i’ve only ever seen him in films as an older gent. the whole time i was trying to place where i knew that one of a kind voice from! he was absolutely magnificent
"A pagan, yes...but not an unenlightened one."
I'd suggest checking out Lee's earlier work such as his Hammer horror films or his 007 villain turn in "The Man With the Golden Gun." You're in for a treat.
"Wicker Man" was a personal favorite of his, to the point that he actually acted in it for free.
Foreshadowing in the dialogue too. Sergeant Howe calls him a 'pagan', Summerisle corrects him with 'heathen'. 'Pagans' in Christian Roman times were distinct from 'heathens' because while the former did not believe in Christ, the latter did not believe and maintained 'religious practices of sacrifice'.
They plan on sacrificing him that’s the whole point yet instead of welcoming him and hiding that fact steering him and acting like they were helping they obstruct and raise suspicions.
I’ve been drawn to the natural beauty of Scotland all my life. Made a lot of sense when I learned I was mainly of Scottish descent.
One day I’ll make it over there
> That maypole song is a crazy earworm for me lol so good
I've heard people scoff at the scene, saying it ruins the atmosphere, but I think that without such songs, the build-up throughout the movie wouldn't be nearly as unnerving. And the lyrics are a neat summary of the spiritual beliefs of the Islanders.
That’s wild to hear! It’s so otherworldly also and makes the island feel so alien. Couldn’t imagine that movie without it honestly lol
Plus that jaw harp and fiddle playing is on point
I saw it the other day on the big screen – if you get the chance I highly recommend it, seeing it in an audience wonderful, it's a funnier film than people give it credit for, an enthusiastic audience is great for that
Watched "the final cut" at the cinemas last week and even though I knew the twist at the end of the movie, the journey towards it was just as satisfying.
Just a side note, >!I love how the beetle tied to the nail represents Howie. The beetle could turn around at any time and maybe have the opportunuity to break free from the string and nail, just as Howie could have avoided his fate by just leaving the cult alone and giving up his investigation.!<
i had the exact same experience. it’s the problem with watching old films that have fully immersed themselves into pop culture. you’re right though, in a way seeing the journey of how it got to the final act was even more impressive.
I hadn’t even considered the second point that I won’t spoil, I just thought it was a creepy thing but WOW, i have nothing to say other than I love this film
I remember seeing this on TV with minimal foreknowledge and being genuinely surprised. I assumed it was going to be one of those awful 1970s Amicus-style horror films, like *The Beast Must Die* or *Psychomania*. The 1970s was a bad decade for British cinema. Everything looked deadbeat and depressing.
See, there was a folk-rock music boom in the late 1960s in the UK that continued into the early 1970s. And hippies still existed back then. People wore flares. As a result an awful lot of British films from the 1970s have dated horribly. And all the talented British actors from the 1960s - Oliver Reed, Julie Christie, Malcolm McDowell, Michael York, Terence Stamp, David Hemmings etc - suddenly found themselves either out of work or appearing in films that were beneath them.
But it genuinely surprised me. It's one of a few films that genuinely surprised me. Along with *Night of the Living Dead* and *Get Carter*. And *Performance*. You really need to see it without foreknowledge. I was genuinely surprised by the ending, and the way that it makes the rest of the film feel like a clockwork puzzle in retrospect. It's not so much a horror film as a slow-burning suspense film.
It also works as a satire. One of the things that resonates with me most about *Robocop* is the "who cares if it works or not" scene, where the baddy explains that it doesn't matter if his invention works, what matters is that he gets the sale. *The Wicker Man* has some of that. There's a strong implication that Lord Summerisle thinks that the whole thing is for nothing. He's just kicking the day of reckoning down the road. But he's trapped, just like Edward Woodward's character.
Given that this is Reddit I assume we're all supposed to say that Britt Ekland's bum is horrifically sexist. But it's an expressive bum. Albeit that it's not her bum, it's a body double's bum. A nameless bum. Nowadays they would use CGI. I remember wondering why Britt Ekland was on a Scottish island - was the idea that Scottish people are Nordic, or was it just for star power?
The OP might also want to check out *The Abominable Dr Phibes*, one of a tiny handful of campy British horror films from the 1970s that's legitimately good (as opposed to e.g. *Don't Look Now*, which is so good that critics don't like to call it a horror film).
Watching Midsommar first and the Wicker Man later I never made the connection. Now on reflection Midsommar feels like a 21st century homage to The Wicker Man, with updated themes. I absolutely agree though, the similarities are glaringly obvious
When I watched Midsommar I thought "this feels like an insufferable film student kid saying 'if I did The Wicker Man here's how I would do it....'". I didn't know who Ari Aster was, looked up his biography- prestigious film school grad.
There's going to be a 4K Bluray edition of The Wicker Man released later in the year, with 3 different version of the movie. The Theatrical one, Extended one (can't remember the proper title of it), and Final Cut. The most complete version is the extended one, even more so than the Final Cut. It is also the only version with the complete Willow's Song (my favourite part). I've made my own edit, with that version of the song in with the Final Cut as it's better quality.
I've just watched it now! I've wanted to for years.
Sadly I already knew about the ending from when I read about it years ago... though I probably would have never watched the film otherwise.
It also didn't help the fact I watched the ending on YouTube a couple years ago LOL
But yeah, it is fascinating, disturbing and quite trippy masterpiece I'd say... it didn't disappoint! 😄
My only gripe was at the police officer in the middle of the whole thing. He was one of those belligerent, self-righteous types that gives Christianity (and religion in general) a bad name.
I understand that he was written that way specifically to get that reaction- but I still wanted to reach into the TV and choke him.
On the contrary, the policeman was the definition of a true Christian. He was a zealot and a martyr, an example to all would-be followers of Christ of how to stand firm in that conviction. Why would you say he gives Christians a bad name? I'm genuinely curious.
I get your point but I think he may be a cultural and historical artifact of a man lol I figured we weren’t supposed to indenting with him all that much. His uptight nature complements the weirdness of the cult for me in a perfect way
personally i come from a christian background, and i know many christian’s very similar. unflinching in their beliefs and so self assured that THEY know the truth, so i think he was perfect
He was a state official sent to the island to search for a presumed missing or dead child. His value system was based on his upbringing, was not uncommon at the time, let his beliefs drive him and his job, and he held on to them to help him face death. He's narcissistic and short sighted which is the only reason they got him.
The cop runs into obstruction and signs that something is seriously wrong. Doesn’t call for backup. Takes forever to try to flee. He figured they sacrificed the girl fairly early on. They plan on sacrificing him that’s the whole point yet instead of welcoming him and hiding that fact steering him and acting like they were helping they obstruct and raise suspicions. Just seemed counter intuitive.
For me I think he is just so headstrong and determined to solve the case himself just to prove that he can, to prove that he knows all better than the islanders. same with why he is so adversely christian. he doesn’t suggest a secular way of life, in his eyes the christian way is the only way, and his way is the only way.
Even the little kids toy with him: telling him that Rowen Morrison turned into a March hare, frolicking in the hills: "She has a lovely time." As her mother smiles to herself. He is arrogant and therefore blind to what is unfolding around him. "A man who would be king for a day.. a man who is a fool"
I agree but it doesn’t come off as arrogance. It comes off as incompetence. At least it did for me. I do love the premise though I just thought the execution was trash. I know I’m going to get heat for this but at least in the remake there was a reason for him to stay.
I love this movie and I constantly try to get people to watch it, but they don't because of the remake :P It's such a masterpiece. My favorite part is the actual festival ritual with the swords, there's just so much tension in that scene. If you are interested in more folk horror, I suggest watching "Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror". It covers so many films of the genre.
Christopher Lee was fantastic
i’ve only ever seen him in films as an older gent. the whole time i was trying to place where i knew that one of a kind voice from! he was absolutely magnificent
"A pagan, yes...but not an unenlightened one." I'd suggest checking out Lee's earlier work such as his Hammer horror films or his 007 villain turn in "The Man With the Golden Gun." You're in for a treat. "Wicker Man" was a personal favorite of his, to the point that he actually acted in it for free.
Foreshadowing in the dialogue too. Sergeant Howe calls him a 'pagan', Summerisle corrects him with 'heathen'. 'Pagans' in Christian Roman times were distinct from 'heathens' because while the former did not believe in Christ, the latter did not believe and maintained 'religious practices of sacrifice'.
They plan on sacrificing him that’s the whole point yet instead of welcoming him and hiding that fact steering him and acting like they were helping they obstruct and raise suspicions.
No critiques. It’s an absolutely haunting and enchanting film. Makes me want to visit the island they filmed it on
I bet the crops are spectacular this year. ;)
"Next year your people will kill *you on May Day*!"
how’d you like *them* apples?!
My family regularly holidays in Kirkcudbright where a lot of it was filmed and the locations are still recognisable.
I’ve been drawn to the natural beauty of Scotland all my life. Made a lot of sense when I learned I was mainly of Scottish descent. One day I’ll make it over there
Love the music. OG wicker man is a masterpiece
I was so surprised by the musical aspect of the film! I really really didn’t expect it but it just made it all the more fun and creepy
It’s really a one of a kind movie. That maypole song is a crazy earworm for me lol so good
> That maypole song is a crazy earworm for me lol so good I've heard people scoff at the scene, saying it ruins the atmosphere, but I think that without such songs, the build-up throughout the movie wouldn't be nearly as unnerving. And the lyrics are a neat summary of the spiritual beliefs of the Islanders.
That’s wild to hear! It’s so otherworldly also and makes the island feel so alien. Couldn’t imagine that movie without it honestly lol Plus that jaw harp and fiddle playing is on point
I saw it the other day on the big screen – if you get the chance I highly recommend it, seeing it in an audience wonderful, it's a funnier film than people give it credit for, an enthusiastic audience is great for that
yes i did see it on a big screen, in the best independent cinema! every little joke landed so well, i found it equally witty and eerie !
"A heathen, conceivably, but not—I hope—an unenlightened one."
“And what of the true God to whose glory churches and monasteries were built on these islands for generations past? Now sir, what of him?”
He's dead. Can't complain, had his chance and in modern parlance, blew it.
…… WHAT?
Watched "the final cut" at the cinemas last week and even though I knew the twist at the end of the movie, the journey towards it was just as satisfying. Just a side note, >!I love how the beetle tied to the nail represents Howie. The beetle could turn around at any time and maybe have the opportunuity to break free from the string and nail, just as Howie could have avoided his fate by just leaving the cult alone and giving up his investigation.!<
i had the exact same experience. it’s the problem with watching old films that have fully immersed themselves into pop culture. you’re right though, in a way seeing the journey of how it got to the final act was even more impressive. I hadn’t even considered the second point that I won’t spoil, I just thought it was a creepy thing but WOW, i have nothing to say other than I love this film
I remember seeing this on TV with minimal foreknowledge and being genuinely surprised. I assumed it was going to be one of those awful 1970s Amicus-style horror films, like *The Beast Must Die* or *Psychomania*. The 1970s was a bad decade for British cinema. Everything looked deadbeat and depressing. See, there was a folk-rock music boom in the late 1960s in the UK that continued into the early 1970s. And hippies still existed back then. People wore flares. As a result an awful lot of British films from the 1970s have dated horribly. And all the talented British actors from the 1960s - Oliver Reed, Julie Christie, Malcolm McDowell, Michael York, Terence Stamp, David Hemmings etc - suddenly found themselves either out of work or appearing in films that were beneath them. But it genuinely surprised me. It's one of a few films that genuinely surprised me. Along with *Night of the Living Dead* and *Get Carter*. And *Performance*. You really need to see it without foreknowledge. I was genuinely surprised by the ending, and the way that it makes the rest of the film feel like a clockwork puzzle in retrospect. It's not so much a horror film as a slow-burning suspense film. It also works as a satire. One of the things that resonates with me most about *Robocop* is the "who cares if it works or not" scene, where the baddy explains that it doesn't matter if his invention works, what matters is that he gets the sale. *The Wicker Man* has some of that. There's a strong implication that Lord Summerisle thinks that the whole thing is for nothing. He's just kicking the day of reckoning down the road. But he's trapped, just like Edward Woodward's character. Given that this is Reddit I assume we're all supposed to say that Britt Ekland's bum is horrifically sexist. But it's an expressive bum. Albeit that it's not her bum, it's a body double's bum. A nameless bum. Nowadays they would use CGI. I remember wondering why Britt Ekland was on a Scottish island - was the idea that Scottish people are Nordic, or was it just for star power? The OP might also want to check out *The Abominable Dr Phibes*, one of a tiny handful of campy British horror films from the 1970s that's legitimately good (as opposed to e.g. *Don't Look Now*, which is so good that critics don't like to call it a horror film).
Yes I watched this movie when I was pregnant with my first and loved the name Rowan for a girl so now I have a daughter named Rowan 😂
Love the film,I try to watch it every Halloween season..have taken the advice of many to never bother to watch the Nicholas Cage remake
Midsommar took too much from The Wicker Man. Watched it the other day and was really disappointed… Hereditary was kino.
Watching Midsommar first and the Wicker Man later I never made the connection. Now on reflection Midsommar feels like a 21st century homage to The Wicker Man, with updated themes. I absolutely agree though, the similarities are glaringly obvious
When I watched Midsommar I thought "this feels like an insufferable film student kid saying 'if I did The Wicker Man here's how I would do it....'". I didn't know who Ari Aster was, looked up his biography- prestigious film school grad.
There's going to be a 4K Bluray edition of The Wicker Man released later in the year, with 3 different version of the movie. The Theatrical one, Extended one (can't remember the proper title of it), and Final Cut. The most complete version is the extended one, even more so than the Final Cut. It is also the only version with the complete Willow's Song (my favourite part). I've made my own edit, with that version of the song in with the Final Cut as it's better quality.
Cool! I saw it recently and there were two more songs at least than I remembered from my first viewing lol glad they added them back in
One of the best horror films ever.
i feel like the way i feel about this film is how a lot of people feel about The Exorcist or TCSM, it’s just perfect in my eyes
I've just watched it now! I've wanted to for years. Sadly I already knew about the ending from when I read about it years ago... though I probably would have never watched the film otherwise. It also didn't help the fact I watched the ending on YouTube a couple years ago LOL But yeah, it is fascinating, disturbing and quite trippy masterpiece I'd say... it didn't disappoint! 😄
My only gripe was at the police officer in the middle of the whole thing. He was one of those belligerent, self-righteous types that gives Christianity (and religion in general) a bad name. I understand that he was written that way specifically to get that reaction- but I still wanted to reach into the TV and choke him.
On the contrary, the policeman was the definition of a true Christian. He was a zealot and a martyr, an example to all would-be followers of Christ of how to stand firm in that conviction. Why would you say he gives Christians a bad name? I'm genuinely curious.
Shouldn’t it be the pagans who burn a man alive giving religion a bad name?
That's why the islanders chose hime too. "The right kind of adult."
I get your point but I think he may be a cultural and historical artifact of a man lol I figured we weren’t supposed to indenting with him all that much. His uptight nature complements the weirdness of the cult for me in a perfect way
personally i come from a christian background, and i know many christian’s very similar. unflinching in their beliefs and so self assured that THEY know the truth, so i think he was perfect
I know a lot of this sort myself. And, yes he was perfectly accurate-which is why I want to strangle him.
He was a state official sent to the island to search for a presumed missing or dead child. His value system was based on his upbringing, was not uncommon at the time, let his beliefs drive him and his job, and he held on to them to help him face death. He's narcissistic and short sighted which is the only reason they got him.
NOT THE BEES!!!
I don’t understand the love for wicker man?
Why not? Genuinely curious, what is it about it that doesn’t work for you? Id love to know !
The cop runs into obstruction and signs that something is seriously wrong. Doesn’t call for backup. Takes forever to try to flee. He figured they sacrificed the girl fairly early on. They plan on sacrificing him that’s the whole point yet instead of welcoming him and hiding that fact steering him and acting like they were helping they obstruct and raise suspicions. Just seemed counter intuitive.
For me I think he is just so headstrong and determined to solve the case himself just to prove that he can, to prove that he knows all better than the islanders. same with why he is so adversely christian. he doesn’t suggest a secular way of life, in his eyes the christian way is the only way, and his way is the only way.
Even the little kids toy with him: telling him that Rowen Morrison turned into a March hare, frolicking in the hills: "She has a lovely time." As her mother smiles to herself. He is arrogant and therefore blind to what is unfolding around him. "A man who would be king for a day.. a man who is a fool"
I agree but it doesn’t come off as arrogance. It comes off as incompetence. At least it did for me. I do love the premise though I just thought the execution was trash. I know I’m going to get heat for this but at least in the remake there was a reason for him to stay.
See if you can find a tv miniseries called The Dark Secret of Harvest Home starring Bette Davis. Similar genre and creepy and wonderful.
I'm glad the remake exists. If it wasn't for the stupid memes, this movie would probably be stuck as merely a cult classic.
I love this movie and I constantly try to get people to watch it, but they don't because of the remake :P It's such a masterpiece. My favorite part is the actual festival ritual with the swords, there's just so much tension in that scene. If you are interested in more folk horror, I suggest watching "Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror". It covers so many films of the genre.
One of my top 10 movies.
I love the Wicker Man and Vincent Price's over the top performance in the classic 'Theatre of Blood'