The Wicker Man

Subject: The Wicker Man
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 03:37 AM

Today's Guardian has a free DVD copy of "The Wicker Man" as an insert.
Now, forget about Britt Eckland's Boobs,Bush & er,Somebody else's Botty. What I'd genuinely like to know is how highly or otherwise do people rate the music of this grossly underated film.
Any answers?

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,big jc
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 04:10 AM

The film itself falls into the "so bad its almost good" catagory. Badly filmed, a laughable script, and with more wood in the acting than in the wicker man itself. As for the music - it's nothing more than the usual wishy-washy, pseudo-celtic stuff that gets passed off as folk on the cheapo cds.
Hugely enjoyable, though....especially Britts song and Lynsey Kemp as the most unrealistic barkeeper in the whole history of film!

J.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Fullerton
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 04:16 AM

Best British horror film ever.
Paul Giovanni's music (for which he was never paid) is superb.
Christopher Lee continued to work on the film even when he knew he wasn't going to get paid because he considered it the best script he'd ever been offered.
The theme was sung by one of the local "extras."
I hope its the director's cut which they are given away today - it contains quite a few extra scenes including 10 mins which are set on the mainland.
Britt Eckland's greatest moment!
To me, the greatest mystery of the film is why the music from the Wickerman is Giovanni's only widely known work.
The music seems to "fit" the film so well.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 04:17 AM

Thanks for that.
I'll put you down as a "Don't know" then.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 04:19 AM

Sorry Fullerton we posted at the same time. My last posting refers to jc not you.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,Janine
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 04:39 AM

Yes Fullerton, the best British horror film ever made! A lot of material was cut from the released version (so at times it didn't always quite make sense) but some of this has been restored in the CD version. Beautiful photography and music - especially the aerial shots of the Islands in the introduction.
There is a book, which Christopher Lee refers to in his comments on the CD - called Return of the Wicker Man (or similiar) in which the main characters including the police sergeant reappear somehow. I've never been able to find any into on this; does anyone know?
Janine

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,Billy
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 07:13 AM

Ian Cutler, one of our leading fiddlers, is the fiddle player in the film. I think he was about 20 at the time.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 07:31 AM

Well, I wouldn't buy it, but I'm quite glad to have a free copy. Only time I saw it it struck me as a Carry On film that had been re-written as a horror movie. Recast it with Kenneth Williams and Sid James and company it could have been the best of the series.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 07:41 AM

I agree about that McGrath, I really can't understand why Christopher Lee considered it his finest film.

eric

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,J C
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 07:50 AM

Did anybody notice that the villain, Christopher Lee was uncannily like Maddy Prior on speed

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 08:18 AM

best british comedy pagan horror musical ever

already own and enjoy the cd & dvd..

but still might send the mrs down to the local newsagents anyway..

at least she'll get a copy todays guardian out of it

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 08:44 AM

Now with Sid James in the Christopher Lee part...

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 08:52 AM

I don't think Christopher Lee ever said it was his finest film but he's certainly said it's his favourite - there is a difference.

I think the horror aspect is beautifully played, a lot more terrible than the blood, guts and gore that we usually associate with Mr Lee... and from a generation brought up on the 'good guy always wins in the end', it is genuinely shocking; I can see why so many people of both Pagan and Christian traditions find it a very disturbing film.

LTS

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 08:53 AM

..she's just got back from the newsagents..

its the shorter edited dumbed down 84 min version..
butchered to satisfy the mentality of 1970's yank drive in movie audiences !

years ago i saw that and wondered what all the fuss was about.
i failed to get why anyone considered this a significant movie..???

but when i finally watched the longer [almost] director's cut..
then i was completely capitvated by one of the most deliriously bonkers,
wickedly entertaining films that ever sneaked out of the backdoor
of mainstream british film making..



make yer own minds up..


at least you get a free guardian with todays dvd..

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Cats
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 08:54 AM

I think it really is a horror film in the complete sense of the genre as there is no 'safe home' at the end and endless 'personal identifiers' in it. A superb film. I'll have rummage around and see if I can find anything out about the music. It seems to have phrases from every folk song or tune you have ever heard, which is another element of horror genre - the audience being able to identify with key elements, in this case the music and the traditions which go along with them.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 12:30 PM

Guest,Janine I have been unable to locate this book,sorry.
Punkfolkrocker agreewith you re superiority of the director's cut.
McGrath if the remake currently in production is as bad as I fear
I might prefer Sid James myself.
Have this afternoon finally caught up with "The Curse Of The WereRabbit" & think at this precise moment that may be my all time favourite British Horror flick.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Skivee
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 01:00 PM

"Curse Of The Wicker Rabbit"?????

" Grommit, It's getting a bit warm in here... I think I'll remove my sweater"

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 01:06 PM

Nice one Skivee!LMAO

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 01:07 PM

One of my favorite comedy / horror films. The first time I watched it, I didn't know whether to laugh, cry or shudder. And who can forget 'The Innkeeper's Daughter' or the Maypole song?

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 12:36 AM

I got the free DVD and watched it last night, what a load of airy fairy bollocks plus occasional bits of trad tunes.

eric

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: DMcG
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 03:28 AM

A hotch-potch of traditions, certainly (hand of glory, 'obby 'oss, maypole dancing, the morris lock and so forth) but that's actually in keeping with the story. Remember that what happens on the island is not supposed to be a tradition from time immemorial, but something the Lord Summerfield's grandfather revived/created/threw together to help him introduce new crops. It reminded me of the way a religion in John Wyndham's "The Chrysalids" was created as a means of passing on scientific knowledge in a society which could not afford scientists.

You can treat the Wicker man as just a horror film - and I think its a good one - but it does seem to me to warrant more thought than that. There are points to mull over about the nature of religion for example, that are very relevant to today. Ditto authority.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,CL
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 04:15 AM

Please don't forget that this film is based on the true character of Summer Island and its residents, with a few embellishments of course.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: rich-joy
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 04:18 AM

maybe some lovely link pixie could either combine or link the other "Wicker Man" thread???

(- and then there are the two threads on the film's music ...)


Cheers! R-J

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: yollom
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 07:03 AM

Hi all
Edward Woodward would't
Iwuold
wouldn't you?

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 07:09 AM

Edward would.
Kublai Khan.
Emanuel Kant.
Nor can I.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Folkiedave
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 08:02 AM

The book about the film and filming of "The Wicker Man" is called "Inside the Wicker Man" - subtitled "The Morbid Ingenuities" - by Allan Brown. Sidgwick and Jackson - published 2000 - ISBN 0 283 06355 6. Try Amazon for copies - thre is a S/H copy for £54.25 - but if you can wait 4/6 weeks they advertise it at £10.55. I bought mine in a S/H bookshop in Wigton where there is a specialist cinema and TV book dealer. I think I paid the published price of £15.99.

Britt Eckland's greatest moment!

Well, It wasn't her voice - she had a strong Swedish accent so her voice was dubbed, the singing was done by Annie Ross. It wasn't her body in the most famous scene - it was a body double called Jane Jackson. Apart from that certainly her greatest moment!! Sorry to disappoint you! (p.84-88 in the above book).

I don't think Christopher Lee ever said it was his finest film but he's certainly said it's his favourite - there is a difference.

In the above book Lee is quoted (p. 39): "So, the Wicker Man is the best film I've ever been in, the best part I've ever had. And - not that I am any judge at all - the best performance I have ever given".

Also Lee's autobigraphy is quoted. (Appendix 4 p 201)

He says "....The Wicker Man.....was the best-scripted film I ever took part in and it turned out in the end to be a flawed masterpiece."

There are three versions of the film - the Guardian DVD is the shortest (most would probably say the worst) and is as the film was distributed in the UK. There is a Director's Cut at 102 minutes, and a version which was used in America on a re-release of the film there in 1977 which lasts 96 minutes.

My wife's family come from the area (specifically near Logan Gardens) and we saw part of the filming. It was very cold when they filmed. I am not a great fan of the film since I think its eclectic view twists the folklore around - but this is in fact covered in the plot - so I suppose that makes it OK.

Hope this all helps.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 08:14 AM

Thanks Dave.Britt does appear in the most famous scene but the footage of Jane Jackson (shot from the rear) was inserted without Britt's knowledge when it was decided that Britt's dancing simply wasn't raunchy enough.
As you imply this role was in effect played by four people.
Still think a film which depicts what happens when reason is suppressed & faith is used to justify anything has a greater topical resonance now than in 1973.
Thanks again.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,Cult follower
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 08:28 AM

Amazing how so many of you know so much about this cult followed film. The film was based on true facts about Summerisle and the portrayal of the whole thing was good enough to merit a cult following. So who's knocking it? Great film, great cast.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Folkiedave
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 11:05 AM

Well, it may be that some people believe Summerisle exists and has some true facts.

The story of the writing of the film by Antony Shaffer is told in the book I referred to in my previous post.

All the pagan stuff was based on material found in Fraser's "The Golden Bough". If you believe the Golden Bough then I suppose it could loosely be described as based on true facts.

You can read it here http://www.sacred-texts.com/pag/frazer/ - always supposing you have no paint to watch go dry.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 11:19 AM

The makers of "Fargo." claimed that their film was based on fact.
That claim was Womble's droppings.
Contrariwise the standard "Any resemblence between persons living or dead..." disclaimer in the closing credis of "Our Friends In The North." Still makes me smile.
As for the people who maintain that "The X Files" was axed for getting to close to the truth,least said the better.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 11:19 AM

I think they'd have done better to site it all off the Scilly Isles. The folklore would have fitted in better to that part of the world - and you couldn't have a more appropriate name for a group of isles to include Summeerisle.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Folkiedave
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 11:46 AM

A comment more perceptive than you might have realised.

There was a suggestion that this film was based on a book called "Ritual" by David Pinner. He was the Detective in "The Mousetrap" and had plenty of time in between scenes! The book's story is essentially similar to "The Wicker Man" except it was based in a Cornish Village.

Christopher Lee, Anthony Shaffer and Peter Snell, (who commissioned the film orginally) put in £5,000 each to secure the rights to "Ritual". In the end Shaffer says little came from the book. Though the - well let's call it the Britt Ekland scene - clearly comes from the book.

It was set in Western Scotland because it needed a centrepiece of a group of people who were isolated from mainstream society and where the climate would be suitable for growing apples. The West of Scotland seemed an ideal location - warmed as it is by the Gulf Stream.

In the end Dumfries and Galloway was used with a variety of locations in the area. The garden's are Logan Botanical Gardens and the castle is Culzean.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Willie-O
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 11:53 AM

So, does Summer Isle exist or not?

Does Summer Isle have another name? I have a pretty good map of Scotland and the Isles but it doesn't appear there...nor have I ever heard reference to it in any other book about the Hebrides.

Alternatively, what real island was the movie filmed on?   

My aunt told me that they say in Uist that Winston Churchill was secretly a Druid high priest who used to go there and participate in strange rituals...now there's a movie waiting to be made!

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 12:48 PM

a group of people who were isolated from mainstream society and where the climate would be suitable for growing apples.

So the Scillies would have been ideal.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Folkiedave
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 01:29 PM

Correct............

I meant to mention cost was a consideration!! I am positive it would have cost a lot more to transport and keep a crew etc to the Scillies than it would to do so to Dumfries and Galloway. As you would imagine if you have seen the film - it was not expensive to produce. The cost without principal artistes salaries was £320,000+ -it came in £8000+ over budget. This at 1972 prices.

The Summer Isles - which is where I assume they took the name - are off Achiltibuie, N.West Scotland - www.multimap.com will take you there.

The film was almost completely filmed in seven weeks in the Dumfries and Galloway area of South West Scotland. There was no island - it's trick photography! The rooms where Britt Ekland tried to seduce Edward Woodward and Edward Woodward refused her were 30 miles apart! There was a small amount of scenery filming done in Plockton in the North West of Scotland.

At the risk of thread drift - another programme filmed in the area over the past few years was "Two Thousand Acres of Sky". Although this was again supposed to be an island in fact one end (the island if you like) was Port Logan, the other was Portpatrick. See:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/sky/

Trick photography again.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Snuffy
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 01:31 PM

So the Scillies would have been ideal.

except for actually being islands. A coastal location on the mainland is logistically much simpler and filmically indistinguishable.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 03:30 PM

But then Cold Mountain was shot in Romania wasn't it, and set in Carolina? And Waking Ned was shot on the Isle of Man, and set in Ireland. Where the story is set and where you actually film are quite different things.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Folkiedave
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 03:51 PM

I always remember the scene is Braveheart at the beginning when his father has been killed and there is a silhouette of a bagpiper on the horizon - playing uillean pipes!

And to be political - the TV shots of the "Battle of Orgreave" show miners stoning police who charged them on horseback. REality was the other way around.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Snuffy
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 06:25 PM

What? The miners were on horseback?

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 06:58 PM

The Roman Polanski film 'Tess' was filmed exclusively in Normandy, because a) it bore a striking similarity to Dorset of the 1880s and b) Mr Polanski would have been arrested as soon as he set foot in England for something to do with underage girls.... it's not always logistics that determine where a film is shot...

LTS

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 09:24 PM

Mounted on Pit Ponies? *G*

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 04:20 AM

Hey everyone, Elvis is alive and well and working in a newsagents in Cardiff.

Well..............some people are ready to believe anything.

It's a totally ficticious film from a totally ficticious book fer fecks sake.

eric

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,Van
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 08:20 AM

Now I know why I couldn't get my customary Guardian on Saturday - all bought by Mudcatters! (I tried 4 newsagents all there are in Livingston).

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,cult follower
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 09:14 AM

Eric the red, you are wrong.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 09:27 AM

Get real cult follower, or is it a case of, " I know a real cult when I see one, I should I've followed a few "

eric

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 09:42 AM

FolkieDave me lad, are you sure......

'I always remember the scene in Braveheart at the beginning when his father has been killed and there is a silhouette of a bagpiper on the horizon - playing uillean pipes!

.....that they weren't Scottish Smallpipes?
Did you see em that close to distinguish?
Where are you VickiSmallpiper my friend? You play 'em so well, help out here. Point out the similarities mebbe? In silhouette what would be the difference then?
Hugs - Duncan

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Snuffy
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 09:42 AM

You are wrong Eric. It's a tobacconists, not a newsagents.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 10:02 AM

Even if they were Scottish smallpipes they'd still be wrong for the period. It was the sound that was of uillean pipes.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Ross
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 10:08 AM

'Gone With the Wind' was filmed in Barnsley

They painted the gas works red to fit the sky-line - if you look closely behind Clark's ears, you can see the rivets in the sky

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,thurg
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 10:10 AM

Off-topic but in response to an earlier comment: far as I know Cold Mountain was filmed in Alberta (Canada).

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Ross
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 10:15 AM

Just a technical point - if the letter 'd' didn't exist

then the star of the film would be called

Ewar Woo war

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,oops
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 12:20 PM

Got my mountains mixed up - I was thinking of Brokeback Mountain. Hope that doesn't mess up anyone's travel plans.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Folkiedave
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 12:48 PM

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: HipflaskAndy - PM
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 09:42 AM

Hi Duncan - far be it from me to argue with such a distinguished musician, wonderful guitar player, singer, and all round good guy. However me old china plate..............

I am not sure what he was carrying - but the sound was of uillean pipes. The piper was an American guy called Eric Rigler (credited on the film) and whilst he does in fact play highland pipes, small pipes and low whistle he was in fact playing the Irish pipes in that particular scene.

The film Braveheart was made in Ireland of course, made to look like Scotland by haggises being seen running around hillsides in certain scenes. It is believed - since Ireland does not normally allow imported ruminants because of the chance of importing swine fever - that these were specially bred for the film. And when it said at the end "No animals were hurt in the making of this film" the haggises were specifically excluded and were in fact eaten by the film crew on Burn's night.

To go back to the thread, the same applied to the haggises shown in "Wicker Man". Look carefully and you can see a whole school of them them swimming as the seaplane lands. These are (now) the farmed aqua-haggis from Loch Ryan (Stranraer) and have a "Scottish Farmed Quality" mark. You can buy them in larger branches of Waitrose. The aqua-haggis cages can be seen on the right of Loch Ryan as the Belfast Ferry comes in.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 02:53 PM

Hi Daveyboy
naw, no argument from me, not with such a well informed chappie as you.
But I'm a simple plucker is all, know little of such windy matters really.
Just my way of asking if'n they weren't Smallpipes, held and operated the same way (more or less) as.....(to the great unwashed like me).
I shoulda known better, but the chance to try to be wry with dear old Dave was too big a draw!
You mean they actually get things wrong in films!!!
I can hardly believe it!!!
How can I get a highly paid job as a researcher for a big mega-buck-paying film company then?
Keep well. Have fun! Cheers - Duncan

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: harpmolly
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 03:53 PM

Just a note:

I'm not sure whether this news will amuse or horrify, but there is a remake of "Wicker Man" in the works with Nicolas Cage as the policeman. It's set in Washington State, US, and will be filmed in Vancouver. Directed by Neil LaBute.

(If you don't believe me, pick up the latest "Premiere" magazine--but preferably blindfolded, or else the sight of Lindsay Lohan's ladies on the cover being forced into a push-up bra that is defying the laws of physics may force you to gouge your eyes out. Poor girl.)

Molly

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Micca
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 04:23 PM

There is more info about this New version Here

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: alison
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 12:02 AM

well if any of you happened to pick up a free copy and don't want it... I'd be happy to give it a good home in Oz.....


slainte

alison

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 04:03 AM

OK Snuffy, it's a tobacconists, but also there's a guy down the chip shop swears he's Elvis.

eric

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST, Topsie
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 02:20 PM

Part of Braveheart was shot in Scotland - there is still a 'Braveheart car park' in Glen Nevis.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Folkiedave
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 03:09 PM

Locations of where films were made in Scotland including The Wicker Man and Braveheart can be found here

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Windsinger
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 03:14 PM

Right about the shots of Glen Nevis.

In fact...you might find this link amusing. :)

(The good stuff begins about halfway down.)

Slán,

~Fionn

www.geocities.com/children_of_lir

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 04:15 PM

The island known as Summerisle does exist and is inhabited by some strange cult as portrayed in the film. Please take it from me. It is easy to ridicule anything we wish to but some things are here and there irrespective of us.
Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 04:28 PM

Try WWW.STEVE P.ORG WM.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Folkiedave
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 04:34 PM

The island known as Summerisle does exist and is inhabited by some strange cult as portrayed in the film. Please take it from me. It is easy to ridicule anything we wish to but some things are here and there irrespective of us.

And in acknowledgement of this I posted the stuff about the haggises.

See my post:

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Folkiedave - PM
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 12:48 PM

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 07:02 PM

I thought that the Isle of Arran was used for quite an amount of the filming...

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 04:06 AM

Georgiansilver, if Summerisle actually exists.......... why is it not on any map or atlas or in any gazetteer I can find ?

I'll tell you why, it doesn't exist thats why.

eric

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 04:10 AM

Oh and by the way, you are not the first person to belive that total tripe is real, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle believed that crude photos of cut out fairies taken by two little girls in Shipley really were fairies.

eric

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 04:10 AM

Am planning a holiday & am intrigued by a nice looking place called Pepperland.
Can anybody tell me anything about it?
I know it must exist because I saw it in a film.:)

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: open mike
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 04:23 AM

are there extra copies of this floating around now?
If so, send one to the u.s. and we can circulate it
around and re-form the wicker cult in the Western
Hemisphere. I would be interested in seeing it, if
anyone got extra copies of the guardian.....

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 06:34 AM

dont waste your time..
the Guardian disc is the short version butchered on the advice of Roger Corman
to fit running time and tastes of teen Drive-in audiences..

.. get the longer restored 'directors' version,
which ironically only exists now because Roger Corman never returned the print
he was given to use to make his suggestion for edits.

the extra 15 minutes or so re-establishes the core intelligence and satirical wit
of this fine unique barmy horror musical folly

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Folkiedave
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 07:12 AM

I'd agree with that. The Director's Cut at 102 minutes (still not perfect by the way) is much better. A two disc set is availabel from Amazon. If you are interested I'd get that.

The scene where Willow brings Howie a cup of tea in bed - asking why he ignored her the night before - he replies he does not believe in pre-marital sex - is in the 84 minute vrsion and not in the Director's Cut!!

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: mouldy
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 08:10 AM

I holiday every year in Dumfries and Galloway and there is a Wickerman festival at Kirkudbright at the back end of July every year. (The Tolbooth centre in Kirkudbright was used as a location too). I took my film studies student daughter to Anwoth, which is only about 4 miles from where we stay, and which is the location used for the cemetery scenes. She was highly impressed, especially when I walked her to the end of the Isle of Whithorn to see Ninian's Cave - the cave used towards the end of the film. Sorry to say, it only goes about 15 feet into the cliff, and doesn't emerge up top!

The first thing she did when we got back was to dump her bags on the floor, get the (director's cut) dvd out and start the chorus of "been there - seen that!"

Andrea

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: robomatic
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 06:06 AM

My girl at the time was a pretty religious Christian and I took her to the film mildly aware as she was not of the theme. Learned a lot about sharp elbows in the ribs at the flicks but it was a worthwhile run overall. For quite a while after that I could give 'er a look and go: "SUMER is a cumin' in......" (as long as the elbow to ribs distance was far enouff...)

Also veryliked the idea of Brits as pagans.

Would love a spare as the Guardian does not get to my part of Alaska.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Snuffy
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 09:22 AM

Would there be a format problem trying to play these DVDs in the US?

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Micca
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 02:42 PM

Eric the red, if you seek The Summer Isles off the North west Coast of Scotland Try Here

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,The Wickered Woman
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 03:05 PM

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 02:59 AM

These would be the Summer Isles, not Summerisle then ?

eric

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Folkiedave
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 03:57 AM

It would indeed.

Though as has been pointed out - all those islands off the west coast of Scotland enjoy similar weather (mild climate and often frost-free) as the south-west coast of England, thanks to the warming effects of the Gulf Stream. The Summer Isles fall into this category.

The problem is that it rains a lot and it can be very windy. Logan Gardens (in the film) has a huge windbreak of trees to shelter it.

And whilst it is mild in winter - it is often just the same in summer.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,the celluloid man
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 05:23 AM

You have to remember that Georgiansilver is a happy-clappy godbotherer who believes that Jesus wants him for a sunbeam - that's why he posts such things. He also believes that the masons are out to sacrifice babies. Anyway, I digress...

As for the film, it was entertaining, but certainly not deserving of a lot of the gushing praise heaped upon it. The versions as generally shown are poorly edited, while much of the acting is frankly laughable. Both Ingrid Pitt and Britt Eckland would have been out-acted by the average plank, while Peter Cook would have made a less hammy Lord Summerisle.
I think one reason for its eduring appeal is because it was of its time; it came out when a large chunk of the population was fascinated by the idea of paganism, and with its bizarre mish-mash of Fraser and Graves the Wicker Man seemed to press the right buttons. As a result it's become the 'house film' of people that like to call themselves neo-pagans. It's also up there on the video shelf with 'If' as an icon of antiestablishment sentiments. 'If', though similarly flawed, is a far, far better film IMNSHO.
It's tosh. Watchable tosh, but tosh nonetheless.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 05:54 AM

Neopagan dear? who dear? Me dear? No dear!
I wish the idea of a group of people who believe that their religious beliefs justified anything they chose to do had been "of its time"

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Folkiedave
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 06:52 AM

I think one reason for its eduring appeal is because it was of its time; it came out when a large chunk of the population was fascinated by the idea of paganism

I was a large chunk of the population at that time. Since I have since put weight on I suspect my wife would refer to me as an even bigger chunk of the population.

Would love to see the evidence for that assertion.

And are you telling me the mason's don't sacrifice babies? Where is the evidence for that too...............

I believe it became a cult film because some films become cult films and this was one of them.

Definition of a cult film? Your guess is as good as mine - but it probably includes "students" somewhere in it....

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,redmax
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 08:31 AM

Does one's age play a part in your level of affection for this movie? I was born in 1970 and remember the seventies with great warmth: those were innocent and comforting years from my perspective. The Wicker Man conjures up a real nostalgic feeling, a little like listening to Steeleye singing Gaudete

If, on the other hand, you were a little older in the seventies then perhaps you'd have a more critical eye and be less likely to be seduced by its general vibe. I know I cringe when I see stuff from the eighties. Those were the acne years, and I don't wish to wallow in memories of Miami Vice on TV and Spandau Ballet on the radio

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Folkiedave
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 08:40 AM

Born 1943. So I certainly qualify!!

Dave

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 08:47 AM

Born in 1962,to young to see this film when first released.(1973)
I also have no affection whatsoever for Spandau Ballet or Miami Vice.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 05:27 PM

Is ZULU a british film I think it just beats WICKERMAN

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 06:40 PM

I've sometimes wondered whether the witch-hunt a few years later about alleged pagan ritual abuse in the Orkneys might have had its origin in some over suggestible social workers going to see this film.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 06 Mar 06 - 02:28 AM

Sounds horribly plausible McG.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 05:52 AM

I recently watched the Wicker Man for the first time - what a hoot! Everything from the traditional pastiche (it's all there, innit? Obby Oss, Sword dancing, Abbots Bromley, maypole...) and musical pastiche - I especially loved the deranged glee with which Christopher Lee sang Summer is Icumen In. Pretty glorious all round, really. LOVED Britt Eckland's writhing, slapping dance. That's one I've never seen at Bampton...

But the bit that really had me gasping with laughter was Christopher Lee in his Mayday costume. I don't know if it was the wig, the dress or the dancing that was the funniest.

Top hokum.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 06:11 AM

festival

I enjoyed the film but found the ending a bit depressing. I can still see him looking out of the basket surrounded by flames and animals.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 06:38 AM

I'm presently giving thought to an interpretation of The Wicker Man as an analogue of the condition of Nazi Germany, albeit somewhat more subtle than Animal Farm's retelling of the birth of Soviet Russia. The closing scene was the first clue, being so openly an analogue to that of James Whales' Frankenstein (1931) with the difference being that whilst in Frankenstein our sympathies are with the creature, in The Wicker Man we're part of the mob, mindlessly chanting Sumer Is Icumen In as Sargent Howie screams his last. It's a tidy cinematographic equivalent of The Milgram Experiment in that our humanity has effectively been subsumed in respect to a higher moral authority which has been demonstrated to be entirely corrupt. The islanders, like the people of Germany, have been fed an entirely bogus pseudo-religious construct based on the flimsiest of folkloric precedents; they have been rendered docile, manipulated by mere spectacle, and anaesthetised by enforced compliance to the extent that they willingly participate in a murderous sacrifice which is, in actuality, simply a desperate buying of time as the foundations of the aristocratic order of Summerisle begin to crumble.

It's interesting to speculate on what purpose might be served by the clumsy segue from the opening Highland Widow's Lament, as respectfully sung in a traditional manner by Shiela Mackie (who also did the vocal for Willow's Song incidentally) with Northumbrian (!) pipes & chorus, into Paul Gionvanni's sublime though purposefully untraditional setting of Burns' Corn Riggs. There is a lurch of conciousness here between the traditional, and the faux-traditional, the world outside and the world of Summerisle, where Giovanni's increasingly surreal perversions of traditional themes are as twisted as the pagan beliefs of the islanders themselves. A totalitarian state has been contrived from supposed folklore; the customs of the people have been used against themselves; vague symbolism (i.e the may-pole) have become didactic absolutes, and even their own natural bawdiness becomes a moral prison. How else might we interpret the weeping in the erotic night scene? Or else the alarmed & terrified faces of the musicians as they sing Gently Johnny whilst poor Ash Buchanan is being abusively initiated (though I doubt he's complaining) by Willow McGregor in the room above whilst Lord Summerisle utters his chilling, yet beautiful, soliloquy, itself taken from Part 2 of Song of Myself, from Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass?

Just a thought anyway; it's always been one of my favourite films (along with Frankenstein and Quatermass and the Pit), one that keeps revealing itself on so many different levels. Like The Prisoner, it deals with issues of individuality and mass compliance; unlike the The Prisoner, however, it makes sure sure that the individual in question is as unlikeable as possible, however so innocent he might be. Interesting to note that his innocence is what ultimately qualifies Sargent Howie for sacrifice, and innocence is the central theme of Frankenstein. Fine soundtrack too; a horror musical indeed. For those who don't know it, check this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSvJgRSiJSM, and for those that do: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdWY-AMY_zY

(Note: most of the above is from another thread, but it seems to have a place here too, albeit slightly modified!)

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: theleveller
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 07:14 AM

Well I just enjoyed Brit getting her kit off.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,Jonny Sunshine
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 07:34 AM

The film's certainly one of a kind. Horror, erotic thriller, farcical folk-rock musical, black comedy and study in comparative religion, all in one!

On a superficial level it's pulp nonsense, very much of its time, but underneath it all I still find it rather disturbing- the viewer's sympathies are manipulated against Howie until the reality of the ending kicks in.

Incidentally the book-of-the-film gives much more depth into Howie's character. In the film he comes across as self-righteous, but in the book he's much more human, young and idealistic, if a little misguided, and not without his own internal conflicts.

Anyone else read it?

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,Joe
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 08:06 AM

There is a lot of myth about this film, a lot of strange goings on off-set, a lot like the Omen. This to me is proof of that:

"When Edward Woodward was inside the Wicker Man, the goat above him pissed on his head. "

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,Joe
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 08:11 AM

Another thing that made me chuckle was a CD I ordered off the internet, it was stamped with 'SUMMERISLE APPLES' and had a hand written note inside claiming something along the lines of how 60's psychedelic folk was the best music ever. Not your usual amazon / play.com service!

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 08:13 AM

"the goat above him pissed on his head. "
Perhaps it was trying to save him from the flames!
Never got over the fact that the Christopher Lee character is the dead spit of Maddy Prior on speed.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Zen
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 09:15 AM

Wicker Man fans here may also enjoy Fiona Maher's short hommage in lego "The Wiccaman".

Posted here a year or two ago but perhaps repeating in this thread!

Zen

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 09:51 AM

Sorry to dissapoint you all, it wasn't Brit writhing in the nip it was a body double.

eric

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: theleveller
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 10:42 AM

Ah, right - I must have been seeing double them. Still the highlight of the film.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 11:07 AM

The body double was only used for the rear shots, the rest of it is Ms Ekland in her glory. The singing voice is Sheila Mackie, who also sang The Highland Widow's Lament which opens the film; not sure who the speaking voice is though, terrible accent and all. And talking of terrible accents, The Landlord himself, Alder McGregor, is played by none other than Lindsay Kemp, mime teacher to both David Bowie and Kate Bush.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 11:26 AM

Summer Isles off Scotland

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 11:31 AM

The landlord reminded me of that strange Scottish whistle-playing hotelier from the first series of Little Britain:


Ray McCooney

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 11:42 AM

this one is even better:

More Scottish Hotel

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,Trev
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 12:27 PM

"The rooms where Britt Ekland tried to seduce Edward Woodward and Edward Woodward refused her were 30 miles apart!"

Just as well... I'd have to be even further away to resist a naked Britt, any nearer and I'm sure he'd have succumbed.

Always puzzled as to how WM is seen as a horror film. Thriller, yes but horror? hmmm.

Avoid the Nick Cage version as if you were a virgin cop avoiding SummerIsle! Drab, no sex, no nudity and bees instead of apples!

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,Jonny Sunshine
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 03:23 PM

That tribute in Lego is hilarious!

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 03:25 PM

The chap who carried Edward Woodward up into The Wicker Man was the wrestler, the late "Wild" Ian Campbell who I often saw fight when I worked at St James's Hall, Newcastle when I was about 16. I remember on one such occasion he gave me a right bollocking for smoking and telling me of all the damage that I would do myself; and there he is in WM puffing away on his pipe!!
I finally have my own copy on DVD as my youngest bought me it for my 60th in April. However it is not the director's cut.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Aug 19 - 11:44 AM

so what happened to the WM music festival?

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST, Onedtent
Date: 17 Aug 19 - 12:08 PM

The Wicker Man music festival ended a few years ago, after the sudden death of one of the organisers. The Wicker Man that was built for the music festival is still standing in the field where the festival was held. It is just off the road from Kirkcudbright to Dundrennan, and is clearly visible from the road.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Aug 19 - 06:04 PM

I hated the film. As a Scot myself, there's nothing worse than cod Scottish regional accents by imported actors. Fake Celticism, laughably bad hair on Christopher Lee, dire out of place music, dire location choices, holey plot, bad psuedo porn scenes, wooden acting.. yet rated a cult cinema classic!   Scottish singer Fiona Kennedy made a bit part appearance as a schoolgirl.. I wonder what her father Calum thought of it at the time? One classic scene though when the Wicker Man falls burning to the ground revealing the sun.. but generally a crock of crud. Just one Scot's opinion, but plenty of others have loved it and always will.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Aug 19 - 08:49 AM

there is a Wee Wickerman festival near Wigton this coming weekend?

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Mrrzy
Date: 22 Aug 19 - 12:07 AM

My second-worst experience with the concept of "spoiler" was with this movie.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 22 Aug 19 - 02:55 AM

My mate's 'local' is the Ellangowan in Creetown where the pub scenes were filmed. Been there many a time on our visits. Sadly it seems to be being run down :-(

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Daniel Kelly
Date: 22 Aug 19 - 06:17 AM

If you are ever in South Australia around May, they have a festival called 'The English Ale' in the small town of Mylor (https://www.theenglishale.org/) which is basically a wicker man event.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,guest onedtent
Date: 23 Aug 19 - 09:55 AM

The Wee Wickerman Festival is at the Isle of Whithorn, 16 miles south of Wigtown on Saturday August 24th, (tomorrow).

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: robomatic
Date: 23 Aug 19 - 01:41 PM

So, is it too late to get a Christian up in there and burn that sucker? Or has the balloon, so to speak, gone up already?

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST,akenaton
Date: 23 Aug 19 - 02:17 PM

As one of the very few "highlanders" on this forum, I can say quite categorically this film is a pile of manure....has no relationship to the islands of the West Coast, their religion, or their way of life. Even in a semi historical setting, it is an insult to the Gaelic Culture which I remember from my boyhood.

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jun 23 - 05:31 PM

some of these comments are just from chauvinistic teuchters who resent this classic film being filmed in a neglected area of Scotland (even by the SNP!) rather than the usual phoney 'film sets' like Plockton.

We in Galloway are quite happy to live in a lovely, quiet part of Scotland where life goes on without most of the crap of modern life. The 5oth anniversary of the film was remembered last month by the Isle of Whithorn community without any commercial or media interest & all the better for it

Subject: RE: The Wicker Man
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 03 Jun 23 - 02:51 AM

Following my comment 4 years ago I am sad to confirm that the Ellengowan has been closed for a couple of years now with no chance of reopening :-( Lovely building and could be restored back to a fine hotel but it would take a lot of time and money