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And on that grave there grew a tree...
This film is absolutely brilliant.
I only re-discovered this one in the past couple of years, and it is rapidly
rising on my list of treasured favorites. It is utterly unique, amazingly
unnerving, and it features Christopher Lee at the top of his creepy form.
The version reviewed is the long
cut of the film. To learn more about the different versions (and to visit
a great site) click here- The
Various Versions of The Wicker Man . For even more Wicker-info, click
HERE
The film begins as Police officer
Sgt. Howie (Edward Woodward) receives an anonymous letter from a resident
of Summerisle (a Scottish agricultural island noted for its "famous apples")
asking for help in locating a missing girl. Howie goes to Summerisle to
investigate, but is met with conflicting stories regarding the girl. As
he goes about his inquiries, Howie (a devout protestant Christian) becomes
more and more disgusted by the islanders. They are openly sexual, practice
a pagan earth-worshipping religion, and seem to speak in riddles when asked
direct questions about the girl (all the while insisting that Howie needs
the approval of the Lord Summerisle to conduct his investigation).
After much frustration, Howie visits
His Lordship (Christopher Lee). By this time, Howie has found the grave
of the girl, and, suspecting some vaguely-defined form of ritual murder,
seeks permission to exhume her body. Lord Summerisle is (surprisingly to
Howie) seemingly helpful. Finally in a position to "get to the bottom"
of the islanders' sacrilege, Howie demands to know if these people have
ever "heard of Jesus". At this point His Lordship sits Howie down and explains
the evolution of the Islanders' belief system.
It seems that His Lordship's Grandfather
bought the island in the 19th century in order to grow fruit, as it offered
volcanic soil, was surrounded by a warm gulf stream, and had a population
of "wiry labor". He believed the population would be jolted out of their
apathy if they were given back their "joyous old gods". When Howie asks
"what about the true god- to whose glory churches and monasteries have
been built on these islands for centuries past- now sir- what of him?"
Lord Summerisle replies "he's dead..can't complain..he had his chance,
and, in modern parlance.. blew it".
An indignant Howie reminds Summerisle
that he is still the subject of a Christian country, and demands permission
to exhume the girl's body. Summerisle replies "I was under the impression
I had already given it to you".
Howie finds a hare (not a silly
old rabbit) in the grave, and becomes convinced he must find the truth
himself. After reading up on paganism in the village library and viewing
the last year's harvest festival photograph (featuring the missing girl
and very little produce), Howie strikes on the idea that the girl is not
dead, but is being held as a sacrifice to appease the gods (and renew the
crops) on Mayday.
Unable to return home to summon
more officers, Howie steals the costume of Punch (one of the great fool-victims
of history) in order to infiltrate the Mayday parade. As the procession
nears its end (Our more dreadful sacrifice), Howie sees the girl, tied
to a stake, apparently awaiting sacrifice. He frees her, and "escapes"
through underground caves from the villagers pursuing them.
They arrive above ground to the
sight of Lord Summerisle waiting patiently. "Did I do it right?" the girl
asks. "You did it beautifully!", replies Summerisle. The girl-as-sacrifice
had all along been a trap to ensnare Howie...
At this point the christian/pagan
conflict comes to a boil. Lord Summerisle declares that Howie, coming to
this point as he did of his own free will, with the power of the king (as
a representative of the law), and as a virgin (although middle-aged, he
has kept himself "pure" for his wedding-day), is the sacrifice most likely
to restore the island's crops. Realizing his position, Howie gives an impassioned
speech about his belief in Christ (to which His Lordship responds "that
is good, for believing as you do, we confer upon you a rare gift these
days: a martyr's death"), and challenges the beliefs of the Villagers.
He states that there is no sun God, no Goddess of the fields, and (to Lord
Summerisle) that if the crops fail next year, no one less than the king
of Summerisle will do (as a sacrifice) . Howie is stripped, dressed in
a white robe, and anointed for sacrifice.
What follows is an excellent example
of separating the "men from the boys" (apologies to my women readers) as
far as endings go. It would be easy to imagine policemen rushing onto the
scene at this point, with Summerisle saying something "chilling" as he's
lead away, or perhaps the villagers committing suicide rather than face
imprisonment. But no...
Howie is led uphill to keep his
"appointment" with the wicker man, a towering image of a man built out
of wood, with livestock in the "arms" and "legs", and with a compartment
for him in the torso.
The structure is set on fire as
the assembled village, led by Lord Summerisle, sings a song welcoming the
coming summer. Howie loudly quotes scripture, sings "the Lord is my shepherd"
and prays for deliverance, but is is drowned out by the mounting flames.
In the closing shot, the "head" of the structure collapses, and the setting
sun fills the screen.
This film works on nearly all levels.
The acting by the principles is excellent, and the local atmosphere is
very convincing. And the music! This movie is not readily available in
stores, but in a day or two I'll provide a link so you can purchase it.
An absolute must-see.
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