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The Wicker Man

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Ranked #22,491 in Entertainment, #273,053 overall

"Time to keep your appointment...
with the Wicker Man."

This September Nic Cage stars in a new version of The Wicker Man. The original 1973 film starred Christopher Lee and Edward Woodward, and is regarded as one of the finest little-known masterpieces of terror on film.

The original Wicker Man is a fascinating film about a cop, Sargeant Howie, who is sent the photo of a missing girl on the isolated off-shore community of Summerisle. The cop, played by Edward Woodward, is a devout Christian who finds himself confronting the pagan beliefs and practices he encounters on the island, led by Christopher Lee as Lord Summerisle in one of his most brilliant performances.

Sargeant Howie checks into the Green Man inn and struggles to resist the temptation of the landlord's daughter, Willow. His sensibilities are further offended when his investigation about the missing girl support suspicions that she is the victim of foul play, a sacrifice for the failure of last year's crops, and everyone on Summerisle is part of the plot and cover-up. Sargeant Howie's mission becomes even more urgent when he realizes he must act immediately to prevent the next sacrifice from being consumed in the burning horror of the wicker man!

Contents at a Glance

The Wicker Man - Reality and Myth
Scene from The Wicker Man (2006)
Interview with Wicker Man director Neil...
The Wicker Man - 1973
Scene from The Wicker Man (1973)
The Wicker Man on DVD

The Wicker Man is inspired by legends that the druids burned human sacrifices in a giant effigy or cage of wicker.

The legend is offered in Julius Caesar's Gallic wars: "Others have effigies of great size interwoven with twigs, the limbs of which are filled up with living people which are set on fire from below, and the people are deprived of life surrounded by flames. It is judged that the punishment of those who participated in theft or brigandage or other crimes are more pleasing to the immortal gods; but when the supplies of this kind fail, they even go so low as to inflict punishment on the innocent "

It has been argued that there is no other evidence for this practice, neither artifactually nor written record.

Scene from The Wicker Man (2006)

Interview with Wicker Man director Neil La Bute and star Nic Cage

The Wicker Man - 1973

New promo for the DVD.

Starring Christopher Lee, Edward Woodward, Ingrid Pitt, and Britt Ekland.

Scene from The Wicker Man (1973)

At the Green Man, the pub patrons treat Sargeant Howie to "The Landlord's Daughter", sung in honor of Willow (played by Britt Ekland).

The Wicker Man on DVD

The wicker Man written by Anthony Shaffer (Sleuth) and directed by Robin Hardy was recut at the insistence of it's original theatrical distributor. The cut scenes from the master print have gone missing.

Eleven minutes have been restored in the Extended Version that comes with the Limited Edition Collector's Box Set. These Eleven minutes came from a video source. There are alot of interesting pieces in the extra footage, more of Christopher Lee's performance, and Willow's seduction of Sgt. Howie is in a different place.

Both versions have been remastered, but you will notice the visual quality of the restored scenes is from a different source.

Bid on The Wicker Man Limited Edition Box Set

Seeing how the value has gone up from 2001's suggested retail price of 29.99, I've added this module to show any Wicker Man box set for sale at auction prices on eBay.

Cowboys for Christ - Wicker Man follow up

Not a sequel, but a companion following the spirit of the original film, Robin Hardy's novel Cowboys for Christ is also being produced into a film, with Christopher Lee playing Sir Lachlan Morrison this time.

Preview
Young Beth and Steve, a gospel singer and her cowboy boyfriend, both Christian members of the no-sex-before-marriage cult they call the 'silver ring thing', leave Texas to preach door-to-door in Scotland.

Scotland and all Europe are as foreign to them as if they were in Papua New Guinea.
When, after initial hostility, they are welcomed with joy and elation to Tressock, the border fiefdom of the sinister Sir Lachlan Morrison, they assume their hosts simply want to hear more about Jesus.

How innocent and wrong they are.

The Wicker Man Books and Soundtracks

Wicker Man Collectibles

Wicker Man Online

Official Website
Warner Bros. site for the 2006 version.

Christopher Lee Fan Site
A great actor with an incredible voice and delivery, often remembered for roles in Hammer horror films like the Dracula series. Recently he's also played Count Dooku, the Sith Lord in Star Wars Episodes II and III, Saruman in Lord of the Rings, and has been appearing in Tim Burton films like Corpse Bride and Charlie and the Chocolate factory.

Nuada
Website of the Wicker Man Journal and fanzine.

Director Robin Hardy interview
Director of original film talks about the Wicker Man.

Fan Website
A great looking fan website.

Wicker Man Vacation
Visit the hotel that served as the interior for the Green Man! Located in Creetown, Dumfries and Galloway, South West Scotland.

Cowboys For Christ
Robin Hardy and Christopher Lee's next film is a sort of Wicker Man companion, and it's currently in production.

Halloween Shop
Getting in the mood for Halloween? Visit the Halloween Shop and browse new costumes, decorations, and more!

Learn more about Nic Cage's upcoming film, Ghost Rider...