May Day Related Film of the Week: The Wicker Man

"Do sit down, Sergeant. Shocks are so much better absorbed with the knees bent." - Lord Summerisle

The Wicker Man is not your average film, let alone "horror" film. Created in 1973, it was so hated by the movie studio that it was immediately re-cut and the original negatives nearly destroyed. Marketing this as a horror movie was a mistake as it is more of a musical murder mystery. (Yes, you read that correctly.)

Edward Woodward plays Sergeant Howie, a chaste police offer led to a small island off the coast of Scotland on word that a child has been reported missing. What he finds there is a pagan community filled with song, dance, and sex led by Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee.)

Howie is led on a goose chase by the uncooperative locals and becomes more disgusted with each act of pagan heathenism he encounters. He is also tempted by a very naked and very shapely Willow, played by Britt Ekland (pictured left.) To say more of the plot would rob its impact.

The film moves at a leisurely pace. The soundtrack consists exclusively of folk music and many times the music is being performed on screen. Combine this with some naked dancing and nude girls jumping through a flame in order to become pregnant and you've got a recipe for a fine film; however, it tends to be too much for others. After one viewing for our annual horror marathon one woman declared the movie was, "...in extremely poor taste."

The film is not without its fair share of sharp dialogue, mainly found in conversations between Howie and Lord Summerisle. Also, the film depicts a fair representation of pagan rituals. Some of which are still seen today. (The May Pole, The Burning Man Festival, etc...)

This movie should be seen at least once, as there are no other films like it.

The Good:

• Unique plot that sets up a classic ending
• Effective use of Christianity and Paganism to create conflict.
• Christopher Lee's inspired performance.
• Britt Ekland
• "Oh God! Oh Jesus Christ!"
• I once got into an argument with a "pagan" stripper over the merits of the paganism depicted in this film.
  

The Bad:

• Some of the folk singing tends to drag a bit in parts.
• Ummm...I guess I like the rest too much.
  

The Ugly:

• As mentioned in a previous post, they are remaking this movie starring Nicolas Cage on an island of feminists or something.
  

posted by Drone @ 9:21 PM Comments: 3