Robin Hardy's 'The Wicker Man' is definitely a strange film, filled ominous folk music, odd residents and mystery. The film gets described as a ""The Wicker Man" is a puzzle of a film" (Calhoun, 2013) The film does leave little clues for the viewer leading up to the climax of the film. which come to together neatly later on, but a second viewing would make these clues clearer. For example, the beetle that is in the desk, is like the Sargent being lead on a wild goose chase until it's too late. However, although now it is considered a cult classic and one of Britain's best horror films was not well received when first released. "EMI disliked it so much that they wrote it off as a tax loss" (Russell, 2001)
Throughout the film the policeman is out of his comfort zone, he seems baffled and enraged by the communities religion. He can't comprehend that no one is a christian and is constantly questioning their faith. As mentioned in the Guardian, "he finds his solid Christian beliefs confronted by a community dabbling in all manner of dubious pagan practices" (Billson, 2010) The scene where the teacher is talking about phallic symbolism gets to the policeman. As well as, the fertility ritual and sun worshipping, none of these things make sense to him which is why he also refers to them as heathens. However, this element of the film can be a message about a crisis in faith. Up until the very end the policeman continued to pray and sing hymns in the hopes his god would aid him. But this ending doesn't happen and a much more grittier ending is presented.
According to other viewers and reviewers the 10 or more minutes cut from the film actually provide further detail. There is a deeper look into the policeman, focusing more on his backstory such as his relationship with his soon to be wife. which details that he is saving himself for his wedding night, which is important later on in the story. As well as that the other scene cut out involved a conversation about Summerisle apples, which is important to the harvest. According to Calhoun "but the confrontation between Sgt. Howie and Lord Summerisle (Lee) is plenty tense in the version that I have" This could have added to the tension when it comes to the conflict between the policeman and lord Summerisle.
Bibliography
Bbc.co.uk. (2001). BBC - Movies - review - The Wicker Man. [online] Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2001/12/17/the_wicker_man_1973_review.shtml [Accessed 19 Apr. 2018].
Billson, A. (2010). The Wicker Man: No 4 best horror film of all time. [online] the Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/oct/22/wicker-man-hardy-horror [Accessed 19 Apr. 2018].
Calhoun, B. (2013). [online] Rogerebert.com. Available at: https://www.rogerebert.com/balder-and-dash/the-wicker-man-the-cut-may-be-final-but-the-film-is-still-incomplete [Accessed 19 Apr. 2018].
Illustration:
Fig 1 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wicker_Man
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