The Wicker Man (1973)

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Director: Robin Hardy

Writer: Anthony Shaffer

Stars: Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Diane Cilento, Britt Ekland, Ingrid Pitt, Lindsay Kemp, Russell Waters, Aubrey Morris



Investigating the disappearance of a young girl, a devout Christian police detective (Edward Woodward) visits an island whose inhabitants observe pagan rites from Britain’s ancient past. 



When he finally solves the mystery, it is one of the great reveals in all of cinema.

 


Director Robin Hardy’s horror classic doesn’t need gore or violence, instead relying on a weird, creepy atmosphere and a sense of building menace as Woodward’s rigidly traditional religious views meet a quiet, impenetrable disdain from the townsfolk that does not seem to bode well.

 


Christopher Lee makes the most of an opportunity to play a more nuanced character than the Hammer monsters he had been known for, and his wonderful portrayal of the charming but menacing Lord Summerisle became one of his favorite roles.

 


Whether hidebound, controlling and repressed or hedonistic, wild, and primal, neither view of religion presented by this film is particularly flattering.


Spoiler alert!!! End of the movie!!


























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