My WICKER MAN Review...

**Brandon Jones** · 20th May 2002, 03:36 AM

I just finished viewing the Wicker Man all the way through for the first time. I had seen bits and pieces of it in my early childhood, (I'm 22 now) when my horror-obsessed older brother would make me watch.

I must say, I was left awestruck. As the final credits started rolling, I realized my stomach was in knots, and I was staring blankly at the screen. Even as I'm typing this, my stomach is still twisted! I have to say, in my opinion, the ending is by far one of the strangest & frightening scenes I've ever seen.

Edward Woodward plays the Christian police officer from the mainland obsessed with finding the missing Rowan Morrison. His performance is no less believable than Lee's. Britt Eckland also stars in this film, who was reduced to nothing more than a nude dancing tart.

Christopher Lee's performance was of course, impeccable. He looks so strange with that hairdo. I can see how Mr. Lee would have enjoyed playing such a part. Summerisle was a crafty fellow, yet not entirely a villain persay. Merely...a nutcase with a strange set of beliefs. What is particularly frightening about this film is that you believe that this could truly happen in real life.

So in closing, if you're looking for a film you will ponder over for a few hours...or perhaps a few days...then choose The Wicker Man. I for one won't be forgetting this film anytime soon. And who would've thought Christopher Lee had such a wonderful singing voice?

**Matt Gemmell** · 20th May 2002, 10:48 AM

Its always good to see someones reaction to a film that I hold in such high regard . I'm glad you enjoyed it . Even though it has been considered somewhat of a cult film and underappreciated , until recently , you'd be surprised at some of the reactions........ eg . Many years ago I was a cop in the city of Glasgow . I loved working there but wanted to be nearer my family in the west coast so applied for a transfer of duties .
When I received my new posting to Ayrshire one of my older colleagues ( whom I never took for a film buff ) shouted " Matt are you mad ? that's Wicker Man country down there".
Well........maybe so but I like it .

**David Vasser** · 21st May 2002, 01:10 PM

Hi S.R.! You have a good review there. My review of TWM got botched in the posting on the review area of the site and was all bunched together with no paragraph spacing but you hit a lot of the same points I did and a few I didn't. I don't think I commented on the hair.

While his hair certainly was strange in the closing scenes, I found his wardrobe throughout the film most unusual also! I don't think this film would have been as good if they had just dressed Mr. Lee like the "commoners". His May Day maiden outfit was especially fetching. The dress, hair and makeup were just "so" right, then you hear his voice and it creates such a delicious contradiction.

A film rich in nuances, in TWM you'll invariably find something new to think about every single time you view it. Very few films have that rare and golden magic. This one had it in spades.

The dialog in this film was very believable and natural. The location selection outstanding. The simplistic folk music soundtrack holds up.

Ms. Ekland is so beautiful in this film. Her night dance sequence was a source of much youthful lust by this viewer. I found it one of the most effective erotic scenes ever filmed to this day and how Sgt. Howie resisted, I'll never know.
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Hi MATT! Did they give you your own airplane when you moved out west?

**Alfonso Casal** · 21st May 2002, 06:31 PM

Here's something I've always wondered about, "Wicker-wise:"

Nothing is ever done on a film with out a reason for it's being there. Even if the reason is "We couldn't afford anything else." OK, that being said, why does Lord Summerisle wear sneakers throughout the film (except for the scene with Miss Rose when he's in Sctos garb)?

I think the sneakers are meant to symbolize something. In the novel, Shaffer and Hardy make constant reference to them. In fact, there's a scene early on in the novel where we recognize Summerisle, long before his "official" appearance, by the sneakers a 'mysterious character' is wearing.

So, what's up with the sneakers? Any ideas?

**Matt Gemmell** · 21st May 2002, 06:32 PM

Hi Dave
An airplane would have been nice , but not in my lifetime . Still at least the locals did'nt introduce me to a Wicker Man..............well not yet. I've just viewed the new DVD of TWM with the excellent commentary by Lee , Woodward and Hardy .
It's got to be the most complete presentation of a Horror classic I have seen . I can't beleive that I was unaware that some of the wicker man is still standing on a clifftop only a couple of hours drive from my house .Now I know I shouldn't but I can't resist going down for a visit.......... I'm only going to take a splinter and add it to the DVD case then it will be truly complete. I'll let you know how I get on .

**Alfonso Casal** · 21st May 2002, 06:37 PM

Quote:

He looks so strange with that hairdo.

I think the whole point of the style of the wig was to make Summerisle look more "mod." Make him into a "contemporary" feudal despot -- "A heathen, conceivabley, but not, I trust, an unenlightened one."

The color, I think, was to make Mr. Lee appear more Celtic and less Italian.

noblerot · 21st May 2002, 07:32 PM

The sneakers could imply deception, I suppose.

**Matt Gemmell** · 21st May 2002, 07:50 PM

Hi Alfonso
I'm not sure if the sneakers are meant to be symbolic of something but I can tell you one thing . I've met a few Lairds over the years and they can be quite eccentric with regards to dress sense so it would be nothing unusual believe me . ( Laird is the correct expression in Scotland for a Lord which is an English title )

**Brandon Jones** · 23rd May 2002, 12:02 AM

Is it me or was there also a MAJOR editing error? I seem to remember Christopher Lee dancing around with the black wig on and white face paint when Rowan was finally revealed at the top of the rock cleft. When the policeman ran up to rescue her and came out on the opposite side, Lee was in his normal getup without all the makeup!?

**Alfonso Casal** · 28th May 2002, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Is it me or was there also a MAJOR editing error? I seem to remember Christopher Lee dancing around with the black wig on and white face paint when Rowan was finally revealed at the top of the rock cleft. When the policeman ran up to rescue her and came out on the opposite side, Lee was in his normal getup without all the makeup!?

No, no continuity error. "The Teaser" costume was only for the ceremonial procession, just like the "Hobby-Horse" and "Punch" (notice the character of 'Oak,' who was the "Hobby-Horse," is also seen in street clothes at the end.) Once the procession was over, one assumes the characters returned to their normal attire.

**Brandon Jones** · 29th May 2002, 12:39 AM

I still think it's an editing error. Why would Lord Summerisle be on the beach with rock cliffs everywhere, wearing white face paint and a black wig....then only ten minutes later look back to normal with no face paint? What did they carry wet naps out with them to wipe the make up off? Ridiculous...but there's a point nonetheless. haha!

**Alfonso Casal** · 29th May 2002, 03:47 AM

Quote:

I still think it's an editing error. Why would Lord Summerisle be on the beach with rock cliffs everywhere, wearing white face paint and a black wig....then only ten minutes later look back to normal with no face paint? What did they carry wet naps out with them to wipe the make up off? Ridiculous...but there's a point nonetheless. haha!

No. I still don't see a continuity error. Even less, a logical one. In fact, it makes sense he and 'Oak' would doff their costumes. Afterall, as Summerisle says to Howie "The game's over." As for wet naps. . . hey, sure. . . a towel even.

**Matt Gemmell** · 29th May 2002, 11:47 PM

Just came back from visiting The Wicker Man locations near me .My mate and I were stunned when we saw the caves and clifftops at Burrowhead ( it all looks exactly the same ) they were beautiful . Then we saw it ........ the remains of The Wicker Man , two large stumps below the knee . If you let your imagination go it can be quite spooky . Anyway i've now completed my collection for the movie as I placed a small piece of wood from the stumps into my DVD box set which is now truly part of The Wicker Man , childish ? yeah probably but life's too short.

**Jacob Remery** · 29th May 2002, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Anyway i've now completed my collection for the movie as I placed a small piece of wood from the stumps into my DVD box set which is now truly part of The Wicker Man , childish ? yeah probably but life's too short.

Childish? Not at all.
Since you live closeby. Could you go back again?
I wouldn't mind having a small small piece of wood from
the stumps into my DVD box either. :D

If i ever visit Georgetown/Washington i will make sure
i'll visit the stairs they used for The Exorcist.
A small piece of rock near that stairs will have to come with me. ;)

**Matt Gemmell** · 30th May 2002, 12:10 AM

Jacob , I'll be going back in a couple of weeks so be patient . If all goes ok I'll also post a photo of the location with yours truly extracting the wood...............wait a minute , that sounded very rude . Och you know what I mean.........see we Scots do say och.