The Wicker Man (1973)




Director: Robin Hardy

A devout Christian policeman is sent to a Scottish island to investigate the disappearance there of a young girl. Before to long he discovers that the island's people are really godless pagans led by none other than Christopher Lee! That can't be good news for our little investigator now can it? Fearful that the islanders are planning to sacrifice the missing girl, whom he feels is still alive somewhere on the island, he begins a frantic search to save the girls life. Now I don't know about you, but if I were the only Christian on an island full of pagans, I'd get my ass off there and get reinforcements, I'll tell you that. I really enjoyed watching our investigator react to all the heathens around him as he embarks on his search. I take it that public orgies and naked girls jumping over fires aren't that common back on the Scottish Mainland. Seems like the perfect place for Pat Robertson to visit if you ask me. What I found really peculiar about this one, and what really throws you for a loop as you are watching it, is that certain scenes of the film could actually pass for being a musical! Here you are watching the film, and all of a sudden a character will break into song, sort of odd, but hey...it worked. I especially enjoyed the innkeepers daughter and her little song, which was both erotic and eerie at the same time. Loved the masks and costumes that the townspeople wore for their Mayday celebration, as well as all the pagan symbolism throughout the film, very creepy looking stuff. The last 15 minutes are pretty damn intense, and for anyone that can guess the films ending I'll give you credit. All in all a damn fine film, and one that really deserves the re-release treatment up on the big screen.


Exploitation/Cult
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