The Wicker Man - Review

“They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins” – a review of The Wicker Man. 

It has been over 50 years since The Wicker Man first appeared on the big screen, and it still holds up today. The cult classic folk horror explores themes of religious intolerance, the power of community, sacrifice and the dangers of blind faith in a dark but often amusing way. Starring the legendary Christopher Lee as a Lord of a remote, fictional Scottish island, this film combines folk tales, psychological horror and comedy to explore difficult themes in a truly gripping manner which is sure to thrill audiences.

When a young girl disappears on the remote Scottish island of Summerisle, devout Christian Sergeant Neil Howie arrives to investigate. He encounters local people, some friendly, some cold, but all who have abandoned Christianity in favour of Paganism. Led by the charismatic, manipulative Lord Summerisle, the islanders have a variety of Pagan rituals and beliefs, including fertility rites and sun worship, much to the distaste of Howie. What disturbs the Sergeant more however is the reaction of the islanders to his investigation. Rowan Morrison is a missing 12-year-old girl, but rather than the islanders being concerned for her welfare, they claim that she never existed. Howie of course doesn’t believe them and continues his investigation. What follows is a bizarre and gripping tale as Howie uncovers a sinister plot, which includes rituals and human sacrifice. You’re left on the edge of your seat as you watch and wait to see whether Howie will be able to save Rowan – and himself – from this dark demise.

This is a film unlike other horrors. It doesn’t rely on traditional tropes, so you won’t find blood and gore or jump scares here. Instead, this is a thought-provoking narrative which relies on the audience to make up their own minds about the goings on in Summerisle. Whilst it is often unsettling and the events that unfold are strange to say the least, the film does comment on the issues with judgement and tradition, as well as religious differences. Howie was disgusted with the islanders; the schools didn’t teach Christianity favouring Pagan teachings instead, nudity was common and nothing to be ashamed of, and isolation from the rest of society was the norm. Could it be said that the investigation would have moved quicker if Howie had been more open to learning about the islander’s ways? Could everything have been avoided had the islanders been exposed to life outside their own social bubble?

The islanders had a sensual, naturalistic worldview, honouring and worshipping nature and performing rituals for fertility and in order to guarantee a good harvest. The clash of beliefs between Howie and the islanders makes for an intriguing story, with Howie being a strict man of the Christian faith, saving himself for marriage and being completely unable and unwilling to understand the islanders own belief systems.

Were the islanders barbaric? Human sacrifice is certainly not a way I would like to see a society run, yet I did often find them to be quite sympathetic. The islanders share an unbreakable bond, coming together in a shared love of nature and music. Indeed, the islanders often communicated through song, something the straight-faced Sergeant couldn’t stand. Something this film does brilliantly is show the dangers of isolation – these people were led by a charismatic figure they were loyal to and had unwavering belief in their religion, which meant that no matter what the Sergeant said or did, they would always truly believe that their actions were not immoral and were completely vital. This clash of cultures and beliefs made the film such a clever and exciting experience.

I won’t spoil the ending here, but the film culminates in a shocking display of pagan imagery and violence which is sure to stay with you long after you’ve finished it. At only 88 minutes, this is not a long film, rather a short but perfectly paced masterpiece, blending genres and cultures to create something truly unsettling, tense and exhilarating. If you’ve never seen The Wicker Man and you’re a fan of horror or folk tales, this one is for you. Despite being over 50 years old, the psychological horror and messaging throughout makes this film an absolute must-watch.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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