Fortunately for fans of this genre, the film was made. It is a delight to watch and just as much fun to listen to. The soundtrack is exceptional and is great to listen to with the lights off and your eyes closed. It blends masterfully into the film.
Despite the dark feeling of the film, there is still an almost light-hearted attitude coming from the music that makes it hard to even consider that something strange or evil could ever happen.
Edward Woodward gives one of his finest performances as the bewildered Sgt. Howie. He plays his character with such conviction. Howie's final understanding of just what is actually going on is shown so well that it adds even more of a realistic tone to the film.
His strong religious feelings don't mesh well with the free love paganistic society, which will evoke both a small laugh and a bit of a squirmy feeling from the viewer at the same time. The somewhat obvious look at personal faith and differing attitudes is strong in the movie and should make all who watch it question their own feelings and source of faith.
The film is not just well made, it also has beautiful photography and a great cast. It reaches a point with the viewer that so many other films wish they could. It opens up your own belief system, making you question it.
Beyond a doubt, "The Wicker Man" is a film that will stay in the mind of the viewer long after the final credits have ended – and isn't that what a really good movie should do?
Directed by Robin Hardy
Written by Anthony Shaffer
Cast: Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland, Ingrid Pitt
Rating: Not Rated
Runtime:187 Minutes
Label: Anchor Bay
Studio: Anchor Bay
Release Date: 2006-12-19
DVD Format: 2-Disc Keep Case, Widescreen Anamorphic, 1.85:1, Closed Captioned, Color
DVD Features: Audio Track 1: English, Dolby Digital 5.1, Audio Track 2: English, Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround, Audio Track 3: Commentary by Director Robin Hardy, Christopher Lee, Edward Woodward, Mark Kermode, Dolby Digital 2.0
The Wicker Man Enigma: Featuring interviews with Stars Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee and Ingrid Pitt, Director Robin Hardy, Producer Peter Snell, Writer Anthony Shaffer, Editor Eric Boyd-Perkins, Art Director Seamus Flannery, Assistant Director Jake Wright, U.S. Distributor John Simon, and Filmmaker Roger Corman
Theatrical Trailer
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Article comments
1 - Simon
Does anybody know if this has English subtitles for the heard of hearing?
2 - kara buckmaster
I was reading your review and thought to point out something to you. There is no Sgt. Howie played by Edward Woodward. Edward Woodward is the main character played by Nicolas Cage. I don't understand how you came to write that, but it is wrong.
3 - larry stanley
Hi Kara. Nick Cage played a character named Edward Malus in the 2006 remake of the 1973 original, which stared Edward Woodward as Sgt. Howie.
The original is far superior in my opinion.
Larry Stanley