☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ½
The Wicker Man (1973) – R. Hardy
Classic folk-horror
with Christopher Lee as the Lord of Summerisle, off the coast of Scotland,
where the old Pagan traditions are valued. So, there’s a culture clash when
Edward Woodward (as Sargeant Howie), a devout Catholic, shows up to investigate
a missing girl about whom his department has been tipped off. But no one seems to
recollect the missing girl (Rowan) or else they are hiding something! Howie
struggles to understand the locals who have a very free approach to sexuality
that upsets his prudish nature. Moreover, the May-Day festival is soon
approaching and the island is preparing for a big celebration that will include
animal costumes and a parade – plus, as Howie discovers at the library, the
possibility of a virgin (Rowan?) being sacrificed! He is determined to thwart anything horrible
that might occur -- but he is entangled in a mystery that he can’t quite solve.
Director Robin Hardy apparently released a director’s cut that is a bit longer
(and with some scenes in a different order) than the 88 min theatrical cut I
watched. Probably best not to forget that this is a horror film (and the end is
certainly shocking) but the film certainly pushes you to appreciate the old
ways, don’t you think?
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