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The Wicker Man - Special Edition Director's Cut (2 disc set) [1973]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

It must be stressed that, despite the fact that it was produced in 1973 and stars Christopher Lee, The Wicker Man is not a Hammer Horror film. There is no blood, very little gore and the titular Wicker Man is not a monster made out of sticks that runs around killing people by weaving them into raffia work. Edward Woodward plays Sergeant Howie, a virginal, Christian policeman sent from the Scottish mainland to investigate the disappearance of a young girl on the remote island of Summerisle.

The intelligent script by Anthony Schaffer, who also wrote the detective mystery Sleuth (a film with which The Wicker Man shares many traits), derives its horror from the increasing isolation, confusion and humiliation experienced by the naïve Howie as he encounters the island community's hostility and sexual pagan rituals, manifested most immediately in the enthusiastic advances of local landlord's daughter Willow (Britt Ekland). Howie's intriguing search, made all the more authentic by the film's atmospheric locations and folkish soundtrack, gradually takes us deeper and deeper into the bizarre pagan community living under the guidance of the charming Laird (Lee, minus fangs) as the film builds to a terrifying climax with a twist to rival that of The Sixth Sense or Fight Club. --Paul Philpott

On the DVD: The Wicker Man can finally be seen in its glorious entirety on DVD, thanks to the restoration of some 15 minutes of previously lost material. Since the original negative long ago disappeared (apparently dumped beneath the M3 motorway) the picture quality for the added scenes is dubious, but what's much more important is the regained richness in the depiction of Summerisle's society (including a wonderful deflowering ritual set to music) and the added depth to Howie's character. Almost redundantly this excellent two-disc package provides the butchered theatrical cut as well, which comes with a good new documentary explaining both the genesis of the film and its turbulent history. Christopher Lee and director Robin Hardy pop up in an archival interview from the 1970s and are also reunited with Edward Woodward in the brand-new and first-rate commentary track for the director's cut: Lee in particular remains passionate about the movie and still angry about its shabby treatment. Both versions of the film are widescreen 1.85:1; the theatrical cut is in remastered Dolby 5.1, but the director's cut remains in mono. --Mark Walker


Brilliant
Review date: 2007-12-24 Rating: 10 out of 10

A masterpiece in so many ways. The viewer never really knows where their allegiance lies: with the humorous but suspect islanders or the straight-up, plain-talking Christian copper. In the battle of wits between Sgt Howie and the Islanders the film perfectly encapsulates the age-old battle and yin-yang synnergy between Paganism (Earthiness, fun, free love, self-expression, humour, sex, fighting, fertility, dancing, community, sacrifice) and Monotheism (Duty, honour, truth, dignity, charity, discipline, selflessness, repression, individual salvation, self-sacrifice). The hippy in you will love the islanders but you can't help respecting the straightforward dedication of the sgt in the face of the riddles and deceit all around him.

Of course the music is great throughout. Both the Islanders' songs and the background score fit perfectly with the mood of each scene and when the inhabitants burst into song it doesn't seem forced, it's just the way they are!
Finally a great twist and truly horrifying finale. No Hollywood happy ending here.
In a way everyone gets what they want - the ultimate sacrifice...

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Reviews


Critical moment in film making.
Review date: 2007-11-01 Rating: 8 out of 10

The 4 stars I have given this version is almost unjustly harsh, for the movie itself and the characterisation of the actors is pure genius. The 4 stars are simply because some of the old film quality kept in for obvious reasons and I'm guessing beyond restoration, is very poor indeed. I accept that this couldn't be altered and thus as a product it is less than perfect. The movie itself though is truely magnificent. Whilst watching the heroes of other horror films you may jump with them and dive for cover when they do if no one else is watching, with this one you share every ounce of Edward Woodwards revulsion and disbelief as the mask of Summerisle is gradually lifted. Take the maypole dance. I watched and listened agog to the children and their teacher as they performed their annual rite. This fantastic bewilderment continues through to the very shocking climax where your skin will prickle with sympathy. Don't watch alone.

Almost unclassifiable film, it is so brilliantly different
Review date: 2007-07-27 Rating: 10 out of 10

If I was nitpicking at the inventive plot, I'd say what the hell was Woodward doing on his own there? When it takes two policemen to give you a parking ticket these days, our fearless sergeant pilots his own aircraft to a virtually unknown island to look for a missing person! That aside, it is a most tantalising, off-centre story with a mystery that gets harder and harder for the policeman to solve. It builds beautifully to the excellent climax, with Woodward on scorching form all the way. He acted the pants of everyone, including Christopher Lee, and this gives the film real depth. The folksy score adds to the strange flavour and the smart screenplay is choc full of pagan references and little surprises that add to the mystery and the atmosphere. Exceptionally well made small budget film that can't easily be called a horror or a even a thriller, it is just a one off.

Totally daft but BRILLIANT!
Review date: 2007-03-14 Rating: 8 out of 10

This film has that likeable quality of being totally ridiculous but totally entertaining. Edward Woodward is a straitlaced cop searching for a missing girl on an island where all the inhabitants just happen to be pagans. He plays the part as straight as a die, unlike the rest of the cast who are having a great time hamming it up like crazy. Christopher Lee is hilarious as the bizarre Lord Summerisle, egging on the islanders in their unholy pursuits. There's bucketloads of sexual symbolism-phallic topiary, women stroking penis-shaped statues and so on. Britt Ekland treats us to a nudie dance around the bedroom and the rest of the islanders hold fertility rituals and sing suggestive songs. The ending, of course, is deadly sinister, but the project as a whole is a real hoot. Watch it-you'll love it.

Unsettling and Disturbing British Classic
Review date: 2007-02-22 Rating: 10 out of 10

The Wicker Man is one of the best horror films I have ever seen but there isn't actually that much typical horror in it. Instead of sheer terror, The Wicker Man makes the viewer uncomfortable and carefully cranks up the tension until the gripping finale.

A Scottish policeman (Edward Woodward) flies to Summerisle to investigate the dissapearance of a local girl. He discovers a strange place where the local people have rejected Christianity and formed some kind of pagan society with Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee) at the centre of the mystery. The policeman is angry and frustrated to find that the locals are wierd and deny the girl ever existed even though he finds plenty of evidence to the contrary. He begins to suspect she may be the centre of a bizarre ritual to appease the pagan god of harvest and that Lord Summerisle knows exactly where she is.

The Wicker Man is clearly the inspiration for The League of Gentlemen and they do a pretty good job of exaggerating the perculiarities of close knit, isolated communities like the people of Summerisle. The Wicker Man is extremely effective at making the viewer feel isolated and vunerable and therefore afraid. The strange behaviour of the people and the obvious fact that there is something very sinister under their smiling facade builds the tension nicely until we are actually introduced to the wicker man in the final horrifying scene.

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Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Edward Woodward
Ingrid Pitt
Britt Ekland
Christopher Lee
Diane Cilento

Creators:
Edward Woodward (Primary Contributor)
Christopher Lee (Primary Contributor)
Harry Waxman (Cinematographer)
Eric Boyd-Perkins (Editor)
Peter Snell (Producer)
Anthony Shaffer (Writer)
David Pinner (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 7321900382816
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL, Special Edition,
Release date: 2002-04-22
Number of discs: 2
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 84 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1975-06
Language: English (Original Language)

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