THE WICKER MAN (1973)

Director: Robin Hardy

Writers: Anthony Shaffer, based on the novel Ritual by David Pinner

Producer: Peter Snell

Cast: Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland, Diane Cilento, Ingrid Pitt, Aubrey Morris, Russell Waters, Lindsay Kemp, Irene Sunter, Ian Campbell, Walter Carr, Leslie Blackater, Geraldine Cowper, Roy Boyd, Peter Brewis, Juliette Cadzow, Ross Campbell, Kevin Collins, Michael Cole, Penny Cluer, John Hallam, Lorraine Peters, Ian Cutler, Donald Eccles, Myra Forsyth, Barbara Ann Brown, Jennifer Martin, Alison Hughes, Charles Kearney, Fiona Kennedy, John Macgregor, Jimmy Mackenzie, Lesley Mackie, Helen Norman, Bernard Murray, Tony Roper, John Sharp, Elizabeth Sinclair, Andrew Tompkins, Ian Wilson, Richard Wren, John Young, Robin Hardy (uncredited), Paul Giovanni (uncredited) 

Mainland Scotland Police Sergeant Neil Howie (Edward Woodward) is summoned by an anonymous letter to investigate the disappearance of a young girl on Summerisle. Howie flies to the island and discovers that the quaint community is devoted to paganism. This “heathen” culture is abhorrent to the devoutly Christian Howie. Just as upsetting is that none of the islanders will provide any useful information to help him locate the missing girl. 

The Flashback Fanatic movie review

This flashback fanatic enjoys the ritual of viewing favorite fright flicks during the times of the year they are supposed to take place. Of course, many horror films have used a particular holiday to provide the hook to hang their bloody plots on. There are many choices to choose from for those most commercialized holidays such as Christmas and Halloween. Valentine’s Day and Independence Day have also been exploited a few times. But if you are getting the holiday-themed horror movie-watching itch around May Day, The Wicker Man is the ritual for you.

The Wicker Man is a much-revered British production that deserves its classic status. It is still a very unique film (its much-despised 2006 remake be damned), and one that benefits from immersing the viewer in its idyllic, yet strange, environment. If ever setting was vital to the story, characters, and conflicts, it is here. 

Why this film manages to be so compelling, and ultimately impactful, is that it operates as not only a horror or mystery story, but presents a character that has his values challenged by the culture that he is exploring while trying to do his lawful duty. During the hero’s investigations, we experience the scenery, customs, and music of the isolated community of Summerisle. The lack of cooperation by the locals and their non-Christian beliefs and practices generates emotional and spiritual conflicts for the hero that often play out in humorous ways. This film intrigues and stimulates the audience quite unlike most thrillers. There are no clichés to be found here. That is probably why the climax is so moving. 

As Police Sergeant Howie, Edward Woodward provides his uptight and righteous authority figure with dignity that keeps us on his side and allows us to empathize with his constant frustration. Despite his intolerance of Summerisle’s pagan ways, Howie still always earns our respect for him as a very decent person doing his very important job. 

Christopher Lee considered his character of Lord Summerisle to be one of his favorite roles. Here he demonstrates his humor and wit as well as his usual authority. His character is the vital one that explains just what the unique culture of Summerisle is all about. He also manages to be the character most infuriating to Howie and, as a result, is the most funny for the audience. Lee deserves the pride he took in the role. 

Frequent British film beauties Ingrid Pitt and Britt Ekland have memorable roles here. Any time we get to surprise Ingrid Pitt in the bath is time well spent. One of the most memorable moments in the film is of Britt Ekland’s character Willow performing a naked serenade from the room next door to tempt the chaste Sergeant Howie. Dancer Lorraine Peters puts the rump in scrumptious as Ekland’s fully nude dancing body double as seen from behind. This scene is both powerfully erotic and melancholy. 

Paul Giovanni’s music throughout this film is wonderful and is often presented as performances by characters in the film. The music is usually contributing to ritualistic behavior of the Summerisle citizens and helps us quickly get accustomed to how ingrained their pagan beliefs are. Music was never more important to a film than this music is to The Wicker Man. 

In my opinion, the script is the most important element in a good film. The producers of this film seemed to also appreciate that as they listed writer Anthony Shaffer’s name above the film title in the credits. With the writer of such mystery and suspense productions as Sleuth (1972) and Frenzy (1972) doing the script, The Wicker Man was bound to be great. The story works as a thriller without ever seeming to be deliberately setting out to do so. Its leisurely pace and eccentric setting involve us and engage our interest while luring us to an unforgettable finish. Anthony Shaffer based his screenplay loosely on the 1967 David Pinner novel Ritual. That novel was originally conceived as a film treatment. 

Director Robin Hardy has made a handful of films. The Wicker Man is certainly the one he will be deservedly remembered for. His 2011 movie The Wicker Tree is a loose sequel.