The Wicker Man (1973)

Posted on November 30, 2016 by emmakwall

Originally posted here as part of MovieRob and Gill’s Genre Grandeur – films set in Scotland.

Another genre grandeur! They come around so quick. Thanks Rob and Gill from WeegieMidget Reviews for suggesting such a great movie genre – films that take place in Scotland.

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The Wicker Man is set on the Hebrides, a bunch of islands off the coast of Scotland. A horror / mystery film which is often named as one of Britain’s best horrors. It stars Edward Woodward and Christopher Lee and is directed by Robin Hardy (not really notable for much else I’m afraid to say).

I personally think the film lies more heavily on the ‘mystery’ side than outright horror (even I-Hate-Horror-Movies-MovieRob might enjoy it). It’s best approached as one might approach a particularly good episode of Morse or Columbo. Close the curtains and get comfy up on the sofa like it’s Sunday afternoon even if it’s not and enjoy the intrigue, the dialogue, odd characters and puzzling, unsettling backdrop. Only really the last scene is truly horrific (and really horrific it truly is), though there is still tension and unease in the rest of the film.

The story follows Woodward as Sergeant Howie, a well meaning Christian police officer who flies to the Hebriden island Summerisle to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. Things feel weird as soon as he arrives. The locals are wonderfully eccentric (you can see how later films and even TV shows have taken influence) and the highly religious Howie is quite disturbed to discover the islanders practice paganism – under the influence of their leader, Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee).

Finding the residents of Summerisle secretive and defensive, things get even weirder for poor old Howie as his investigation progresses. Piss taking locals, annoying singing, creepy masks, dead animals, kindly adults quite literally putting frogs in their kids mouths to cure a sore throat. Oh, and a lot of nudity. Quite a lot of hot nudity in fact – Britt Ekland plays the pub landlord’s daughter Willow and she dances around naked quite a bit. Howie is staying at her father’s pub (called The Green Man!) and enjoys a few odd ‘dreams’.

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Christopher Lee predictably steals the show a tad, though Edward Woodward is perfect as the well meaning copper – and you do really like the guy, which only serves to make his fate and the ending even more horrific (and because of that, a lot more memorable). But it has to be said about Lee, I mean he just has that…complete presence doesn’t he. And playing someone as mad, self-assured and deep voiced as Lord Summerisle suits him well. He also sings and dances (and wears a ludicrous wig) with no inhibition at all.
I’ve already mentioned the film has some good dialogue, but the scenes between Howie and Summerisle are particularly good. Howie takes the paganism as somewhat of a personal insult, given his background as a devout Christian.
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It’s a film for actual movie fans really I think. Or at least viewers willing to invest their time. Not in a pretentious way at all, I just can’t imagine a bunch of stoned teenagers enjoying it too much. Though the film does conclude with a terrifying scene, it’s not a ‘classic scary movie’ like The Exorcist or Alien. It’s very strange, creepy at times and has an uneasy feel, don’t get me wrong (and the ending seriously never ceases to amaze, I always expect some sort of….intervention, but the intervention never comes). You just have to make sure you get into it, best watched by yourself or with someone like minded. And if you want to watch something whilst you’re stoned, watch the 2006 remake where Nicolas Cage sprints up to someone in a bear costume and punches them in the face (or just watch that one scene on YouTube as the rest of the film sucks).

Now I know Rob likes a bit of film trivia, so let’s end this review with one of my favourite film facts, which is that Christopher Lee named The Wicker Man as his greatest film role and also appeared in the film for free.

“You did it beautifully!” 

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About emmakwall

Films, books, soundtracks, good humour
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31 Responses to The Wicker Man (1973)

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  1. Realweegiemidget Reviews's avatar Realweegiemidget says:
    April 14, 2017 at 20:23

    So avoided the Nicolas Cage version – just because Nicolas Cage – need I say more xx

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  2. Peter Alexander Thorne's avatar Peter Alexander Thorne says:
    March 21, 2017 at 15:59

    Fantastic film. Right up there with “The Devil Rides Out”. Love it.

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  3. Peter Thorne Fine Art's avatar Peter Alexander Thorne says:
    February 15, 2017 at 17:28

    Just a wonderful film. Always has been a favourite. Greetings.

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  4. Jacob Forster's avatar That Other Critic says:
    January 11, 2017 at 02:17

    I’ve avoided the Nic Cage version (except the popular “How’d it get burned,” “Not the bees,” “Shark bag,” bear punch clips online) until I could get around to the original. I plan on getting to it, hopefully soon, it looks good.

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  5. Jordan Dodd's avatar Jordan Dodd says:
    December 14, 2016 at 23:23

    Great review Em. You’re right, that ending never ceases to amaze. And the back and forths between Howie and Summerisle are great too, I agree 😀

    Its been a while, I think I might pull this out. Certainly a very unique movie!!

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    • emmakwall's avatar emmakwall says:
      December 19, 2016 at 15:52

      Thanks so much Jordan!! Been ages man, how are you? How is Brutus? 🙂 is it amazinly warm in Oz?!!! 😀

      mmmmm’kay

      I’ve been offline a lot recently, a lot to catch up on!! Have you watched Wickerman again? 🙂

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      • Jordan Dodd's avatar Jordan Dodd says:
        December 21, 2016 at 05:26

        I did watch it again, a very unique movie indeed. And that ending…. woah!

        It has been ages hey! Do you use facebook? I don’t use the site but I use the messenger cos none of my friends actually use phones to talk to one another any more. I feel so old! But yeah it’d be cool to be able to chat with ya sometimes 🙂

        And yes it is starting to get warm. Too warm actually, xmas day is scheduled to be 40 degrees. Dunno what that is in Fahrenheit but its BLOODY HOT!!!

        Brutes says hello, mmmmkay? 😉

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  6. The Telltale Mind's avatar The Telltale Mind says:
    December 8, 2016 at 17:40

    Great review Ems! Loved this movie.

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. vinnieh's avatar vinnieh says:
    December 8, 2016 at 14:32

    Absolutely striking movie. It plays by no rules and is all the better for it.

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