Rent The Wicker Man (1973)

Fancy watching Christopher Lee dance in a wig? - The Wicker Man review by HW

I saw this film years ago and didn’t fully appreciate it. Having rewatched it following its 50th anniversary, I agree with anyone who says it’s one of the most original and imaginative British horrors of all time. Not only does this film mix several genres seamlessly (mystery and folk musical along with horror) but it offers relevant and insightful comments on the nature of faith and belief, while adding tension to an already suspenseful, believable plot. Both hardcore Christian Sergeant Howie (Woodward) and the pagan Summerisle community he clashes with are blindly, arrogantly confident in their beliefs (the Summerisle lot dangerously so). Was this film predicting the one-sided, mostly internet-fuelled arguments of the 21st century? Regardless of its message on religion, this film remains a unique, disturbing and bewitching experience. The ending has to be one of the best-shot and visually stunning scenes in horror cinema, along with scenes from ‘The Shining’. Arguably the ending is more harrowing than anything from ‘the Shining’. The traditional folk soundtrack is triumphantly enchanting, despite the bizarre, horrific events the jaunty songs accompany.

Pagan Scotland. - The Wicker Man review by Steve

This landmark of British folk horror isn't really a scare film at all, more of a dystopian thriller. Only the inspired twist is that the machine of oppression isn't the remote, indifferent state, but the free, self-governing citizens. Edward Woodward plays a sexually repressed policeman who visits a remote Scottish island to investigate the disappearance of a young girl.

But instead discovers he is the fall guy. In their isolation, the islanders have adopted pagan rituals, which revolve around an uninhibited approach to sex and the fruitfulness of their crops. Soon the christian copper is being tempted by an enraptured Britt Ekland dancing naked and banging on the locked door of his hotel room.

Presumably there is some satirical intent, with the collective delusion of the free loving heathens reflecting the values of the seventies hippie movement. But also their beliefs have the effect of spoofing the pious sergeant's own faith. There's an original and intelligent script which constantly delights with its use of historical pagan traditions.

Woodward is perfect casting as the persevering dupe. Christopher Lee is ideal as the autocratic Lord, and the impudent, provocative- and naked- Britt Ekland is unforgettable. The photography of the sunny Scottish landscape and the evocative score of folk ballads both make crucial contributions. And the thrilling climactic appointment with the wicker man is the stuff of horror legend.