The Wicker Man

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The Wicker Man

Released Aug 7, 1974

1h 42m

Mystery & Thriller

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

66 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) arrives on the small Scottish island of Summerisle to investigate the report of a missing child. A conservative Christian, the policeman observes the residents' frivolous sexual displays and strange pagan rituals, particularly the temptations of Willow (Britt Ekland), daughter of the island magistrate, Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee). The more Sergeant Howie learns about the islanders' strange practices, the closer he gets to tracking down the missing child.

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Critics Consensus

This intelligent horror film is subtle in its thrills and chills, with an ending that is both shocking and truly memorable.

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Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

The gothic ambiance and mood synonymous with the era's familiar tales of unholy menace is wholly absent. If there is evil here, it doesn't know it's evil.

Rated: B-

Oct 29, 2008

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Variety Staff

Variety

Anthony Shaffer penned the screenplay which, for sheer imagination and near-terror, has seldom been equalled.

Oct 7, 2008

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Robin Hardy's 1973 cult horror film passed through several distributors, several versions, and several bankruptcies, picking up a powerful reputation along the way.

Oct 7, 2008

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Chance Solem-Pfeifer

Willamette Week

It’s pure ritualistic spectacle with Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee) presiding over some of the greatest cinematography in horror movie history.

Jan 22, 2025

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Chase Hutchinson

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

It’s both deeply unsettling and consistently visually vibrant—a foundational work of folk horror that puts all other films about faith to absolute shame.

Jul 25, 2024

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Bianca Garner

The Film Bee

I think what makes The Wicker Man so disturbing is the way that the filmmakers depict the dangers of cult mentality and the horror of belonging to an isolated community.

May 16, 2024

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Shaun R

Overrated nonsense. Nothing about this film deserves classic status.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/08/25

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Alan R

Truly awful and overrated. Cult classic status does not excuse bad accents, bad locations, bad music, bad acting, bad eroticism, and a bad wig on Christopher Lee. As a Scottish Highlander it grates in all cultural aspects.. and as for the fake imported Stonehenge, it is as false as the ludicrous wig on Christopher Lee. The best bit for me was the end shot. Otherwise the Emperor's new clothes tale applies.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/24/25

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SkyRo P

The Wicker Man, a film that debuted in 1973, tells the story of a community on a remote island, living by their own unique customs. When a police officer arrives from the mainland to investigate a mysterious case, he soon discovers the island's dark secrets. The film takes a shocking turn as the antagonist prevails in the end, diverging from the conventional hero's journey. While I appreciate the film's intriguing elements and its atmospheric storytelling, I found it to be somewhat drawn out and occasionally repetitive. However, I recognize that it was groundbreaking for its time, influencing many subsequent films in the genre. Despite its critical acclaim, I didn't find it particularly engaging or enjoyable. While it’s not a movie I would choose to watch again, I think it could be worth a look for those interested in historical cinema and the creative storytelling of that era. Ultimately, though, I wouldn't recommend it as a repeat viewing experience.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/16/25

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Garry A

This movie about the weird inhabitants on an island and their pagen rituals is strange, but interesting. It doesn't feel like a horror movie until the final 15 minutes.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/14/25

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Vitor O

The movie that arguably helped to start the folk horror movie the most, The Wicker Man is an excellent tale about the clash between a Christian cop searching for the missing of a child and a scottish community that believed in the old gods. This movie is excellent in its entirety. However, the ending will send chills down your spine.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/20/25

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Thomas S

The golden standard when it comes to folk horror. Plain and simple.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/04/25

Full Review

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Robin Hardy

Director

Edward Woodward

Sergeant Neil Howie

Christopher Lee

Lord Summerisle

Britt Ekland

Willow

Diane Cilento

Miss Rose

Lindsay Kemp

Alder MacGreagor

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Synopsis

Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) arrives on the small Scottish island of Summerisle to investigate the report of a missing child. A conservative Christian, the policeman observes the residents' frivolous sexual displays and strange pagan rituals, particularly the temptations of Willow (Britt Ekland), daughter of the island magistrate, Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee). The more Sergeant Howie learns about the islanders' strange practices, the closer he gets to tracking down the missing child.

Director: Robin Hardy
Producer: Peter Snell
Screenwriter: Anthony Shaffer
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: British Lion Film Corporation
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 7, 1974, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jul 7, 2023
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 6, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $61.8K
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Flat (1.85:1)

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