Review of The Wicker Man (1973) by Henrik S — 17 Apr 2010

An extraordinary eerie and strange movie. A policeman is send to a remote island to investigate the disapperance of a young girl, only the become entangled into the web of a paganistic cult.

The movie has the feel of a 70ies camp movie, using many excuses (Paganism) to show naked women strolling and dancing around, leaning against graves or dancing around a bonfire (reminded me of the 1922 movie Haxan). While I was a bit put off by that in the beginning, it made sense in terms of the narrative later on and fitted well into the setting. The cast is solid, and apart from Christopher Lee, recruited out of the B-Ranks. Actually, Christopher Lee agreed to take part in this movie for free.

While the movie does not have lots of twists (except in the end), yet the brooding eariness and especially the growing uncomfortability of the police officer and the challenges to his Christian beliefs are a very interesting thing to observe. Christoper Lee pulls off hsi classic Lord of Terror thing here, which I found a bit of a heartless and formal performance.

The movie is entertaining and gritty and I highly recommend it.

A note on the movie's underlying anthropological assumptions. While I can understand how the portrayal of the islanders as ruthless pagans works for this movie, I strongly object any notions of taking this circumstance for real. Paganistic beliefs are far more rational and sensible than Christianity and people should not forget that.

Henrik.