THE WICKER MAN
UK, 1973, 86 minutes, Colour.
Edward Woodward, Britt Ekland, Christopher Lee, Diane Cilento, Ingrid Pitt.
Directed by Robin Hardy.
The Wicker Man is not for the squeamish: this film is recommendable to enthusiasts of unusual dramas. Ingeniously written by Anthony Shaffer (Frenzy, Sleuth), beware of judging incidents and styles before the horrifying conclusion.
An imaginary look at pagan beliefs and rituals in 1973 on a Scottish Isle, the film offers confrontation between heathen humanistic superstition and rigid Christianity. Tightly directed, with generally effective musical score, the film is well acted by Edward Woodward as an upright policeman and Christopher Lee as the head of the island, supported by Diane Cilento and Britt Eklund. The film utilizes well the modern "freedom" of the screen and makes relentlessly compulsive viewing for serious horror addicts. Cut scenes were restored in the 1990s and the film has a strong reputation as a horror classic
1. How ingenious was this film? In its screenplay in its contriving of situations and character? In its leading its audience on and tricking them? How successful was the screenplay?
2. How serious was the film meant to be? In its incidents? In its themes? Was it a message film? Or just a thriller? Why?
3. what were your impressions of Summer Isle? Its isolation, its yokels, their reaction to the policeman their secrecy etc.? The picture of life - modern bars etc., old fashioned shops etc.? What were your impressions of the heathen life of the island? Rose's lessons.. the fertility dance on the lawn. the maypole, the beliefs about God and evil?
4. How strong and significant was the confrontation between heathenism, its superstitions and Christianity? What values for heathenism were put forward? Its origins in the 19th century, in British Druid tradition, contrasting with and rebelling against Christian belief? How strong was the Christianity attacked? Was it Christ-like? How rigid was it? The flashbacks to Howle's beliefs and communion?
5. How did the film makes its contrast between the old ways of England and 1973? How did the film show the times and the people were similar?
6. How was Howle a contrast to this way of life? His arrival by plane, his character, his suspicions, his sense of duty? His type of investigation? His Christian beliefs etc.? How sympathetic a character was he? was this important for the film?
7. How important was it for Howle to be led each step towards his death? The importance of his curiosity? Sense of duty? Response to the lustful advances? His struggle with himself? His ingenuity in detection? The fact that the islanders were able to read his character and lead him so strongly? How important was this by the end of the film?
8. How sinister was the inn, the behaviour of Mc Gregor? The behaviour of the men in the inn? The depravity outside? McGregor's daughter and her dance? The importance of this? Its style? Her leading Howie on?
9. The importance of the sequence with the Morrison's and the disappearance of the daughter? The behaviour of the school girls? Miss Rose? The role of miss Rose on the island and the handing on of pagan tradition? The people on the island all in complicity? The sequence where Howie investigates heathenism in the library etc.?
10. The importance of Lord Summerisle? His character? His suave behaviour? His civilised putting forward of heathen belief? Your reaction to this? Did it coincide with Howie's?
11. Impressions of the celebrations? The way they were filmed? The role of Lord Summerisle? Howie's disguise? The growing suspense?
12. The importance of the rescue sequence? Where were audience sympathies here? The role of suspense and danger? What were your reactions when you discovered how Howie had been tricked?
13. Comment on the cinema value and the emotional response to the final sequences. The nature of the Wicker Man itself, the people and their singing, the hopes for the harvest, the martyrdom of Howie and the pain and torture of his death? The fact that they would have to repeat this the next year?
14. What values did Howie die for? The nature of his death and its meaning? What values did the film put forward? Where did it take its stance on good and evil?
