save your money, and your time! Don't watch it! October 30, 2008

Classic film in every sense of the word.

The Wicker Man is easily one of my favorite horror/thriller films of all time. There really is nothing else like it. It is truly one of the most original, atmospheric, and creepy films of all time.

After a detective is sent to investigate a murder on a small island, what seems to be a normal investigation turns into a surreal nightmare. The more digging he does, the more he is subjected to the strange beliefs and views of the Pagan lifestyle.
The pagan imagery, beliefs and rituals are very accurate, as the maker of the film spent much time studying and understanding the Pagan views.

One of my favorite things about this film is it's score. There is a lot of music in it and it actually borders on being a musical, which in my opinion is not usually a good thing, but it works so well in this film setting the mood and understanding the Pagan culture I wouldn't have it any other way.

But the thing I really love about this film is the message, and how it pokes at the inaccuracies of the Christian faith. The final scene with the Christian detective praying for his life and his prayers going unanswered is extremely powerful.

Overall I cannot recommend this film enough and any horror/film buff owes it to themselves to check this out.

Note: Stay away from the remake! October 28, 2008

Not the most frightening, but very mesmerizing

I went into the movie not knowing what to expect. I was familiar with the movie's storyline (having seen a clip on a top 100 show), but the majority of the film seemed strange. That pretty much sums up my viewing experience of the film.

The story surrounds a young sargeant, Howie, who travels to a remote village in order to investigate the dissapearance (and possible murder) of a young girl. Once there he discovers that the villagers are heavily into pagan ways. Saying anything more about the plot would ruin many of the film's suspenseful moments & surprises.

Overall, I was entertained by the film. The music in the film was absolutely gorgeous, and brought much of the film to life. There were many parts however, where the story seemed to lag & drag. I would give this film a total score of 3.5 on a scale of 1-5. It's definately a "must watch" for any fan of horror, but not entirely a "must have" for collection owners until they've watched it once. October 17, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...