The premise is quite intriguing and is certainly sinister, but it's undermined by a too-leisurely pace and musical numbers that are straight out of an x-rated fetish-fantasy as imagined by Walt Disney.
The Wicker Man (1973)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:45
Fresh:41
Rotten:4
Average Rating:7.7/10
Consensus: This intelligent horror film is subtle in its thrills and chills, with an ending that is both shocking and truly memorable.
Runtime: 3 hrs 7 mins
Genre: Horror/Suspense
Synopsis: A notoriously troubled production notwithstanding, the controversial cult classic THE WICKER MAN is now regarded as a classic of British cinema. Edward Woodward stars as Sergeant Howie, a naive... A notoriously troubled production notwithstanding, the controversial cult classic THE WICKER MAN is now regarded as a classic of British cinema. Edward Woodward stars as Sergeant Howie, a naive young police officer sent to Summerisle, a secluded island off the coast of Scotland, to investigate the disappearance of a young girl named Rowan. When he arrives there, he finds a very tight-knit community that is mistrustful and hostile to outsiders. No one is willing to even acknowledge Rowan's disappearance. Soon, Howie begins to realize that the town might, in fact, be a strange pagan cult, one given to unbridled sexuality and possible human sacrifice. Seeking an audience with the oddly civilized Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee), Howie hopes to get to the bottom of the mystery, but instead he finds something more shocking than he could have ever imagined. Written by Anthony Shaffer (SLEUTH, DEATH ON THE NILE), Robin Hardy's eerie film paints a disturbing portrait of an almost prehistoric, multi-deity worshipping society given to bizarre rituals and Bacchanalian excess. Though recognition may have been a long time coming, THE WICKER MAN stands as a strikingly original achievement that is equal parts horror, drama, comedy, and musical. [More]
Starring: Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland, Diane Cilento
Starring: Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland, Diane Cilento, Ingrid Pitt, Lindsay Kemp, Russell Waters, Aubrey Morris
Director: Robin Hardy
Director: Robin Hardy
Screenwriter: Anthony Shaffer
Producer: Peter Snell
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Reviews for The Wicker Man
It’s a heady brew, but Hardy keep the mystery simmering, while his staging of several merrie pagan songs – and of course the chilling climax – is truly memorable.
The ultimate British cult classic - a unique film that straddles genres, features Christopher Lee in a dress and builds toward one of cinema's most memorable climaxes.
It remains a fine example of occult horror that remains with the viewer well past its conclusion.
The Wicker Man is, more than anything else, a film about what people can do in the name of religion or, more generally, belief. Its power comes not from appeals to the supernatural but from a deep understanding of our own undeniable nature.
The Wicker Man is unforgettable. It's the most unique horror film ever made.
The tension occasionally goes slack, but hardly anything surpasses that clifftop finale for freakish terror.
A film with a deliberate pace and an ending that will hit you like a lightning bolt out of left field.
Stick with this creepy 1973 masterpiece and you’ll be rewarded by a memorable, haunting ending that follows an almost unbearably tense build-up.
Robin Hardy's 1973 cult horror film passed through several distributors, several versions, and several bankruptcies, picking up a powerful reputation along the way.
The Wicker Man has a few good ideas and a great last act, but everything that comes before it is essentially disposable.
You can't help smiling at the audacity of it all and shivering a little at the feelbad ending.
Latest News for The Wicker Man
April 08, 2008:
Wicker Man Sequel Scrapped
Turns out there is a sequel that can't get made. More...
December 27, 2007:
Clive Barker and Guillermo del Toro Are Being Born
Clive Barker and Guillermo del Toro are getting ready to explore the dark side of Claymation. More...
August 31, 2006:
Critical Consensus: "Crank" Is Well-Ranked; "Illusionist" Is Magic, "Crossover" Is An Air-Ball, "Wicker Man" Gets Burned
This week at the movies, we've got hoopsters with big dreams ("Crossover," starring Anthony Mackie), scary goings-on on remote islands ("The Wicker Man,"... More...
June 19, 2006:
Check Out the New "Wicker" Pics
Color me very curious regarding Neil LaBute's upcoming "The Wicker Man." Here we have an indie filmmaker venturing into a new genre, while also remaking one of the... More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 77% 77% | The Hangover |
| 88% 88% | Inglourious Basterds |
| 66% 66% | Public Enemies |
| 24% 24% | G-Force |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 90% 90% | District 9 |
| 86% 86% | 500 Days of Summer |
| 63% 63% | Extract |
| 06% 06% | All About Steve |
| 78% 78% | It Might Get Loud |
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