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The Wicker Man

Play trailer Poster for The Wicker Man R Released Aug 7, 1974 1h 42m Mystery & Thriller Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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The Wicker Man

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review Variety Staff Variety Anthony Shaffer penned the screenplay which, for sheer imagination and near-terror, has seldom been equalled. Oct 7, 2008 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review June Butler Film Ireland Magazine The Wicker Man is an epithet to the desecration of purity. Mar 18, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Peter v A creatively and stylefully shot horrorcomedy where the protagonist is a fool who is constantly in enraged shock by the outrageous agan habits of the small island soceity he is visiting to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. This unfolds into a delightful spiral into madness, as this royalist christian copper reveals himself not to be the kind that wants to save the heathens, but ultimately curse them when he finally realises he never had any resemblance of a upperhand at all. Something the audience was delightfully aware all along. The performances are all great, the set- and costume designs excellent. The movie shines in it's musical sequences where even our cleancut, prude protagonist finds himself enthralled and bewitched into experiencing and confronting his own desires to be sinful. Highly entertaining, would highly recommend. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/12/24 Full Review Matt S An absolute masterpiece. A film you cannot place into any category; totally unique. Strangely uplifting too. Perhaps it's the community spirit that appeals ! You will have to watch it to understand. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/16/24 Full Review Edward P This is such an unsettling film. It’s brilliant. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/23/24 Full Review Bucky D One of my favorites. A great psychological horror movie with Lee and Woodward whom I'm a big fan of. I had to watch it twice to really figure out why Woodward's character was targeted. I love the landlord's daughter song and representation of the island's odd customs. Then the climax ending with Lee and the townsfolk singing and swaying as the wicker man burns. It's a masterpiece. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/19/24 Full Review Stephen U Both entertaining and terrifying at the same time. The weirdness keeps you invested right up until the end. I've been hesitant to recommend it to others simply due to the shocking ending Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/13/24 Full Review Jonathan G This most definitely inspired Aster’s Midsommar. “The Wicker Man” is a horror… musical? Shocking, but it executes its genres in a certain way that makes this feels like one of the most influential horror films of all time. Christopher Lee knocks this out, is still unarguably one of our best actors of all time, and the cinematography and directorial choices are all bangers. Completely atmospheric in every way. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/04/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

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
Rating
R
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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