Review of The Wicker Man (1973) by Art S — 02 Apr 2013

Edward Woodward is a deeply religious (Christian) cop who is called upon to investigate the disappearance and possible murder of a young girl on the Scottish island of Summerisle. What he finds there deeply conflicts with his values and views -- a thriving community of pagans led by none other than Christopher Lee (in a great performance).

Although somewhat cheesy at times, the movie doesn't hold back and shows the members of this rural farming community (in real Scottish locales) really honoring the rituals of the ancient past (for example, at one point, a teacher exclaims to her young pupils that the may day pole is like a giant penis symbolizing the fertilization of the land).

To say more about Woodward's quest would spoil the fun, but the movie does tilt into horror by the end.