31 by 31 Challenge #20: THE WICKER MAN (1973)

Perfectly realized, flawlessly acted, and brilliantly scored, The Wicker Man is an exceptional contribution to the history of cinema. Known variously as the ultimate cult film, the greatest British film of all time, and the Citizen Kane of horror movies, Robin Hardy's masterpiece was cut and panned at the time of its controversial release and has since gone on to gain one of the most devoted fan followings and critical appreciations of all time. The legend himself, Sir Christopher Lee, called it his proudest professional accomplishment, and I pity the fool that dares challenge the white wizard on that claim.

The Wicker Man
Released: December 6, 1973
Director: Robin Hardy
Screenplay: Anthony Shaffer

Tagline: "Flesh to touch...flesh to burn...don't keep the Wicker Man waiting"

Cast:
Edward Woodward as Sergeant Neil Howie
Christopher Lee as Lord Summerisle
Britt Eckland as Willow McGregor
Diane Cilento as Miss Rose
Ingrid Pitt as The Librarian
Lindsay Kemp as Alder McGregor
Irene Sunter as May Morrison


Scottish police sergeant Neil Howie is summoned to the remote Hebridean island of Summerisle after receiving an anonymous letter imploring him to look into the disapperance of a young girl, Rowan Morrison. Upon arriving at the remote village, the sergeant discovers townsfolk claiming that Rowan never existed. Stranger still, Howie learns that the inhabitants of the island have abandoned Christianity and now practice their own form of Celtic paganism. As he digs deeper into the msytery surrounding Rowan, Sgt. Howie begins to suspect that a sinister heathen conspiracy is afoot and that it's all set to come to a head at the annual May Day celebration. If he only knew how right he was...

British horror in the 1960's was dominated by gothic narratives, usually grand, bloody features from Hammer studios. But then Piers Haggard released The Blood on Satan's Claw (1971), and though that film was disappointing at the box office, it started a shift in tone for British filmmakers. The Wicker Man followed in that tradition and shunned the maudlin Gothic vestments for the old religions and calendar customs of ancient Britain for inspiration. Rather than a funereal atmosphere, the film employed an outdoorsy, rural mise en scene to play out a clash of faiths -- Howie's uptight Calvinisn against the blatantly sexual, freeflowing mores of the citizens of Summerisle. 

The film had a troubled proudction, with British Lion studios switching management midway through production and the new executives being arrogantly dismissive of the film. They primed it to sink into obscurity, and it almost did if not for the efforts of Lee and several other members of the production team who promoted the film at drive-in screenings where it was often paired with Nicolas Roeg's Don't Look Now (1973). Lee was a steadfast champion of the film, galvanizing deserved critical acclaim throughout his career. His efforts paid off, and years later, the small but devoted following that grew up around the film was able to get The Wicker Man released in its proper 99-minute cut, though even now, there are still scenes missing.

As one of the most intelligent and deeply woven horror films in the canon, The Wicker Man is riff with symbols and layered meaning that make it prime fodder for any avid film analyst. Themes of sexuality, religion, traditional gender roles, childhood, and power are both examined and turned on their head by the film, which refuses to be defined by any one genre. The haunting soundtrack, based on original British folk music, not only elevates the film but has taken on a subversive life of its own in Lilith Fair-style pop culture. The creativity and ingenuity of the filmmakers, who worked with a meager fifty thousand dollar budget, is felt in every frame, all guided towards one of the most shocking, chilling, and memorable denouments in cinema. Summer is a coming in, my friends. Summer is a coming in.


The Wicker Man
5 - Totally Terrifying
4 - Crazy Creepy
3 - Fairly Frightening
2 - Slightly Scary
1 - Hardly Horror