1973, Colour, 99 min.

With a new version of The Wicker Man to be released in theatres September 1st, I thought it would be appropriate to review the original in the hopes that others will see the classic horror flick for what it’s not. It is not a typical, generic, movie that carries itself on cheap scare tactics. I’m not impressed by the amount of remakes that have been plaguing the screens, especially when most remakes didn’t need or deserve to be done. I would rather see a remake that takes a magnificent plot, and adds effects that could not have been accomplished at the time, like The Langoliers. But because I’m such a fan of the first film, I’m going to see the remake anyway. I might change my opinion, but don’t hold your breath.

The Wicker Man was a horror film unlike any other. It banished the stereotypical creepy environment. No eerie dead trees and mist blanketing a full moon. Instead, you have lush green Scottish fields and fruit, horseback-riding, women dancing naked, drinking, merriment, and song. The very thing to get me in the mood to whip out the djembe and sing to the stars. Here to spoil the fun of these hedonistic Heathens from Summerisle we have a copper from the mainland: Sgt. Howie (Edward Woodward). When this buzz-kill receives a letter from the island about a girl missing for many months, Howie goes forth to investigate. The virgin Christian gasps in horror at the sight of jarred foreskins, public lovin’, and school children dancing around the maypole. Everywhere he goes the humorless Sgt. is subjected to this strange foreign culture, convincing him that the missing girl was murdered under circumstances of Pagan barbarities. I’m of the opinion that a horror film should be balanced out with some good humour, which is well met by the locals. Lord Summerisle, played by Christopher Lee, embodies the classy, fun loving, cheeky High Priest who contrasts Howie’s tight-assed character absolutley. Everyone conducts themselves innocently in the face of his annoyance and confusion, but each person is telling a different story. Something is definitley amiss. In comparison to the rest of The Wicker Man, the conclusion is blunt. I had spent a few hours trying to decide what the director was trying to say. I finally decided that he wasn’t actually trying to make any moral point, but rather meant to make the viewer uncomfortable. It succeded. But I must admit that a part of me was giggling, and that made me a little more uneasy.

A good horror film makes you think and forces you to address the feeling of uneasiness it leaves in the back of your mind. This classic does just that. There is no real sense of closure. With most horror films you can easily identify who the villains and heroes are. The Wicker Man dosn’t give you such an illusion, and so is just a bit closer to reality. There seems to be a bit of light and darkness with all the characters, and the fact that you don’t neccesarily see it right away makes the mystery that much more exciting. I am determined not to spoil the ending for those who haven’t seen it. So, as tempted as I am, I’m just going to leave you with this: As far as the ending is concerned, before you draw a conclusion about anything, consider that the producers thanked the real Lord Summerisle and the Heathen populace for helping to make the movie. Aside from that, look up the historical facts before you take it too seriously. It is a great horror movie that is also very fun and nostalgic.

[Originally appeared on No Official Capacity]