Horror is a genre of film that is meant to scare, startle, shock, and even repulse audiences. It is a genre that has fascinated film goers since the early silent period of cinema. One of the Horror sub-genres is, “folk Horror”, which is defined in Wikipedia as a horror film that uses elements of folklore to invoke fear and foreboding. Widely regarded as the greatest folk horror film ever made is the 1973 original version of, “The Wicker Man”. Known as the creation of its screenwriter, Anthony Shaffer, the movie is currently one of the few films directed by the sometimes actor, Robin Hardy. Based on this film, it is a great shame that Hardy did not direct many more movies.
The close isolation of a small island is the perfect location for the folk horror setting, as many of this island’s population are devout and superstitious. What the movie does is keep that element intact while changing the faith of their belief into something older and mystical.
A deeply religious Scottish Police officer, Neil Howie (Edward Woodward), receives an anonymous letter from a remote island off the Scottish coast that informs him of the disappearance of a girl on the island. Howie is also a licensed pilot, as he arrives there by flying in a seaplane. Once on the Island, he discovers that not only are all the townspeople pagans who worship the Celtic gods of their ancestors, but that they do so openly and with no inhibitions. From there, Howie’s investigations lead him to suspicion of foul play as he is initially told that the missing girl is first unknown to anyone and then dead and buried.
The fascinating element of the movie is the way the Islanders are shown to be nice, polite, and very happy people, while Howie is this rigidly obedient Christian fanatic. Howie is obtuse, rude, and arrogant. Right from the start, he starts giving orders and pushing his way through the lives of these strange people and their ancient beliefs. I have seen other similar folk horror films, where pagan society is shown as evil and disturbing. Here, we are shown their strange customs, which include sexually open promiscuity, swallowing of whole reptiles as medicine and the performance of strange mystical dancing as being different, but not necessarily evil. At one point, Howie discovers a group openly performing sex outside for everyone to see.
They have a leader who is a descendant of the man who started the colony over a hundred years earlier. He is a lord who owns the entire island and is played by that Icon of British horror, Christopher Lee. Lee, who made a career playing the British version of Dracula, plays the part in exactly the opposite way you would expect. He is not threatening or secretive. He is polite, handsome, and very charming. He seems very open with his beliefs and the beliefs of his people. His performance is stunning as it plays against type. Throughout the movie it is Howie, who I disliked, refusing to sympathize with, and Lee’s character, who I admire. In addition, all the people on the island seemed quite joyous and happy. This holds true for almost the entirety of the movie. Up until the unforgettable ending.
Another interesting character is the one played by the ravishing Britt Ekland as the Inn keepers’ daughter, who is tasked with trying to see if Howie will agree to forego his virginity before his upcoming marriage. The stronger Howie gets at abiding to his Pius Christian beliefs, the less sympathetic he becomes, while Ekland’s character continues to be irresistibly alluring.
Music plays a big part in the movie as well. The soundtrack is original, having been composed by Paul Giovanni and performed by the folk band Magnet. The lyrics of the songs work as a chorus to the film, adding meaning to the scenes, making elements of the movie feel like a musical containing elements of Shakespearean comedy.
“The Wicker Man” is not a comedy however. It is a horror movie that purposefully wants you to think it is something else. It cleverly led me to a point that was unexpected, leaving me gasping for air. Not being the type of horror that includes constant scenes of shock, it is a slow burner that cleverly leads its unexpected viewer to its terror. It is one of the great horror films of cinema. Be warned, its terror will linger long after the closing credits.
1001 Movies before you die 