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Subject: The Wicker Man Movie From: GUEST,jim clark london england Date: 02 Nov 03 - 09:41 AM Has anybody seen the Wicker Man an amazing 1973 movie starring Edward Woodward as a lone police seargeant on the trail of a missing girl on the weirdest Scottish island imaginable inhabited by some of the spookiests pagan worshippers who believe in offering human sacrifice when the Island crop fails. Despite probably the tinniest soundtrack I can remember hearing in a movie it had a mesmerising series of acoustic songs. Alas about ten minutes from the end the tape I had recorded it on ran out so i'm still womdering what happened to the movies God fearing copper. I'd love to hear from others who have seen this unforgetable,unnerving film and what they make of it. Particularly anyone who can tell us a bit about how they came up with the beautiful spooky songs in it. Jim Clark Listen online to classic poems set 2 music & unique recordings of acoustic music |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: Alio Date: 02 Nov 03 - 09:50 AM The songs are great,I agree, but I find the film really disturbing! I think it's more frightening than many of the supposedly "scary" films! Ali |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: GUEST,jim clark london england Date: 02 Nov 03 - 09:56 AM Yes it certainly imbeds itself in the mind. I also wonder how close to historical fact the pagan rituals depicted are. JC |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca Date: 02 Nov 03 - 10:11 AM There have been previous threads on the movie or songs from the movie, The Wicker Man. Have a look at some of them: Wicker Man - Music |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: GUEST,jim clark london england Date: 02 Nov 03 - 10:23 AM Thanx George, I'll take a look JC |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: GUEST,jim clark london england Date: 02 Nov 03 - 10:38 AM Wow some great links George thanx for your quick research. What about Paul Giovvani firstly is there a photo of him and did he do anything else that was widely known.. JC.. |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca Date: 02 Nov 03 - 10:49 AM You're welcome. Review - Wicker Man/Paul Giovanni |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: GUEST,jim clark london england Date: 02 Nov 03 - 11:17 AM Thanx again George, I'll have to see if the local library can get a copy of that cd.. Still didnt locate a photo of Paul Giovvani yet (I'm curious to see what he looked like) apparently he died of aids in 1990. Theres nothing I recognise as his photo on the google image search, and Giovanni is a nightmare name to look under without imputting differentiating data... Thanx JC |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: RolyH Date: 02 Nov 03 - 12:39 PM Paul Giovvani appears in the film.He is one of the group singing the 'Sirens Song' while Britt Ekland is upstairs in the pub trying to seduce Edward Woodward. Suprisingly she doesn't succeed. |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: open mike Date: 02 Nov 03 - 01:26 PM you must be the jim clark of "Daily Digest of Messages on acoustic musicians and poets sound archive" fame? I am one of the "subscribers" of that list... welcome to mudcat, guest~! hello! i am sure we have had other wicker man threads here.. search the archives... a cult classic for sure. |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: alanabit Date: 02 Nov 03 - 01:51 PM I remember it well - and entertaining hokum it was too. Edward Woodward ("Callum" or "Kyle" to some of us) ended up getting cooked because he was a virgin. It was nonsense on the level of, "Here be dragons," stuff. I don't think anyone anywhere really believes that Pagans were accurately depicted. The film was well acted and directed though. I might add that if a young Britt Ekland had attempted to seduce me - a most unlikely scenario, I admit - she would certainly have succeeded! |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: Catherine Jayne Date: 02 Nov 03 - 02:53 PM I love the film and I don't find it particularily scary. We have the directors cut on DVD and we also have the sound track which is equally amazing. There is alot going on for the 30th anniversary of the Wicker Man film....the Pagan Federation Conference at the end of November in Croydon are doing a feature on it and it will feature in teh Beltane Bash in London next May too! |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: Nerd Date: 02 Nov 03 - 03:59 PM The putative pagan customs showed in the movie weren't made up by the filmmakers. Sources included classical accounts (several of which mention the wicker man as a maethod of sacrifice) and the seventeenth to nineteenth century neo-pagan romantics. There is little evidence that real pagan Celts did any of this, though there is good evidence for human and animal sacrifice from the Celtic world. It is a fun movie, and Woowward and Lee are so good at their roles. I found the music and songs as disturbing as the rest... |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: jacqui c Date: 02 Nov 03 - 04:11 PM I've just finished watching this five minutes ago and then found this thread! Weird film - but very good. The clues to the victim started early but it was fun watching the story develop. Loved the music. |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: Naemanson Date: 02 Nov 03 - 06:25 PM This was one of those weird films that left a vivid impression on me. To answer the initial question, the policeman doesn't escape with his life. The missing child was a ruse and she ends up leading Woodward to his death by fire in the wicker man. |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: Bat Goddess Date: 02 Nov 03 - 07:37 PM The book was much better than the film -- and more accurate as far as pagan fact, too, as I remember the book. Linn |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: smallpiper Date: 02 Nov 03 - 08:23 PM It was bollox! I mean, a copper of that age a virgin!!!!!! And what was all that sudo religious crap about? Tying to scare people into thinking pagans are evil, it amounts to nothing more than sectarinaism and religious bigotry in the guise of entertainment. So there! |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: GUEST,jim clark london england Date: 03 Nov 03 - 01:26 AM Thanx a million for all the feedback.Its certainly put my mind at rest about this almost hypnotic movie to find out some of the background to it.It might have otherwise put me of ever taking a holiday in the Scottish Islands ha ha.. Another thought that crossed my mind was how the film mamakers managed to get the permission of locals to make it. I always thought Scottish Islanders were deeply religious God fearing folk,who are still trying to resist Sunday drinking and ferry services.What would they have made of all this devlish paganism going on in their midst ???. Thanx again everybody. nice hearing from you open mike. Jim |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: mouldy Date: 03 Nov 03 - 01:49 AM It was actually filmed in Dumfries & Galloway, around where I go for my hols each year. (There was a Wickerman festival in Kirkudbright the week before I got up there). Some of the shots of the village and the interior of the Green Man were Creetown, the outside of the pub was shot in Gatehouse of Fleet. I think the "castle" may have been Cally Palace, a very posh hotel at Gatehouse. The harbour scenes may have been Kirkudbright. (I'm sure somebody will be able to confirm all this). The exterior shots of the cave appear to be of St. Ninian's Cave on the Whithorn Peninsula, although actually it isn't much more than a deep cleft in the rock. Ironically, it's a very long-standing site of Christian pilgrimage, and is filled with pebbles and makeshift crosses. There are even early mediaeval crosses cut into the rocks. It is said to be where St. Ninian went to in the early 6th century, from nearby Whithorn Priory, which he founded, for a bit of peace and quiet and to meditate. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: The Barden of England Date: 03 Nov 03 - 02:46 AM Ian Cutler was the fiddler in this movie. Go to this page for some more information on the film. Hope it's of interest. http://www.iancutler.com/main.html |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: Micca Date: 03 Nov 03 - 03:08 AM Andrea, I understand the Castle used for the film was Culzean Castle on the coast of Ayrshire |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: fogie Date: 03 Nov 03 - 05:10 AM I saw it as a double bill with don't look now in Bristol as a student.I tell you that was a most memorable cinema event, probably on par with 2oo1, Death in Venice, and alien and jaws. |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: Dave Bryant Date: 03 Nov 03 - 06:02 AM There were stories that Rod Stewart had tried to buy up all the prints, because he didn't like other people seeing Britt nude. |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: Liz the Squeak Date: 03 Nov 03 - 06:53 AM The practice of burning sacrifices (human or otherwise) is quite well documented - right back to the Roman Invasion in AD46 or thereabouts. There are contemporary reports of one of the invading commanders being greeted by 'a giant of wicker', so that bit at least is based on fact. LTS |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: Daithi Date: 03 Nov 03 - 07:27 AM Thanks for mentioning the PF conference,catsPhiddle - Wicker Man fans (and others!)might be interested to note that not only will the film be shown at the Pagan Federation Conference in Croydon on Nov 29th, but also there will be a chance to meet the director Robin Hardy and others involved with the making of the film. The Conference is open to all and covers a variety of topics (including the use of music in ritual ) and tickets are available from www.paganfed.org -follow the "star" link on the website for full details. maybe see you there? |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: Mr Happy Date: 03 Nov 03 - 07:41 AM There was a documentary on TV about the film last week. Rod Stewart had no reason to be worried about Britt Eklunds supposed nude scenes as, it was revealed in the programme, a body double was used. |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: GUEST,James Date: 03 Nov 03 - 07:42 AM I saw it years ago when I was travelling in Scotland...it was a dark and stormy night....and so on. The movie scared me half to death. I think it is one of the most frightening films ever, It has stayed in my memory all these years. Great film. |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: GUEST Date: 03 Nov 03 - 08:14 AM Anyone interested in this film should consider buying "Inside the wicker man, the morbid ingenuities" by Allan Brown. It was published by Sidgwick & Jackson in 2000 (ISBN 0283063556) and the detail within is incredible |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: GUEST,catsphiddle@work Date: 03 Nov 03 - 09:41 AM I'll be stewarding at the PF conference so hopefully I will see you there! |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: Strupag Date: 03 Nov 03 - 10:03 AM The island scenes were filmed on one of the Islands of the Summer Isles close to Ullapool, Loch Broom. It could have been Isle Martin. I wasn't there at the time but a few local got small parts. |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: Daithi Date: 03 Nov 03 - 10:23 AM That's great Catsphiddle - I'm working there on the day too (though not as hard as you!)Will you be weasring a badge so I can recognise you? |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: Peg Date: 03 Nov 03 - 10:28 AM aw I really want to go to that conference in Croydon!!! Must see if I can get a cheap flight;) there was an academic conference devote to the Wickerman near Dumfriews last summer but I was unable to attend. I am thinking of organizng one at Emerson because the remake and sequel will be coming out next year... peg |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: GUEST,jim clark london england Date: 03 Nov 03 - 04:21 PM Thanx again everyone for you comments, That Pagan website looks very interesting. I'll have to take a good look around it when the mood is with me. Gosh meeting some of the folks involved in making this movie sounds fascinating. Regards. Jim.. |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: Catherine Jayne Date: 03 Nov 03 - 04:52 PM Yep I'll be wearing a badge. You will probabley find me sat on the front desk! |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: mouldy Date: 04 Nov 03 - 02:57 AM Thanks Micca - I was wondering what had happened to all the trees at Cally, and the hill at the back! They said the churchyard used was at Anwoth, which is just next to Gatehouse. I haven't visited that yet, but I will next year. Britt only had a body double for the rear view shots, it seems. The Dumfries and Galloway region is rich in very ancient sites. Even on the farm where I camp, just 4 miles up the road from Gatehouse of Fleet, there is a small burial cairn and, according to an OS map I saw once, a stone circle in the adjacent field (although nothing is visible, so I guess it's now just the merest remnants). There are also cup and ring marks indicated on the rocks by the shore, but I haven't found them and I suspect they are in the extremely overgrown bit where the adders hand out! About 20 miles or so down the road is the Dunragit Henge which was, until last year, being excavated by Manchester University. No, I am not in the pay of the D&G Tourist Board! Andrea |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: open mike Date: 04 Nov 03 - 04:47 AM the link below goes to wiccan chants: http://www.azuregreen.org/music.html interesting search engine which would couple that link with this thread... will wonders never cease.. |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: Folkiedave Date: 04 Nov 03 - 04:57 AM Great film. The frontespiece of Allan Brown's book has a (fairly well known) picture of A Wicker Man of the Druids. Some of the stuff appeared in the Golden Bough too. The book goes into great detail and in conjunction with the DVD throws some fascinating insights into the film and film-making. Christopher Lee reckons it was the best film he ever made. Dave www.collectorsfolk.co.uk |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: Peg Date: 04 Nov 03 - 09:23 AM by the way, there is a man in the UK who has compiled a bunch of CDs inspired by the Wicker Man (a set of 10 so far) which include some wonderful songs from the English folk and rock bands of the period, from 1969 through 1975. A really great collection of songs for those who like this sort of music: plenty of Incredible String Band, Dando Shaft, various individual singers, etc. His website used to be www.theunbrokencircle.co.uk but the link was broken last time I checked. peg |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: Daithi Date: 06 Nov 03 - 04:35 AM Great catsphiddle - I'll make a point of saying hello! |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: Melani Date: 06 Nov 03 - 01:26 PM One of my favorite movies of all time. The way the islanders took their weird customs for granted while the policeman freaked out was especially entertaining. My favorite line--Christopher Lee: "Why, of course they're naked! It would be extremely dangerous to jump over a bonfire with your clothes on!" |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: rich-joy Date: 26 Feb 06 - 04:15 AM refresh : maybe needs a link to - or a combining with? - the latest thread? |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: Purple Foxx Date: 26 Feb 06 - 04:32 AM Woops-a-blinkin'-buttercup! Point taken Rich-Joy. Please forgive my ineptitude I'm stll fairly new 'round these parts. Now how exactly do we combine? |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: Dave Hanson Date: 26 Feb 06 - 05:19 AM Bloody 'ell if it carries on like this it won't be long before everyone thinks it was a true life documentary, it was the stupidest crap shite film I've ever had the misfortune to watch. eric |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: GUEST,IS Date: 26 Feb 06 - 05:26 AM I'm in a band which plays traditional songs and is sometimes described by extremely clueless observers as sounding like 'The Wicker Man' soundtrack. Very infuriating. |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man Movie From: Dead Horse Date: 26 Feb 06 - 07:23 PM Strupag, do you mean to say that only locals with small parts were used for filming? Much safer for jumping over bonfires in the nuddy I guess :-) |
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