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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? |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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... |
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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 |
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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.. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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" |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man From: Purple Foxx Date: 25 Feb 06 - 01:06 PM Nice one Skivee!LMAO |
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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? |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man From: yollom Date: 26 Feb 06 - 07:03 AM Hi all Edward Woodward would't Iwuold wouldn't you? |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man From: Purple Foxx Date: 26 Feb 06 - 07:09 AM Edward would. Kublai Khan. Emanuel Kant. Nor can I. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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! |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man From: Snuffy Date: 26 Feb 06 - 06:25 PM What? The miners were on horseback? |
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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 |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man From: GUEST Date: 26 Feb 06 - 09:24 PM Mounted on Pit Ponies? *G* |
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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 |
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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). |
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Subject: RE: The Wicker Man From: GUEST,cult follower Date: 27 Feb 06 - 09:14 AM Eric the red, you are wrong. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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). |
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