• The Wicker Man (1974)

    Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) arrives on the small Scottish island of Summerisle to investigate the report of a missing child. A conservative Christian, the policeman observes the residents' frivolous sexual displays and strange pagan rituals, particularly the temptations of Willow (Britt Ekland), daughter of the island magistrate, Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee). The more Sergeant Howie learns about the islanders' strange practices, the closer he gets to tracking down the missing child.

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The Wicker Man
87
metacriticBased on 16 Critics
78
Based on 12 Users

Release Date: June 30th, 1974

DVD Release Date: August 21st, 2001

R |1 hr 42 min

Plot Summary

Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) arrives on the small Scottish island of Summerisle to investigate the report of a missing child. A conservative Christian, the policeman observes the residents' frivolous sexual displays and strange pagan rituals, particularly the temptations of Willow (Britt Ekland), daughter of the island magistrate, Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee). The more Sergeant Howie learns about the islanders' strange practices, the closer he gets to tracking down the missing child.

Cast: Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland, Diane Cilento, Lindsay Kemp, Ingrid Pitt, Roy Boyd, Donald Eccles

Director: Robin Hardy

Genres: Thriller , Horror , Mystery

Production Co: British Lion Film Corporation [gb]

Keywords: 1970s, Temptation, Police officer, School, Sacrifice, Mystery, Daughter, Investigation, Suspenseful

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Ratings & Reviews

  • 88
    The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

    This excellent British film is an eerie, thoroughly engrossing thriller about the disappearance of a youngster and the events that follow when a policeman goes to a small, privately owned island to investigate. [23 Jan 1988]

  • 88
    James BerardinelliReelViews

    A film that defies categorization, The Wicker Man can be considered to be a horror film, a psychological thriller, a musical, or a melodrama. In reality, since it includes elements of each of those types, it literally has something for just about everyone. show more

  • 100
    Film Threat

    Not really a horror film at all, but a dark religious thriller with a creepy edge and a song in its heart. The film wittily mixes the starkest possible religious conflict with enchanting 70’s era folk music, creating the first comparative religions quasi-musical thriller. show more

See all critic reviews on metacritic.com