review

THE WICKER MAN

The Wicker Man is quite possibly the best horror film to ever come out of Great Britain. I know that some may find this to be a contentious statement, but I feel that all of the elements that make a great horror film are blended together in this movie to form a horror masterpiece.


Howie awakes to quite the shock

Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) is a God fearing policeman that despises those who don't follow the Lord's scriptures, and dislikes those who don't live their lives according to his particular set of morals. An anonymous source from Summerisle, a nearby island, sends him a mysterious note describing the case of a missing girl whose disappearance doesn't seem to affect the local population. Spurred into action, he flies there to search for her. While on the island he is faced with uncooperative locals and their seemingly strange Pagan customs, which makes him slowly realize that things might not quite be what they seem.


This movie is proof that a filmmaker does not need to use an endless amount of gore, or gratuitous nude scenes to make an effective horror film. In fact the only gore used in it is a split lip, a dead bunny, and a severed hand. If that is not enough blood and guts for you then I'm afraid you are out of luck. The nude scenes that are included actually forward the plot and don't seem out of place.


The story itself is very engrossing, and even though I have personally seen this film a countless number of times I never tire of watching Howie stumble in disbelief and horror around Summerisle. The character is a self righteous pig, and his attitude towards others who are different from him makes him quite an unlikable guy on several different levels. He feels that his religion is the only way, and that the Pagan islanders are going to rot in hell. In my opinion it is his close mindedness and attitude that doom him. He doesn't deserve what happens to him, but he is the person who put himself in that position.


Christopher Lee in his favorite performance

One of my favorite aspects to this movie is the Christian vs. Pagan dichotomy that runs through the whole plot. On one side you have a bigot who treats others rudely and yet professes to be a Christian, and on the other side you have a group of Pagans who are just living their lives and not harming anybody. Unlike other films of the era, and of even more recent times, Pagans are depicted in a very positive light. It's refreshing to see them not being betrayed as devil worshippers, or as ignorant teens on a power trip. No matter what your religious views may be this portrayal makes for an interesting viewing experience.


This film is written by Anthony Shaffer and he does an excellent job building tension and suspense. I know that some people feel that this movie should be considered a thriller instead of a horror picture, and I would have to disagree with that sentiment. Shaffer uses Howie as the eyes through which we meet and understand the residents of Summerisle. I can feel the panic slowly building up within him; the disbelief that he feels in witnessing Pagan ceremonies and traditions. This is horror, my friends. If I can feel the pain and panic of a character, no matter how despicable their actions or words may be, then the writer has done his job.


Robin Hardy, the director, does the story justice and you can tell by his efforts that he really cares about what direction the film takes. He could have shot the movie differently, and have been less controversial, but that would have spelled disaster for the film. The part of the movie that I think is most interestingly shot, and the most effective, is the last scene. I am not a believer in giving away major plot twists, but it is shocking and very moving at the same time. Everything about it works, and it does the job that it was meant to do; to shock and awe the audience

Howie keeps his appointment with the Wicker Man

The best performance in this film has to be that of Woodward. He really makes Howie come to life, and through his actions and words you can literally feel the hypocrisy of the character oozing from his pores. A part of me thinks that maybe I should feel some sympathy for the character and the situation that he gets himself in, but Woodward's performance pushes those thoughts right out of my mind. Christopher Lee is very likable as Lord Summerisle, and he comes across as a friendly community leader who only wants what is best for the people who live on the island. Lee considers it to be his best role and it is easy to see why. Howie's sexual tormentor, Willow, is played by the lovely Britt Ekland, and interestingly her voice was dubbed for the movie. Ingrid Pitt has a smaller role, and if you watch carefully you will be able to spot a character actor who was in A Clockwork Orange, among other things.


The Wicker Man justifiably deserves the reputation that it has been awarded throughout the years as an original horror film. I love this movie and it should be mandatory viewing for all self professed horror movie fans everywhere.


5 out of 5 pints of blood.


- Hammer Fangirl


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