Back in about 1973-4 I went to see a double bill of films at a cinema in Baker St london (The Times? Classic?)I went specifically to see "Dont Look Now" (an excellent film in its own right) I had No Idea what "the Wicker Man" was about, and watched fascinated at the first portrayal of any kind of pagan beliefs I had ever seen in the cinema,(that weren't from The parodied, bowdlerised, very fevered imaginings of Dennis Wheatly, Stoker and Mary Shelley via Hammer)That seemed to treat the beliefs with, if not sympathy, at least some understanding that the Judeo-Christian was not the only Western spiritual path. As the film neared the ending I was CERTAIN they would wimp out, and Howie would be rescued,right up to the end, as the sun touched the horizon and the head of the Giant fell in flames I sat in my seat stunned!!! I could not believe they had followed through, and treated their audience as adults, and thinking adults at that,It made an impression on me that has lasted. The debate about "short" v "long" version, I found the "bit before the titles" and the banter in the police station (in the "long" version) very informative regarding the rigid Calvinistic beliefs of the sarjeant and his lack of tolerence and flexibility. I prefer that Long version.