The Wicker Man (1973) Review

 

The Wicker Man (1973)

The Wicker Man follows Sgt. Howie, who is called from the mainland to investigate the disappearance of a girl on Summerisle. The community however holds a dark secret, with a grim fate planned for the detective. 

In what Sir Christopher Lee described as the finest role of his career (in which he worked for free), there’s no question that The Wicker Man has only gotten better, and more sinister, with time. From the onset, there is a deeply disturbing quality that is really hard to put your finger on. Perhaps it’s the people, or the constant vaguery’s and secrets, but whatever it is, it creates an eerily sinister atmosphere that contains an alarming feel of realism. Aside from the moral battle taking place (ya know, over the apparent sacrifice of a young girl), the battle of religious ideologies really comes into play here because obviously to a Christian like Howie, much of Summerisle and it’s Pagan practices are alarming. To these people though, it’s quite normal, a parallel that also reflects on the relationship between England and Scotland quite well to some extent. It’s no doubt bordering on occult behavior but until the sacrifice of Howie, do they really do anything wrong (Which is possibly the most unsettling question of all)?

Looming large over the entire picture is its inevitable ending though. Seeds are planted almost immediately, growing in abundance as Howie uncovers more and more, and while we strangely known it’s coming, there’s a certain playful feeling brought about by the lighthearted dancing and singing that helps to stave off the constant foreboding feeling longer than it should, making it wholly difficult to actually envision the evil that comes to occur. 

We get a rather interesting cast, featuring Diane Cilento, Britt Ekland, Christopher Lee, and Edward Woodward. Woodward is undeniably remarkable as Sgt. Howie, brilliantly conveying the same confusion, bewilderment, and horror as the rather dumbstrucken audience, but it’s Lee, who in such a brief role, chills us to the bone, that really stands out here. There’s a puzzling, calculated feel to his turn as a cultist leader that you can’t help be both mesmerized and terrified of with each unsettling line. 

The Wicker Man, directed by Robin Hardy, is the bizarre and chilling tale of a fool chosen to be king for a day, acting as a frightening insight into ancient Paganistic rituals transposed to the modern day in what is certainly one of the most uniquely eerie horror films to quite frankly see the light of day.

8.7/10