In December of 1973, two movies that would change the face of horror and the ways it dealt with religion and spirituality were released. One was an instant hit, immediately changing the landscape of the genre forever. The other was severely cut by executives who simply did not understand it and unceremoniously slapped into the B-picture slot on double bills with Don’t Look Now, where it seemed to die a quick death. Over time, it grew from an underground cult discovery to a genre-defining masterpiece. The former is, of course, William Friedkin and William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist, which remains a terrifying and inimitable masterpiece. The latter is Robin Hardy and Anthony Schaffer’s The Wicker Man, a truly remarkable film that became a flashpoint for an emerging subgenre—Folk Horror. Though both films deal in religion, The Exorcist and The Wicker Man could not be more divided in their approach to the subject.
- 5/9/2024
- by Brian Keiper
- bloody-disgusting.com
The satirical masterpiece goes well beyond what one expects from folk horror, with Edward Woodward as the priggish cop sent to investigate a pagan island
After 50 years, here is a re-release for that gamey satirical masterpiece of folk horror – although “prog horror” is perhaps a better description. Folk horror, like film noir, is a term that seems to have been first used by critics before film-makers themselves, but The Wicker Man is so much better and more distinctive than any film that comes under the folk-horror heading that it’s virtually a one-movie genre in itself. It now appears billed as a “final cut”: a restoration complete with the footage that was excised when it was released as a B-picture support to Don’t Look Now in 1973.
It is a brilliant conspiracy-chiller set on May Day on a remote fictional island off the Scottish coast, ruled over by the haughty...
After 50 years, here is a re-release for that gamey satirical masterpiece of folk horror – although “prog horror” is perhaps a better description. Folk horror, like film noir, is a term that seems to have been first used by critics before film-makers themselves, but The Wicker Man is so much better and more distinctive than any film that comes under the folk-horror heading that it’s virtually a one-movie genre in itself. It now appears billed as a “final cut”: a restoration complete with the footage that was excised when it was released as a B-picture support to Don’t Look Now in 1973.
It is a brilliant conspiracy-chiller set on May Day on a remote fictional island off the Scottish coast, ruled over by the haughty...
- 6/21/2023
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
A new season of The Wicker Man is upon us. The classic 1973 horror film, which is arguably the best-known of three British films from its era that embody “folk horror” (the others being Witchfinder General and Blood on Satan’s Claw), is returning to UK cinemas for one night on June 21 in a special new 4K remastered version of the “Final Cut,” complete with re-edited footage deleted from the original, troubled theatrical release.
Following that, the three existing versions of the film (The Wicker Man may rival Blade Runner in the department of different cuts), all in 4K Uhd, will be released in an exclusive 50th anniversary collector’s edition on Sept. 4. The five-disc set will also contain a bevy of goodies, including new essays, an EP of music, and plenty of other bonus content.
Despite a turbulent production and initial release, The Wicker Man has only grown in stature over...
Following that, the three existing versions of the film (The Wicker Man may rival Blade Runner in the department of different cuts), all in 4K Uhd, will be released in an exclusive 50th anniversary collector’s edition on Sept. 4. The five-disc set will also contain a bevy of goodies, including new essays, an EP of music, and plenty of other bonus content.
Despite a turbulent production and initial release, The Wicker Man has only grown in stature over...
- 6/20/2023
- by Don Kaye
- Den of Geek
Director Robin Hardy’s 1973 folk horror film The Wicker Man (watch it Here) is considered to be a genre classic – and the folks at Studio Canal are certainly showing it a lot of love and respect with their upcoming 5-disc collector’s edition release, which will contain Blu-ray (which may be locked to Region B) and 4K Uhd (All Region) discs. The street date for this release is September 4th – and before that, Studio Canal will also be holding a “one night only” theatrical re-release event on June 21st.
In addition to the 5-disc collector’s edition, there will be a new digital release and a steelbook.
Inspired by David Pinner’s 1967 novel Ritual, The Wicker Man was directed by Hardy from a screenplay by Anthony Shaffer. The film has the following synopsis: When a young girl mysteriously disappears, Police Sergeant Howie travels to a remote Scottish island to investigate.
In addition to the 5-disc collector’s edition, there will be a new digital release and a steelbook.
Inspired by David Pinner’s 1967 novel Ritual, The Wicker Man was directed by Hardy from a screenplay by Anthony Shaffer. The film has the following synopsis: When a young girl mysteriously disappears, Police Sergeant Howie travels to a remote Scottish island to investigate.
- 5/3/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Classic folk horror movie The Wicker Man turns fifty later this year, but today, May 1, 2023, makes for the perfect time to celebrate its momentous anniversary.
The entire premise centers around May Day festivities, after all, building its horror around the themes of rebirth, fertility, and the driving desire for an isolated community to thrive with a fruitful harvest. What’s now considered a foundational pillar of folk horror wasn’t always the case. The Wicker Man eschewed conventional horror tactics that puzzled upon initial release, mining its ultimate terror from one unforgettable ending.
The opening text attempts to establish authenticity with a producer’s thanks to Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee) and his people for cooperating with the film’s production and providing insight into their religion and culture. It then cuts to a seaplane arriving at the remote Summerisle setting over the opening credits, introducing Police Sergeant Neil Howie (Edward Woodward...
The entire premise centers around May Day festivities, after all, building its horror around the themes of rebirth, fertility, and the driving desire for an isolated community to thrive with a fruitful harvest. What’s now considered a foundational pillar of folk horror wasn’t always the case. The Wicker Man eschewed conventional horror tactics that puzzled upon initial release, mining its ultimate terror from one unforgettable ending.
The opening text attempts to establish authenticity with a producer’s thanks to Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee) and his people for cooperating with the film’s production and providing insight into their religion and culture. It then cuts to a seaplane arriving at the remote Summerisle setting over the opening credits, introducing Police Sergeant Neil Howie (Edward Woodward...
- 5/1/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Happy May Day, the traditional halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. It celebrates new life, specifically harvests and the oncoming warm summer months. May Day festivities include Maypole dancing, bonfires, and gathering wildflowers. All things that become so much more sinister in horror – just ask Ari Aster about that one.
We’re celebrating May Day with five folk horror movies you can stream now, from foundational classics to modern frights. Here’s where to watch them this week.
For more Stay Home, Watch Horror picks, click here.
Apostle – Netflix
Writer/Director Gareth Evans brings every bit of the bone-crunching brutality of The Raid and The Raid 2 to his period folk horror film. The Guest’s Dan Stevens stars as Thomas, a man who travels to a remote island in 1905 to infiltrate the cult that’s kidnapped his sister for ransom. The cult leaders claim that...
We’re celebrating May Day with five folk horror movies you can stream now, from foundational classics to modern frights. Here’s where to watch them this week.
For more Stay Home, Watch Horror picks, click here.
Apostle – Netflix
Writer/Director Gareth Evans brings every bit of the bone-crunching brutality of The Raid and The Raid 2 to his period folk horror film. The Guest’s Dan Stevens stars as Thomas, a man who travels to a remote island in 1905 to infiltrate the cult that’s kidnapped his sister for ransom. The cult leaders claim that...
- 5/1/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Back in 1973, director Robin Hardy and screenwriter Anthony Shaffer brought us the horror classic The Wicker Man (watch it Here), which was inspired by David Pinner’s 1967 novel Ritual. In the decades since, The Wicker Man has inspired the likes of Edgar Wright’s Hot Fuzz, received a “spiritual sequel” called The Wicker Tree, and had its good name sullied by the 2006 remake directed by Neil Labute and starring Nicolas Cage. Now it’s set to get the TV treatment. Deadline reports that a The Wicker Man TV series is in development at the Studiocanal-backed company Urban Myth Films and Andy Serkis and Jonathan Cavendish’s company The Imaginarium.
Howard Overman, creator of the Epix series War of the Worlds, is writing The Wicker Man TV series and the production companies are currently pitching the project to potential broadcasters. Overman told Deadline that the series “will differ from the...
Howard Overman, creator of the Epix series War of the Worlds, is writing The Wicker Man TV series and the production companies are currently pitching the project to potential broadcasters. Overman told Deadline that the series “will differ from the...
- 10/12/2022
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
The classic horror movie The Wicker Man is set to be adapted into a television series by Andy Serkis and Jonathan Cavendish’s Imaginarium Productions and Urban Myth Films. According to Deadline, BAFTA-winning writer Howard Overman (War of the Worlds) has written the script, and Imaginarium and Urban Myth have acquired the rights from Studiocanal. The project is currently in the early stages of being pitched to potential broadcasters. The original Wicker Man was released in 1973, directed by Robin Hardy and starring Edward Woodward, Britt Ekland, Diane Cilento, Ingrid Pitt, and Christopher Lee. It was penned by Anthony Shaffer, who was inspired by David Pinner’s 1967 novel Ritual. The film centers on Police Sergeant Neil Howie, a devout Christian, who visits an isolated Scottish island in search of a missing girl, only to find the island’s inhabitants involved in Celtic paganism. While the TV adaptation is expected to differ from the original film,...
- 10/12/2022
- TV Insider
Many actors have played Count Dracula over the years, but who is the best? My vote goes to Max Schreck in "Nosferatu." His is a truly nightmarish creature, feral and pestilent, stripped to the barest vestige of humanity after centuries of scuttling around in the shadows. Sure, his character is called "Count Orlok," but that name change and other tweaks didn't fool anybody, resulting in a lawsuit from Bram Stoker's estate that almost wiped the film from existence.
But with most movie fans, you have a two-way tussle between Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee. Lugosi's classic Universal monster is regal and intense, with a hypnotic gaze and a much-imitated accent. Crucially, though, he just isn't very scary.
Lee played the Count in Terence Fisher's racy 1958 Hammer adaptation of "Dracula," pairing him with Peter Cushing as his adversary, Van Helsing. He portrayed the vampire as a lustful, ferocious predator,...
But with most movie fans, you have a two-way tussle between Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee. Lugosi's classic Universal monster is regal and intense, with a hypnotic gaze and a much-imitated accent. Crucially, though, he just isn't very scary.
Lee played the Count in Terence Fisher's racy 1958 Hammer adaptation of "Dracula," pairing him with Peter Cushing as his adversary, Van Helsing. He portrayed the vampire as a lustful, ferocious predator,...
- 8/14/2022
- by Lee Adams
- Slash Film
For much of Robin Hardy’s cult classic of British cinema, The Wicker Man, you would be excused for not realizing you were watching a horror movie. Granted, this cornerstone of folk horror is bizarre from the word go, and more than a few scenes border on the perverse, yet it functionally is not trying to scare you; the movie prefers to madden and intrigue via the mystery of a missing child on a remote Scottish isle. It also infuriates, because the vanished lass’ only hope is our sour protagonist Sgt. Neil Howie (Edward Woodward), a stick in the mud who clearly slept through the 1960s and will now pay for it on an island led by a man who missed the modern world altogether—Christopher Lee’s delightfully learned pagan, Lord Summerisle.
It’s shocking, then, how quickly the film’s dreamy nature changes once Howie and the audience...
It’s shocking, then, how quickly the film’s dreamy nature changes once Howie and the audience...
- 6/23/2022
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
The Wicker Man
Blu ray
Viavision [Imprint]
1973 / 1.85 : 1 / 93 Min.
Starring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland
Written by Anthony Shaffer
Directed by Robin Hardy
While away on assignment in Scotland, a melancholy company man experiences a life-changing, and possibly supernatural, transformation. This tale of magic and metamorphosis isn’t Bill Forsyth’s utopian Local Hero but Robin Hardy’s apocalyptic The Wicker Man, the story of a god-fearing detective named Neil Howie. The lonesome hot shot of Forsyth’s film is given a new lease on life but for Howie there’s no such reward—just a whiff of fire and brimstone as his dreams go up in smoke.
The title card reads “Anthony Shaffer’s The Wicker Man“, suggesting that the famed playwright was a more than equal partner along alongside Hardy and the film’s producer, Peter Snell. Shaffer based his screenplay on David Pinner’s Rituals, a...
Blu ray
Viavision [Imprint]
1973 / 1.85 : 1 / 93 Min.
Starring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland
Written by Anthony Shaffer
Directed by Robin Hardy
While away on assignment in Scotland, a melancholy company man experiences a life-changing, and possibly supernatural, transformation. This tale of magic and metamorphosis isn’t Bill Forsyth’s utopian Local Hero but Robin Hardy’s apocalyptic The Wicker Man, the story of a god-fearing detective named Neil Howie. The lonesome hot shot of Forsyth’s film is given a new lease on life but for Howie there’s no such reward—just a whiff of fire and brimstone as his dreams go up in smoke.
The title card reads “Anthony Shaffer’s The Wicker Man“, suggesting that the famed playwright was a more than equal partner along alongside Hardy and the film’s producer, Peter Snell. Shaffer based his screenplay on David Pinner’s Rituals, a...
- 6/7/2022
- by Charlie Largent
- Trailers from Hell
Alex Westthorp Oct 1, 2019
Witches, demons and ancient pagan rituals: Alex explores the use of folk horror in the Doctor's adventures...
This article originally ran on Den of Geek UK.
Thought to be a relatively recent term, coined by director Piers Haggard and popularised by Doctor Who's own Mark Gatiss, "folk horror" is essentially horror based on old countryside folklore. It is a sub-genre of occult fiction, which encompasses paganism, witchcraft, superstition, legends and the traditions of the countryside. Often texts will refer to "Green man" rituals, stone circles, Devil worship, disfigurement and the "memories" of the earth.
In the cinema, folk horror is at the fore in films like the 1967 Hammer classic The Devil Rides Out, Terence Fisher's vision of the 1934 novel by Denis Wheatley, Piers Haggard's own 1974 film Blood On Satan's Claw (which incidentally features a terrific cast including a pre-Who Anthony Ainley and a post-Who Wendy Padbury...
Witches, demons and ancient pagan rituals: Alex explores the use of folk horror in the Doctor's adventures...
This article originally ran on Den of Geek UK.
Thought to be a relatively recent term, coined by director Piers Haggard and popularised by Doctor Who's own Mark Gatiss, "folk horror" is essentially horror based on old countryside folklore. It is a sub-genre of occult fiction, which encompasses paganism, witchcraft, superstition, legends and the traditions of the countryside. Often texts will refer to "Green man" rituals, stone circles, Devil worship, disfigurement and the "memories" of the earth.
In the cinema, folk horror is at the fore in films like the 1967 Hammer classic The Devil Rides Out, Terence Fisher's vision of the 1934 novel by Denis Wheatley, Piers Haggard's own 1974 film Blood On Satan's Claw (which incidentally features a terrific cast including a pre-Who Anthony Ainley and a post-Who Wendy Padbury...
- 10/1/2019
- Den of Geek
In today's Horror Highlights, we have a look at three "Stalker in My Pocket" It enamel pins from Pixel Elixir. Also in today's Horror Highlights: details on The Comforts of Cafe Himbo and Friends cookbook co-written by Joe Zaso and Beverly Orth-Geoghegan, the lineup for London Horror Festival 2019, and release details as well as a trailer for Replace (starring Barbara Crampton).
Release Details for Pixel Elixir's It Enamel Pins: "$8.00
What do you get when you cross the classic Monster In My Pocket toys from the 90s with some of your favorite big-screen horror villains? The answer is Stalker In My Pocket!
Each soft enamel pin is about 2.5" tall and comes with dual rubber clutches on a glossy backer card patterned after the classic Monster In My Pocket toy packaging. The second pin in this series, It, comes in 3 fun variants to collect:
• Original
• Glitter
• Neon Red (glows in the dark!
Release Details for Pixel Elixir's It Enamel Pins: "$8.00
What do you get when you cross the classic Monster In My Pocket toys from the 90s with some of your favorite big-screen horror villains? The answer is Stalker In My Pocket!
Each soft enamel pin is about 2.5" tall and comes with dual rubber clutches on a glossy backer card patterned after the classic Monster In My Pocket toy packaging. The second pin in this series, It, comes in 3 fun variants to collect:
• Original
• Glitter
• Neon Red (glows in the dark!
- 9/6/2019
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
We've heard rumblings about a Wicker Man sequel for a couple of years now, but it was never really clear (to me, at least) whether or not this thing would actually get made. However, recently the very first teaser trailer for The Wicker Tree arrived online, so apparently they found the money to make it a reality after all. Writer/director Robin Hardy has returned to this cult classic some 37 years later to continue the story, which is pretty amazing in and of itself. It seems to be more of a retelling of the original, with Christopher Lee playing a similarly evil role, although I'm not sure if it's supposed to be the same character. This time around there are two young Christians from Texas who foolishly bring their missionary work to Tressock, Scotland, where they fall victim to the pagan villagers. Nicolas Cage's The Wicker Man remake has...
- 9/16/2010
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
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