# I saw a really strange movie today (The Wicker Man) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 17, 2006, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-really-strange-movie-today-the-wicker-man/361116 "2006-06-17T23:46:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2006, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-really-strange-movie-today-the-wicker-man/361116/21 "2006-06-18T17:44:46Z")
I like that it can almost be called a musical with the number of musical numbers it has. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2006, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-really-strange-movie-today-the-wicker-man/361116/22 "2006-06-18T17:58:26Z")
Ah, yes, an excellent film. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2006, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-really-strange-movie-today-the-wicker-man/361116/23 "2006-06-18T18:36:38Z")
> [@seosamh](#): > > If you hadn’t already spotted it yourself, the rear view of Britt Ekland dancing provocatively in her skin in the room next to Mr Woodward is an obvious body double. What, you don’t believe that Britt Ekland has the ability to grow her hair longer and shorter while dancing? ---
**Author:** ![Promethea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Promethea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Promethea)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2006, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-really-strange-movie-today-the-wicker-man/361116/24 "2006-06-18T18:58:12Z")
The Wicker Man is one of my favourite films but its one of the few instances where I prefer the original theatrical cut. The Director’s Cut, showing the reactions of Howie’s colleagues, the note, plus some of the other more obvious clues (like the library book) signpost the end far too clearly. As for giving away the ending, I agree it’s best not to spoil it. Shame no-one told the people who put together the UK release of the DVD - the closing scene is on the front cover. Bit of a giveaway! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2006, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-really-strange-movie-today-the-wicker-man/361116/25 "2006-06-18T19:10:48Z")
> [@SkipMagic](#): > > Since the thread title doesn’t mention open spoilers, I’ve placed a spoiler box around the last paragraph in your post, **WhyNot** ; I know the movie is old, but it’s more of a cult favorite than a mainstream success, so the ending will be unknown to many. In addition, since a new version is coming out–whose ending might or might not be the same; I dunno–hopefully this will keep that version from being spoiled, too. No prob. I would like to unspoiler the non-spoilery bits, though, if I may: > [@](#): > > The original is simply HUGE in the neopagan community. I can sort of see why - it’s actually the most realistic portrayal of modern neopaganism I’ve ever seen on screen. [However, there’s stuff in the ending completely antithetical to neopaganism.] So, philisophically, I don’t like how they portray my people, but it is better than _The Craft_. If you think this is still too spoilery, I apologize. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2006, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-really-strange-movie-today-the-wicker-man/361116/26 "2006-06-18T19:11:31Z")
The original director of **The Wicker Man** , Robin Hardy, is trying to make his own “reimagining” of the story, starring Christopher Lee, Sean Astin and Vanessa Redgrave. It’s called, wait for it, **Cowboys For Christ**! [I kid you not!](http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0323808/) > [@](#): > > [Dailyrecord.co.uk](http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=17233531&method=full&siteid=66633&headline=lee--the-wicker-moan--name_page.html) > > 6.15.06 > > Excerpt from this interview with Christopher Lee, below. He also has a lot of negative things to say about a remake of The Wicker Man that is now being made with Nicholas Cage. > > Excerpt: > > In November and December 2004, Christopher was in Scotland filming The Adventures of Greyfriars Bobby and is hoping to get back soon to make Cowboys for Christ, which is written and directed by Wicker Man director Robin Hardy. > > Christopher said: “It’s not a sequel to The Wicker Man, but it has certain similarities in that it’s Scottish and has certain beliefs.” > > Already The Lord of the Rings star Sean Astin and Vanessa Redgrave have signed up for the film which tells the story of pagans who turn the Borders’ Common Ridings into fear festivals. > > Christopher added: "It’s funny, erotic and very frightening. > > “It’s about two young Americans who are very religious. He’s a cowboy and she is his fiancee. They are asked to go to Scotland to spread the word of the gospel.” > > The actor, whose first love was singing and even sang with Rhapsody, an Italian fantasy metal band a couple of years ago, added: “I actually get to sing quite a lot in the film.” > > Cowboys for Christ is still waiting for the green light and Christopher moodily adds: "Although nobody has said it, the insurers are probably asking: ‘how old is Christopher Lee? Is he going to live through this?’ > > “I don’t know why it’s not starting. God willing it’s soon.” Lee and Hardy may not like the fact that a remake is being filmed, but I’m first in line for ANYTHING that Neil LaBute does, so I’d see it no matter what. It’s going to be fascinating. Maybe even great. I love the original too though. We even bought the [special edition](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005KHJR/qid=1150657842/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/104-7238196-0934353?s=dvd&v=glance&n=130), which comes in a cool wooden box with the, um, “logo” burn-stamped on the front. We haven’t tried to set it on fire yet. Kate Bush trivia: The Innkeeper, whose daughter is a hypnotic wench indeed, is none other than Lindsay Kemp, who taught Kate how to dance. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2006, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-really-strange-movie-today-the-wicker-man/361116/27 "2006-06-18T20:36:30Z")
So that’s what Iron Maiden was singing about. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2006, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-really-strange-movie-today-the-wicker-man/361116/28 "2006-06-18T20:38:30Z")
? I’ve managed to make it this far without ever hearing an Iron Maiden song, so I have no idea what you mean. What did they sing about? ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2006, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-really-strange-movie-today-the-wicker-man/361116/29 "2006-06-18T20:58:50Z")
> [@Phase42](#): > > So that’s what Iron Maiden was singing about. No, I doubt it. [(Iron Maiden: The Wicker Man)](http://www.google.com/musics?lid=YV8j7L3RzjC&aid=hB_2nDE6TeH&sid=GYJwCmeYgWB&sa=X&oi=music&ct=result) That is, they prob’ly weren’t singing about the movie itself, but the old tradition of The Wicker Man. (You’ve heard of the [Burning Man](http://www.burningman.com/) festival? Same roots.) The Wicker Man is part of many “traditional” UK fall festivals, particularly around Lammas (early August). Historically, it’s a grain harvest festival. The story (which is probably false) goes that in Ye Olde Days, the king was king for a year only. At the end of his year at Lammas, he would be killed to celebrate the harvest, and his blood used to water the fields. Some stories of Druid sacrifice are similar, but involve building a large hollow man of straw and thatch (or “wicker,” if you will) and shoving it full of sacrificial people (or a single person) and setting fire to it. Nowadays, we don’t put people into the wicker man, but many groups still build wicker men and burn them as part of the Thanksgiving for the harvest. The general moral is that of willing sacrifice: that the king or Druid’s “victims” were in fact in full knowledge of their impending sacrifice, and chose to do so in order to take messages to the spirit world and ensure plenty and a good harvest the following year. If you want to get all mundane about it, the wicker man symbolizes that part of the grain harvest that you can’t eat if you want something to plant next year. Nowadays, we use it as a time to reflect on what we personally are willing to sacrifice to get what we want. This has very little to do with the movie, of course. But it’s where the “Wicker Man” concept comes from. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2006, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-really-strange-movie-today-the-wicker-man/361116/30 "2006-06-18T21:35:48Z")
Thanks, **WhyNot**. Burning Man is what first came to mind when I heard the song. I wasn’t familiar with the original concept (and I’d never heard of the movie, though I shouldn’t be surprised since Steve Harris’ songs are frequently inspired by “horror” movies). ---
**Author:** ![Phantom\_Dennis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/51bf81/32.png) [@Phantom\_Dennis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phantom_Dennis)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2006, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-really-strange-movie-today-the-wicker-man/361116/31 "2006-06-18T22:05:35Z")
It’s a classic and a must-see for any movie fan. There’s some '70s camp in it, but for the most part it’s a well-written mystery with a wonderfully forboding atmosphere and some excellent acting by Edward Woodward and Christopher Lee. And it pays off at the end. Does it ever. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Logan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@Don\_Logan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Logan)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2006, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-really-strange-movie-today-the-wicker-man/361116/32 "2006-06-18T23:23:29Z")
Awesome- onof the Top 5 horror films, ever- even with its flaws. And the most chilling fim ending ever. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2006, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-really-strange-movie-today-the-wicker-man/361116/33 "2006-06-19T01:15:13Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > The Wicker Man is part of many “traditional” UK fall festivals, particularly around Lammas (early August). Historically, it’s a grain harvest festival. The story (which is probably false) goes that in Ye Olde Days, the king was king for a year only. At the end of his year at Lammas, he would be killed to celebrate the harvest, and his blood used to water the fields. And for an American-set version, check the novel Tom Tryon’s HARVEST HOME, made into a darn-good-for-70s-TV movie THE DARK SECRET OF HARVEST HOME starring Bette Davis. Re the COWBOYS FOR CHRIST movie- I hope to God the title changes yet again- it’s already been THE RIDING OF THE LADDIE and MAY DAY. Otherwise, I’m really looking forward to it. For a while, they were having trouble getting the financing. Which infuriated me as THE WICKER MAN remake seemed to have no problem at all. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2006, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-really-strange-movie-today-the-wicker-man/361116/34 "2006-06-19T01:28:33Z")
> [@Biffy the Elephant Shrew](#): > > What, you don’t believe that Britt Ekland has the ability to grow her hair longer and shorter while dancing? You were looking at her hair? ---
**Author:** ![Minotaurus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@Minotaurus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minotaurus)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2006, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-really-strange-movie-today-the-wicker-man/361116/35 "2006-06-19T02:30:26Z")
I will also recommend the thriller “Eye of the Devil” (1967) with David Hemmings and David Niven. A movie which have some similarities with The Wickerman ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2006, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-really-strange-movie-today-the-wicker-man/361116/36 "2006-06-19T04:27:21Z")
> [@Phase42](#): > > So that’s what Iron Maiden was singing about. When I heard that Iron Maiden song it was the first time I’d heard of the Wicker Man – it wasn’t until years later that I learned there was a movie of the same name, and after _that_ was when Burning Man got popular and I learned even more. I also learned all I know about Alexander the Great from them. 😃 I tend to like offbeat and cult-y stuff, but when I finally rented the movie a couple of years ago I was horribly disappointed. Nothing scary, nothing ominous, nothing dramatic at all, and the ending made me yawn (and made very little sense, IIRC). The only reason I watched the entire thing was because I kept thinking that it just _had_ to get better eventually … but it didn’t. Sounds like the remake won’t bear much of a resemblance to the original, but maybe it will be an ok movie in its own right. (And I _like_ Nicolas Cage, dammit! :p) ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2006, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-really-strange-movie-today-the-wicker-man/361116/37 "2006-06-19T10:51:40Z")
And now the porn version … ‘The Whacker Man’ :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boulter_s_Canary)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2006, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-really-strange-movie-today-the-wicker-man/361116/38 "2006-06-19T23:13:04Z")
> [@glee](#): > > It gets shown on UK TV every so often. > > I agree it was very unusual. Sometimes when I go to remote country communities, I look at the villagers and wonder… Remote? They’re like that on the Isle of Sheppey! 😃 (If anyone ever wanted to make a British version of ‘Deliverance’…) ---
**Author:** ![Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boulter_s_Canary)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2006, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-really-strange-movie-today-the-wicker-man/361116/39 "2006-06-19T23:18:20Z")
[QUOTE=Equipoise] The original director of **The Wicker Man** , Robin Hardy, is trying to make his own “reimagining” of the story, starring Christopher Lee, Sean Astin and Vanessa Redgrave. It’s called, wait for it, **Cowboys For Christ**!QUOTE] Last I heard, it was called ‘The Riding of the Laddie’ (And the Sgt Howie character was somehow in it despite being dead). ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2006, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-really-strange-movie-today-the-wicker-man/361116/40 "2006-06-19T23:20:12Z")
> [@SkipMagic](#): > > Since the thread title doesn’t mention open spoilers, I’ve placed a spoiler box around the last paragraph in your post, You might want to look again. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-really-strange-movie-today-the-wicker-man/361116.md?page=1)