Mini Film Review – The Wicker Man

Yesterday I watched The Wicker Man; and it was pretty good! Directed by Robin Hardy, and starring Edward Woodward, Britt Ekland, and Christopher Lee; The Wicker Man is a Folk Horror film based on the novel Ritual by David Pinner. The film follows a police sergeant who journeys to the Hebridean island of Summerisle, to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. It’s something of a strange film thematically, as though while it is described as a horror film, the horror element does not really come into it until the very end of the film. The rest of the film meanwhile presents itself more like a cross between both drama and thriller. It focuses deeply on the police sergeant, whose patience and faith is tested when he discovers the islanders have turned their backs on his own faith of Christianity, and have taken up Paganism. It is very much the definition of a Fish out of Water. This route of storytelling is interesting as it really helps to create the belief in the islanders that he is a fool to them; but from an audience perspective, it does mean some of the core background details (which could/would explain things a bit more), are now shrouded behind this new focus. It is an interesting film, but for a final cut, it does have some quality issues which are sadly hard to ignore. The film in it’s earlier shots jump from clear cut video, to rough cuts which just look out of place, especially given how much more clearer the footage is later on. Plus some of the synchronization between voices and mouths in the Chop, Chop, Chop, scene are hard to ignore too. But, these issues do go quite quickly, and as the ending draws ever more closer, and we are treated to a delectable, yet incredibly horrific feast of horror for the eyes; you forget about the issues, and reach down deep inside with a little desire to join in with the terrifying, but surprisingly upbeat, concluding festivities!