#28: THE WICKER MAN

 

STARRING:Edward Woodwood, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland, Ingrid Pitt and Diane Cilento. Written by Anthony Shaffer. Directed by Robin Hardy. Running time 1hr and 34 minutes. Budget £500,000. 

Made in 1973, this year marks the 50th anniversary of this legendary film. I first became aware of it because of a picture in my Octopus Book of Horror showing Edward Woodwood lying in his bed starring at the sight of a hand shaped candle burning on a bedside cabinet. It would be many years before I watched it on TV. And when I finally did, I was captivated.  However this week, on the summer solstice no less I was finally able to watch it on the big screen and what a powerful experience it turned out to be! As always seeing films as they were intended on the big screen is a transformative experience and deeply enhances the enjoyment. 

A film, much lauded and much copied which still manages to be as shocking and gripping as when it was first released and has lost none of its power to surprise and shock. It sees deeply devout christian police Sergeant Neil Howie (Edward Woodwood) arrive on the remote Scottish island of Summerisle to investigate the disappearance and possible murder of a young school girl called Rowan, what he discovers is a pagan community preparing to celebrate their major May Day festival. Howie finds his faith and beliefs challenged as he gets drawn into a sinister conspiracy that ends with one of the most famous climaxes in movie history. 

It's an incredible horror film, that except for one scene takes place in broad daylight and it has a surprisingly low body count and yet remains immensely unsettling nevertheless, especially as the ending crawls into view and you begin to realise just what is going on! 

The main cast lead by Woodwood and Lee are excellent and the addition of Ekland and Pitt brings a sensual essence to the film. They are all abled assisted by the use of real people from the island where the film was shot as secondary characters, giving the film an almost documentary feel.

If you've never seen this film, you must it really is a fascinating and chilling delight, the music, a mix of folk and some rock is perfect for the film and it's filled with some extraordinary moments, some of which are deeply unsettling.

A wonderful film, of the type 'they don't make any more'. This new version is a delight and well worth a view.

10/10