The Wicker Man (Two-Disc Special Edition)
by Robin Hardy
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DVD details
Actor: Britt Ekland, Christopher Lee, Diane Cilento, Edward Woodward, Ingrid PittDirector: Robin Hardy
Brand: Anchor
Cinematographer: Harry Waxman
Editor: Eric Boyd-Perkins
Producer: Peter Snell
Writer: Anthony Shaffer
Writer: David Pinner
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Format: Collector's Edition, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Special Edition, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 88 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-12-19
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
DVD Reviews of The Wicker Man (Two-Disc Special Edition)
DVD Review: The Wicker Man- creepy!
Summary: 4 Stars
This film is a reflection of it's era, the 70's being as they were. There is nudity and lewdness in a quaint Scottish village, and the plot builds deliciously to a shocking climax. Good music, too.DVD Review: "CITIZEN KANE" OF HORROR THRILLERS
Summary: 5 Stars
"WICKERMAN" (1973)
The "Citizen Kane" of horror films. Edward Woodward is upstanding, decent Police Sergeant Neil Howie, an English outsider who flies in to investigate the disappearance of a 12 year old girl on Summerisle off the West coast of Scotland. His world is slowly turned upside down as he plunges ever deeper into the primitive, nature worshipping community only to discover the missing girl is the bait and he is the prey. A paranoid, occult thriller featuring Chrisopher Lee as Lord Summerisle and an au naturelle Britt Ekland. Directed by Robin Hardy from a masterful screenplay by Anthony Schaffer.
It is highly ironic that local churches offer "Harvest Festivals" in lieu of more disturbing Halloween parties for their youth, when in fact it was the pagan harvest rites that often included blood sacrifices! (R, widescreen, 104 minutes,)
DVD Review: A Devastating View of Neo-Paganism
Summary: 3 Stars
I don't believe the makers of this film intended it to, but The Wickerman presents a horrific view of Paganism, and Neo-Paganism in particular.
The plot is simple: The scene is an isolated Scotland on an island fairly far off from the coastline. A religiously conservative detective (Edward Woodward) is sent to investigate an annoymous tip that a young girl has disappeared from the island. He finds himself in a small community that practices Paganism from birth to death (they don't call it "death.") It is even taught in the classroom, to the exclusion of all other religions. There are signs & symbols of "The Craft" everywhere. The community is lead by the Lord of the Manor, and played by veteran horror film actor, Christopher Lee. The detective soon uncovers a sinister plot & finds himself its target.
The music is interesting with many songs related to various Wiccan practices. It enhances the illusion that traditional Paganism was all joy & light, fun & frolic. One of the more messmerizing scenes involves a beautiful, naked young female devotee casting a seductive spell on Woodward. It is very erotic & convincing.
There are many artistic examples of Pagan symbolsism & practives (the Maypole is great.) My favorite scene is the one where Christopher Lee is leading a procession dressed like The Goddess. All Christopher Lee fans (I'm one) gotta see this!
I say the film presents a negative view, because it shows a certain callous insensitivity to animals in general--and the detective in particular. It also illustrates just how insular a community can become when it follows one religion at the expense of others. The Children of Innocence & Light are revealed to be much closer to cruelty & darkness.
Nonetheless, I really reccomend this movie to all people interested in history, religion, sociology, and occultism.
Children of the Corn [Blu-ray]
Haxan (Witchcraft Through the Ages) - Criterion Collection
Rosemary's Baby
DVD Review: Basket Case is an Acquired Taste!
Summary: 4 Stars
There are several ways to approach this creative, somewhat shocking film. The photography and folk music in the beginning of the film, with the gorgeous Scottish countryside as the police investigator (Ed Woodward) is flying towards Summerisle and to an adventure that not only will shock and surprise him, but challenge him to the core of his being. At first blush, looked like one of those trippy hippie films. Not.
But a musical? There are several songs sung that reflect the sexual worship, Wiccan principles and the general ignorance of Christianity, something our police officer hero cannot abide, and at times loses it. The landlord's daughter is almost a cliche. You know the story of the salesman who sees the farmer's daughter, blah blah (you've heard the jokes). Well, Brit Ekland (and her body double, but why??) sings a few songs out herself, although the editing left much to be desired, the lip synch didn't work for me. The suppressed carnal desire of our "virgin man" was amazing and humorous in many ways.
The Wicker Man is used in human sacrifices -- animals and even people are shoved into the giant Wicker statue and burned alive to appease the gods of the Sun and harvest. No spoilers here, but our Scottish Christian is in for some dangerous times in his quest for the missing girl. At first the natives deny Rowan Morrison's existence, then say she died and then finally she does appear -- in a most unusual and horrific way for our policeman.
A hard film to categorize, which is what makes it fascinating: It has horror elements, insanity, religious connotations, the realization that not all of Britain fell to the Christian influences, that the old gods still influence, that it's a musical, that it has some gratiutous nudity without being tasteless, etc.
Yes, it is dated in many ways, but I suggest the viewer see this with an open mind and enjoy the show. You just might realize how reason and common sense don't always work when appeasing the gods.
The film has quite a backstory too, which is why you should pick up the two disc version. Also there's a British and a shorter American version. Roger Corman helped distribute the film in the USA and Christopher Lee, who considers Wicker Man his best work, did the film for free! More tidbits abound, you gotta check this out.
DVD Review: Great Soundtrack and a haunting ending!
Summary: 3 Stars
First- watch the extended version even though the added scenes werent remastered and are poor picture quality. Here it goes- the Wicker Man is a well-thought out and finely cast picture that falls between horror and psychological mystery. Christopher Lee is great as is the actor portraying Howie, the policeman who's curiosity eventually leads him to a horror he couldnt have imagined even though i saw it coming. A big plus must be given to the soundtrack which is one of the best youll ever hear(a mix of celtic folk and eerie instrumentals) costumes and the plot but where the film falls short in my eye is the lack of background on the islands pagan rituals- it briefly explained but not enough to back the story. Sensuality and simplicity transforms into lunacy and murder without any realistic reasoning. Its very vague and also the prochristian counter message of the lead is a bit annoying. Wicker Man is a good Sunday movie - slow but keeps you interested and though i feel its worth seeing , it is by no means the classic its been made out to be. Rent it or get it cheap( i found mine at a garage sale for 4$ ). As a bonus theres some great camera shots- some shapely nude women and nice scenery. On a grading scale id give this a B- and it is a step above the recent remake starring Nicholas Cage.
Description of The Wicker Man (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Special 2 - Disc Collectors edition of the Original movie filmed in 1973. Released to coincide with the release of the 2006 Wicker Man starring Nicholas Cage. Features:Extended version with 11 minutes of additional footage
Theatrical Version
Brand new audio commentary with director Robin Hardy, actors Christopher
Liee and Edward Woodward and moderator Mark Kermonde
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
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