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The Wicker Man

  • 19731973
  • RR
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
84K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,767
108
Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland, and Edward Woodward in The Wicker Man (1973)
Trailer for The Wicker Man: The Final Cut
Play trailer1:30
4 Videos
99+ Photos
HorrorMysteryThriller
A puritan Police Sergeant arrives in a Scottish island village in search of a missing girl, who the Pagan locals claim never existed.A puritan Police Sergeant arrives in a Scottish island village in search of a missing girl, who the Pagan locals claim never existed.A puritan Police Sergeant arrives in a Scottish island village in search of a missing girl, who the Pagan locals claim never existed.
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
84K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,767
108
  • Director
    • Robin Hardy
  • Writers
    • Anthony Shaffer(screenplay)
    • David Pinner(novel "Ritual")
  • Stars
    • Edward Woodward
    • Christopher Lee
    • Diane Cilento
  • Director
    • Robin Hardy
  • Writers
    • Anthony Shaffer(screenplay)
    • David Pinner(novel "Ritual")
  • Stars
    • Edward Woodward
    • Christopher Lee
    • Diane Cilento
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 587User reviews
    • 200Critic reviews
    • 87Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 6 nominations

    Videos4

    The Wicker Man: The Final Cut
    Trailer 1:30
    Watch The Wicker Man: The Final Cut
    The Wicker Man
    Trailer 2:12
    Watch The Wicker Man
    'Midsommar' Trailer With Director's Commentary
    Clip 2:27
    Watch 'Midsommar' Trailer With Director's Commentary
    'Apostle' Director Gareth Evans on the Dark Films That Inspired Him
    Interview 1:48
    Watch 'Apostle' Director Gareth Evans on the Dark Films That Inspired Him

    Photos131

    Walter Carr in The Wicker Man (1973)
    Lindsay Kemp and Edward Woodward in The Wicker Man (1973)
    Britt Ekland in The Wicker Man (1973)
    Diane Cilento in The Wicker Man (1973)
    Gerry Cowper in The Wicker Man (1973)
    Edward Woodward in The Wicker Man (1973)
    The Wicker Man (1973)
    The Wicker Man (1973)
    The Wicker Man (1973)
    Edward Woodward in The Wicker Man (1973)
    The Wicker Man (1973)
    Britt Ekland in The Wicker Man (1973)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Edward Woodward
    Edward Woodward
    • Sergeant Howie
    Christopher Lee
    Christopher Lee
    • Lord Summerisle
    Diane Cilento
    Diane Cilento
    • Miss Rose
    Britt Ekland
    Britt Ekland
    • Willow
    Ingrid Pitt
    Ingrid Pitt
    • Librarian
    Lindsay Kemp
    Lindsay Kemp
    • Alder MacGreagor
    Russell Waters
    • Harbour Master
    Aubrey Morris
    Aubrey Morris
    • Old Gardener…
    Irene Sunters
    • May Morrison
    • (as Irene Sunter)
    Walter Carr
    Walter Carr
    • School Master
    Ian Campbell
    • Oak
    Leslie Blackater
    • Hairdresser
    Roy Boyd
    • Broome
    Peter Brewis
    • Musician
    Barbara Rafferty
    • Woman with Baby
    • (as Barbara Ann Brown)
    Juliet Cadzow
    • Villager on Summerisle
    • (as Juliette Cadzow)
    Ross Campbell
    Ross Campbell
    • Communicant
    Penny Cluer
    • Gillie
    • Director
      • Robin Hardy
    • Writers
      • Anthony Shaffer(screenplay)
      • David Pinner(novel "Ritual") (uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The "evil eye" rowing boat, which takes Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) to and from his plane, was not constructed for this movie. It belonged to a resident of Plockton. Upon seeing it, the producers decided it would suit the movie. The boat survived until 2004 when it was destroyed in a storm.
    • Goofs
      During the scene in which the boys are dancing and singing round the Maypole,none of the children's lips are moving although we hear singing on the soundtrack.
    • Quotes

      Lord Summerisle: Do sit down, Sergeant. Shocks are so much better absorbed with the knees bent.

    • Crazy credits
      [Short Version only] A message from the producers thanks "The Lord Summerisle and the people of his island" for co-operating in the making of the film. This is despite both the lord and the island being totally fictitious.
    • Alternate versions
      A dual DVD set in a burnt wooden box was released in 2001 by Anchor Bay. It has the standard 88 (or 87) minute Theatrical Version. It also has a 99 minute Extended Version. This also has the events in chronological order (unlike the 88 min version). Unlike the 95 minute version it does have footage prior to Sgt. Howie's arrival on Summerisle, including him as a Preacher.
    • Connections
      Featured in Scream Greats, Vol. 2: Satanism and Witchcraft (1986)
    • Soundtracks
      Corn Rigs
      Written by Paul Giovanni

      Performed by Paul Giovanni

      [played over the latter half of the opening credits]

    User reviews587

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Chilling insight into ancient paganistic rituals, slightly chipped
    The bizarre and chilling tale of a fool chosen to be king for a day.

    The shocking denouement of this film has stayed with me for many years, far longer than scenes or images from more famous films. A classic of its kind, it deserves the re-release it will probably never get.

    Superficially a mystery thriller, this intelligent and well researched story delves into the beliefs and rituals of Ancient Britain, its folk mythologies and music, and reveals some of the un-settling fears that lie at their root. Set on a remote Scottish Island and giving the appearance of being a Whisky Galore, Local Hero type community, there is yet something off-centre about the townspeople that Edward Woodward, as Sergeant Howie, has come to investigate. The presence of Christopher Lee as the eloquent, commanding Lord of the Isle, gives the film an insidiously creepy edge suggesting a Hammer Horror lurks around the next wee wall. He is perfect in the role.

    The story un-folds like a cross between Chinatown and Rosemary's Baby, as the dogged Howie gets led all over town, up one blind alley and down another. Clues are dropped all the way about what is really going on, but we don't heed them. Until it's too late. Too late to walk away.

    The standard video version runs for 85 minutes, cuts many important scenes and shows others out of sequence. A BBC version shown in 1998 ran around 95 minutes. The full version ran 102 minutes but I have never found it.

    However, whilst uneven in parts and certainly flawed this is one of the most intelligent and interesting stories I have ever seen on film. See it yourself and you too will have many meetings with 'The Wicker Man', in your dreams, in the dark, where you cannot escape.
    helpful•193
    46
    • xander-2
    • Jan 5, 1999

    FAQ14

    • What is 'The Wicker Man' about?
    • Is 'The Wicker Man' based on a book?
    • How does Sgt Howie find out that Rowan is missing?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 7, 1974 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Hình Nhân Liễu Gai
    • Filming locations
      • Culzean Castle, Maybole, South Ayrshire, Scotland, UK(Exteriors ofLord Summerisle's island mansion)
    • Production company
      • British Lion Film Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $810,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $60,891
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,493
      • Sep 29, 2013
    • Gross worldwide
      • $200,258
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 28 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono

    Related news

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    Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland, and Edward Woodward in The Wicker Man (1973)
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