The Wicker Man

In terms of execution, it's nothing great – often shoddy editing and dull staging of potentially impressive scenes that could have been among the gems of cinema. But maybe that's why Wicker Man impressed me so much. The nagging feeling that I was watching something unconventional, original and distinctive, persisted in me the whole time, culminating in the surprising ending in exactly my favourite cinephilic way. The script is very clever and manages to keep the viewer's curiosity and slight tension, the actors give convincing performances and the Scottish music completes the immersive formal setting. It makes me think that if Kubrick had made something like this, I wouldn’t be able to sleep for a week out of sheer excitement. 75% (2018-09-03)

This is one of those films that always convince me (when I’m in doubt) that my efforts to fill my horror film education are not pointless. It is permeated by an incredible atmosphere, though not a scary or horror one – The Wicker Man is only marginally horror – but the very particular atmosphere of countryside, fields, sun, etc. I didn’t mind at all the music score (though it’s not something I like much elsewhere) because it helps the film a lot; it’s really good. The film has a great twist, which today wouldn’t be as shocking as thirty years ago, but it still adds points. For me, this a gem that should captivate everyone (provided they are in the right mood, like I was), even if there are a few things that deserve criticism. I haven’t watched the recent remake with Cage and I don’t want to. (2008-06-26)

I had the same feeling from The Wicker Man that I usually experience when reading reviews written in Swahili; these feelings are identical to when Howie enters Summerisle pub. What more do you need to know about the investigations of a shy fanatic and his battle against pagan windmills which is hard to determine the genre (s) of and even those of us with the confidence of Donald Trump wouldn’t dare to try. Just don’t worry about that and let yourself be sucked in by THAT atmosphere, the actors, the songs, the Vermin Man by the maypole, Lee’s flowing locks, phallic symbols and... And one of the most unusual (and one of the best) movie experiences ever. Shirley Jackson would have loved this. (2012-06-21)

Colorful fictional folklore, a bit of hippie poetics of apple growing and casual sex, a bit of dull detective story kicked off with the final twist. Yes, its atmosphere cannot be denied, it can be resonating like Christopher Lee's tone color - especially in an epic ending. But the filmmaking is really mediocre, full of naivety and, in the extended version, quite disturbing visual excesses. In short, the film didn't entice me nearly as well as like-minded crazy films (which I consider to be my heart's capital) would have. Feel free to burn me to death - great idea, slightly above-average movie. (2011-02-11)

A remote Scottish island with dramatic rock formations and windswept vegetation... The atmosphere of the location and the depiction of the cult mentality of its inhabitants make this a unique film, for a near B-movie debut of a director who then gave up on filmmaking. The equivocation of everyone present, the seductive sexual undertone, the helplessness of the main character of the police sergeant whom no one respects, and the almost spectacular sophistication of the people’s strange beliefs and their origins make The Wicker Man an absorbing, plot-driven flick. (2020-04-13)