A puritan police sergeant arrives in a Scottish island village in search of a missing girl, who the pagan locals claim never existed.A puritan police sergeant arrives in a Scottish island village in search of a missing girl, who the pagan locals claim never existed.A puritan police sergeant arrives in a Scottish island village in search of a missing girl, who the pagan locals claim never existed.
- Awards
- 3 wins & 6 nominations
Irene Sunters
- May Morrison
- (as Irene Sunter)
Barbara Rafferty
- Woman with Baby
- (as Barbara Ann Brown)
Juliet Cadzow
- Villager on Summerisle
- (as Juliette Cadzow)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaSir Christopher Lee said that he considers this to be one of his greatest ever roles.
- GoofsMost of the "naked" girls dancing in the stone circle and jumping over the fire are wearing flesh-colored body stockings. (The film was shot in autumn and not in spring as it was set, and thus was very cold.)
- Quotes
Lord Summerisle: Do sit down, Sergeant. Shocks are so much better absorbed with the knees bent.
- Crazy credits[Short Version only] A message from the producers thanks "The Lord Summerisle and the people of his island" for co-operating in the making of the film. This is despite both the lord and the island being totally fictitious.
- Alternate versionsA dual DVD set in a burnt wooden box was released in 2001 by Anchor Bay. It has the standard 88 (or 87) minute Theatrical Version. It also has a 99 minute Extended Version. This also has the events in chronological order (unlike the 88 min version). Unlike the 95 minute version it does have footage prior to Sgt. Howie's arrival on Summerisle, including him as a Preacher.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Scream Greats, Vol. 2: Satanism and Witchcraft (1986)
- SoundtracksCorn Rigs
Written by Paul Giovanni
Performed by Paul Giovanni
[played over the latter half of the opening credits]
Featured review
On an island off the Scottish coast is a very strange community that Sgt Howie (Edward Woodward) ventures to in search of a missing teenaged girl. On landing he is astonished to find that the crowd of old men has never heard of the girl. His quest will be stranger yet.
The island is "ruled" by Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee) who is the descendant of a scientist who introduced exotic cultivars of fruits and re-introduced druidic or pagan beliefs. As the island prospered with its exported fruits the paganism became more deep rooted. The Sgt finds more and more mystery as he continues his quest for the girl.
Pitting Christianity against early pagan druidic rituals is just one of the intellectual pleasures of this cult film. As the local teacher (Diane Cilento) tells the Sgt, it's easier for a child's mind to understand reincarnation than resurrection. It gets them past all those rotting bodies.
Part mystery story, part horror, The Wicker Man blends several genres into one fascinating film. The May Day Festival is a throwback to pagan rites of a thousand years ago (a bit of which continues today in Morris dancing) and are a highlight of this film. The bizarre procession to the sea to offer sacrifices to the sea gods and sun god is historically accurate and sets up a surprise ending not to be forgotten.
Woodward is splendid as the pompous officer who clings to his religion. Lee is terrific as the eccentric lord. Cilento is a hoot as the teacher. Britt Ekland is the landlord's daughter Willow and Ingrid Pitt is the librarian. Blending folk and Enya-like music (by Paul Giovanni), director Robin Hardy creates a bawdy pagan world in the midst of the 20th century. The Celtic symbolism (Nuada the Sun God) is beautiful and helps set the tone.
A visual treat with great music, this film really gives the viewer something to think about. Highly recommended.
The island is "ruled" by Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee) who is the descendant of a scientist who introduced exotic cultivars of fruits and re-introduced druidic or pagan beliefs. As the island prospered with its exported fruits the paganism became more deep rooted. The Sgt finds more and more mystery as he continues his quest for the girl.
Pitting Christianity against early pagan druidic rituals is just one of the intellectual pleasures of this cult film. As the local teacher (Diane Cilento) tells the Sgt, it's easier for a child's mind to understand reincarnation than resurrection. It gets them past all those rotting bodies.
Part mystery story, part horror, The Wicker Man blends several genres into one fascinating film. The May Day Festival is a throwback to pagan rites of a thousand years ago (a bit of which continues today in Morris dancing) and are a highlight of this film. The bizarre procession to the sea to offer sacrifices to the sea gods and sun god is historically accurate and sets up a surprise ending not to be forgotten.
Woodward is splendid as the pompous officer who clings to his religion. Lee is terrific as the eccentric lord. Cilento is a hoot as the teacher. Britt Ekland is the landlord's daughter Willow and Ingrid Pitt is the librarian. Blending folk and Enya-like music (by Paul Giovanni), director Robin Hardy creates a bawdy pagan world in the midst of the 20th century. The Celtic symbolism (Nuada the Sun God) is beautiful and helps set the tone.
A visual treat with great music, this film really gives the viewer something to think about. Highly recommended.
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Anthony Shaffer's The Wicker Man
- Filming locations
- Culzean Castle, Maybole, South Ayrshire, Scotland, UK(Exteriors ofLord Summerisle's island mansion)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $810,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $148,882
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $5,493
- Sep 29, 2013
- Gross worldwide
- $528,514
- Runtime1 hour 28 minutes
- Sound mix
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