The Wicker Man

The Wicker Man is a cult 1973 British film containing thriller, horror and musical elements, directed by Robin Hardy, written by Anthony Shaffer and starring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Diane Cilento, Ingrid Pitt and Britt Ekland. Cilento subsequently married Shaffer.

Plot

Sergeant Neil Howie (Woodward), of the West Highlands Constabulary, is sent an anonymous letter recommending that he investigate the disappearance of a young girl, Rowan Morrison, on the remote Hebridean island of Summerisle. He flies out to the island and during his investigations discovers that the entire population follow a neo-pagan religion under the island's owner Lord Summerisle (Lee), worshipping the sun and engaging in other rituals.

Related Topics:
Highlands - Hebridean - Neo-pagan

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Howie, a devout Christian who holds very traditional values, is increasingly shocked by the islanders' behaviour; he is also both attracted and repulsed by the alluring and overtly sexual Willow (Ekland), the landlord's daughter. He has no assistance in his search from the islanders, who even deny Morrison exists, but using his police authority he persists and uncovers evidence suggesting the girl was a victim of human sacrifice. Delving deeper into the island's culture, he disguises himself as Punch, the principal character of the May Day festival, in an attempt to learn the details of the sacrificial death. But the islanders are not fooled, and at the end of the festival it is revealed that the girl is alive and unhurt: the letter was part of a ploy to bring Howie to the island in order for him to be the sacrifice.

Related Topics:
Christian - Human sacrifice - Punch - May Day

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As Howie is seized by the islanders, Lord Summerisle drolly notes that the sacrifice will be especially efficacious since the engaged Howie is a virgin, and like Punch, is simultaneously wise and a fool (for 'solving' Morrison's disappearance and yet for his arrogance towards the islanders). Howie is forced into the belly of a large hollow wicker statue of a man, which is set on fire. In the final shot of the film, the islanders surround the burning wicker man and sing the ancient English folk-song Sumer Is Icumen In while the terrified Howie shouts out Psalm 23 and implores divine vengeance on the island and its inhabitants.

Related Topics:
Engaged - Virgin - Wicker - Sumer Is Icumen In - Psalm 23

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