The Wicker Man Finally Gets The Upgrade It Deserves
The 1973 British folklore horror movie The Wicker Man is getting a 4K Ultra HD upgrade in a special edition SteelBook that includes Blu-ray and Digital. The set, scheduled for release by Lionsgate on October 17, also has an array of special featurettes that provide in-depth insights into the film’s production process.
The Wicker Man is a classic horror film about the terror of cults, and now, in 4K Ultra HD, it looks better than ever.
This includes a 1979 interview with The Wicker Man director Robin Hardy and star Christopher Lee. Another bonus clip takes viewers on a journey to the shooting locations of the iconic film to see how they have changed after all these years. An additional feature titled “The Wicker Man at 50” reflects on the movie’s five-decade history in light of its 50th anniversary.
“Robin Hardy’s Script: The Lost Ending” offers a glimpse into the original ending that The Wicker Man could have had based on its initial screenplay. There’s also an interview with Britt Ekland, a behind-the-scenes gallery, an examination of “The Music of The Wicker Man,” and several promotional trailers that were released in 1979, Why So Blu? reports.
Written by Anthony Shaffer, The Wicker Man is widely regarded as a cult classic and has had a significant influence on the horror genre. The story follows Police Sergeant Neil Howie (played by Edward Woodward), who travels to the fictional Scottish island of Summerisle to investigate the disappearance of a young girl named Rowan Morrison.
The Wicker Man includes an incredible performance from Christopher Lee as the creepy Lord Summerisle.
Howie is a devout Christian and is shocked by the pagan practices and rituals he encounters on the island. The locals, led by Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee), practice a form of Celtic paganism and believe in fertility rituals, human sacrifice, and the worship of various gods and goddesses. As Howie delves deeper into the mystery, he becomes increasingly disturbed by the island’s customs.
He suspects that Rowan might be in danger of being sacrificed in a pagan ceremony, and his desperation to find her intensifies. The tension between his Christian beliefs and the islanders’ pagan practices creates a clash of ideologies that drives much of the suspense in The Wicker Man. The film’s final sequence has become one of the most memorable moments in horror cinema history.
The Wicker Man is often celebrated for its unique blend of horror and mystery, as well as its exploration of religion, paganism, and the clash of different belief systems. It received mixed reviews upon its initial release but has gained a dedicated fan following over the years. There are multiple versions of the film due to issues with distribution and editing.
The 1973 version of The Wicker Man is considered to be significantly better than the Nicolas Cage remake.
The original version of The Wicker Man, which is considered the most faithful to the director’s vision, is often referred to as the final cut. There are also shorter versions that were released with altered or removed scenes. In 2006, a remake starring Nicolas Cage was released, but it was not as well-received as the original and is often criticized for its departure from the source material’s tone and themes.
In 2011, a movie intended to carry on the spiritual legacy of The Wicker Man was released. The Wicker Tree was directed by Robin Hardy and included an appearance by Christopher Lee. Interestingly, Hardy initially penned the story as a novel titled Cowboys for Christ. The story revolves around two young American Christian evangelists who journey to Scotland.
