Her name was Rowan, the Rowan tree represents deception, if only he knew that also if he gave into Willow serenade he would have proven to be unsuitable.
@@falconeshield Your wrong, him being a virgin has everything to do with his creative force potency being strong enough to transfer into making the island fertile again, he was even told that just before he was placed into the Wicker Man that in Lord Summerisle own words that he was tested & proven to be the ("Right kind of adult") a young virgin girl would have been fine but an adult is even better, Willows serenade was the major test, if he was no longer a virgin he would have proven to be unsuitable.
@@waitpu4817 Eh, yes and no. If you go by the final film, that argument does hold water. In the original script though, the film leaves out a line when Summerisle says Howie rejecting Willow's offer makes him "doubly acceptable" a sacrifice. The implication being that even if he slept with her, they still would've killed him since the requirements were he had to come to the island as a virgin; there's nothing to suggest he had to stay one after he arrived.
Poor Howie, doomed the moment he arrived on the island. The most chilling scene for me, when the islanders hum in unison as he tries to reason with them on the clifftop. One of the best British films ever made. A genuine masterpiece.
@@pinkbrando Nah tbh a lot of indi horror films I watch these days are just prettentious and not scary at all. I havent watched many but that tends to be true when I try to watch one. They seem to be more conserned with getting nerds on youtube to praise them for being experimental than actually trying to tell a good story and being creepy, a lot of modern directors confuse experimenting with good film making. Though as I've said thats only true for some of the few ive seen if you have any reccomendations that would be cool.
Personally, I believe that this film has to be seen from start to finish in its fullest form to appreciate it. I think it is the most troubling and disturbing film you will ever see. It's not "human centipede", or a "Saw". But bloody hell? Its what I like to deem a "thinking man's" horror.
Also just to crowbar in an "I blame Thatcher" angle, in the 70s they had much more public investment in the arts, so filmmakers didn't have to churn out pulp to fill seats at the cinema
Played along with the occult revival of the 60s and 70s. It’s crazy too think the Druids were routinely sacrificing people in rituals in real life for years before they were ran out.
My favorite scene is The House Visit. I love the verbal sparring between Summerisle and Howie. Howie is so worked up, while Summerisle is calm, cool & collected. The Sacrifice scene is the most powerful scene in the film, but the House Visit gives us insights into the disparate characters of the 2 men.
@@waitpu4817 nah the island climate isnt for growing fruit and they are trying to force nature to make it so by killing peoplem they are clearly evil and stupid. Lmfao
Last year in religion at school my teacher played the ending of this movie (I dont remember why) and i remember my whole class was practically scarred but my horror fan brain frickin loved it
@@Rubytuesday1569 Every time I see this movie at the end I giggles.,.. its just he is screaming when he was so sure of himself and the Pagans are below singing, swinging arms , swaying...I find it just hilarious.
Why listen to the words being a xion /christy we give you a great honour today you will be in paradise with the elect sucking you Jesuses parts ha ha ha
The 13:10 "appointment with the Wicker Man" scene contains some of the most brilliant elements of HIGH CINEMA. Framing, photography, acting and physique-du-role on Woodward's "I believe in the life eternal..." dialogue stands almost as a Colossal movie scene. And Sir Lee's words are at the same time frightening, epic and brilliant at the acting level. Nobody could do better than this director, these actors, these locations, this crew, this soundtrack and this set designer. This scene represents a profound conflict (lasting centuries and centuries) between Christianity and pre-Christian paganism, reproduced in the twentieth century. I have never in my life seen such a concept prepared and implemented better than this. And the wicker effigy at the end of the film is a very strong scene, which does not leave indifferent. This film can be read on different levels, but with each viewing, you will always find something new to ponder. TOTAL MASTERPIECE!
'Sir Christopher', Alessio! Always first name or full name with Sir - never 'Sir Surname'. Please kick me. Always good to see someone getting as much out of this film as I do, A. All best!
When it initially came out here in cinema, in the UK, it was double-billed with the film 'Don't Look Now'. What a fantastic treat that must have been for everyone who originally saw them together. 😮
"Well, he's dead. He can't complain. He had his chance, and in modern parlance - blew it." Christopher Lee was marvelous. They all were just marvelous. I just saw this in a museum last Sunday. It was about as perfect a Sunday could be. The theater was quiet, and everyone snickered at the same time Lee delivered this line and Woodward's character jumps up, "What...!" I was the best time I've ever had at a movie. No one was on their phone. No one talked or got up. It was so perfect.
Diana Dors Thank you for asking, I would have to say: 5. The Exorcist 4. A Nightmare on Elm Street 3. Halloween 2. The Shining 1. Psycho how about yours?
Diana Dors Interesting. Top 10, oh god. It’s hard, but here it is. 10. Tremors 9. The Omen (1976) 8. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 7. The Godfather Part II 6. The Godfather 5. 2001: A Space Oddesy 4. The Wicker Man 3. The Exorcist 2. Psycho 1. The Shining. If you asked me on another day, it’d probably change. What about yours?
Fun little fact: the rabbit is a symbol of fertility in early Christianity, often associated with the Virgin Mary. Symbolism that can be easy to miss in this film if you're not familiar.
'It's a Hare, not a silly old Rabbit' - line from the film. The March (Spring) Hare symbolises rebirth (a theme they talk about in the film - renew the cycle.. Better the crops.. pregnancies etc.) and is seen as a sacred animal.
@@Teborasaur spot on old chap, what a fuckin movie. Outstanding...but I must admit i didnt say that straight away after watching the film.. but i think that's normal,. Brendan daly here on my wife e s phone
Midsommar needs s sequel!!I want to know what's going to happen to Dani and her cult.I always wanted to know what will happen to their"may queens".It appears that they had many may queens over the years.
Funny how my study in American Indian culture gave me insight into this movie that I wouldn't have otherwise known, like Rowan is the tree of deception, Oak is the tree of strength & Willow is love, The Mohawk Indians not being the only ones did the Maypole ceremony as well, I actually found out more about my own European heritage through American Indian studies than from any European source, like Stonehenge, they go on about the mystery of it & what it was used for but it's simply a Medicine Wheel even though it's use can get quite complicated & varied, there are cultures alive today that practice it & you can buy a book on it (The Sun Bear Medicine Wheel book) to help you begin to understand its uses. That's the thing that I admire about the American Indians so many released information to the public that in most other cultures is restricted to privileged initiates in secret societies.The other thing is that in general Along with the Australian Aboriginals is that instead of sacrificing other people or animals the warrior men sacrificed themselves like in the scarring ceremonies & Sundance's, as the term goes (So the people can live).
The disturbing nature of the last 10 minutes doesn’t fully set in until it’s over. For some reason, as inevitable as the ending may seem for the entire movie, you feel like there’s a chance of making it out of there. This is hilarious too. I think I love the movie. I also think folk horror is officially my “thing”
I never knew Edward Woodward ever acted with Christopher Lee. That's just an overload of awesome. I've always been a fan of the original The Equalizer television series.
Did you know Woodward had a terrific singing voice too? He released over a dozen albums. Some of them are on CZcams, including him singing in an episode of The Equalizer.
This movie has everything for everyone: Britt Ekland for the straight boys. Britt Ekland for the gay boys. Britt Ekland for the undecided lesbians. Britt Ekland for the lesbian lesbians. And for everyone else? Christopher Lee! 👱♀️
The music in the cave chase is pretty spot on and starts the action of what a chase scene would be. It sounds a bit like something out of a 70s Hanna-Barbera Cartoon like Jonny Quest or the song “House Of The Blue Danube”.
The scary scene of the Wicker Man is the Sacrifice scene (especially with the farm animals screaching and getting burnt to death along with the person inside it to statue.
Well this movie is quite popular here in Scotland, some beautiful locations given a very unsettling atmosphere, I've visited most of the places featured in the movie, I'd recommend a visit, you will be greeted with tea and cakes and are unlikely to be sacrificed inside a burning effigy . Great little horror film and owes much to a brilliant screenplay by Anthony Shaffer. Edward Woodward is a very good British actor , maybe best known in America for his TV series The Equalizer , here he does a very good Scottish accent I have to say and it is his performance as a righteous Scottish policeman who's authority is slowly eroded away right to the point of the horrifying unexpected climax that carries the film along, it is unsettling and harrowing because there is a sense of realism rather than fantasy, and that ominous feeling throughout that something very very bad is going to happen!!!
I just saw this movie this afternoon on This TV and I kept thinking Edward Woodward looked familiar. I kept thinking Equalizer. Thanks for confirming that. I was trying to imagine an older Equalizer. I wish they would put that rerun back on antenna TV.
This movie is drenched in British folk lore and tradition, some of it going back thousands of years. Neatly entertwined with a modern story, just like the maypole.
The Sergeant really had no answer for Lord Summerisle when he said Mary a virgin was impregnated by a ghost. The shade of it!. He really dummed down the Sergeant and Christianity
It is truly refreshing to see both Sgt. Howie and the islanders hold their respective ideals in good faith, extremist though they both may be about it (lethally so in the islanders' case). It is a quality that is sorely lacking in our own benighted and emotionally immature, yet still violently polarized, times.
I just watched it this afternoon. I didn't find it to be a horror film other than the ending. Kind of boring and dry with a bit of satire. More like a mind twister bender.
I had a weird ass dream about this movie last night. I’ve seen this movie a few times and it’s a classic, but in my dream there was a scene where Sgt. Howie was investigating in an apartment in Summerisle where a version of the music from the cave chase played in the background and when the music stopped, Howie arrived at a bedroom where a kid was drawing a picture on his desk and Howie asked what he was drawing and the kid told him he was drawing his own OCs “Mr. Incredible and Incredible Jr.”, when I saw this in my dream, I was like “Pixar should’ve been sued a long time ago”. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
In the days when you went to the cinema and got two films for the price of one, it was shown along with 'Don't Look Now'. and was deemed to be too long; some scenes had to go....
Only one complaint about the movie: That 70's "boogie" music they play when he frees Rowan. It's so incongruous. It had been so good up to that point with its folk music and then they went all "Shaft". 😆😆
I feel like it gives a more effective sense of false hope- as the music undergoes a genre shift we hope in spite of ourselves that the film will too and produce for us a happy ending. But no, regardless of any temporary change in score, we have an appointment with the wicker man.
Women jumping naked over bonfires? Perhaps a little dangerous but I applaud the actors and actresses who played in this film, and in particular the late Sir Christopher Lee.
@@theomellors688 lol you've clearly never been to a Presbyterian church. Uf I was Catholic, you might have a point. But 'ritualism' is something that is heavily denounced by low church Protestants. And who says that's what's wrong with paganism anyway? It's not the rituals, it's the fact that they involve human sacrifice.
I had nightmares for weeks after seeing this movie. I didn't even sleep after seeing the ending. This is the most the horrifying movie I ever saw in my life. I still have nightmares at times on burning of the Wicker Man
I trust the sight of the young people refreshes you?....No Sir, it does NOT refresh me! Shocks are so much better absorbed with the knees bent... So many wonderful lines in this extraordinary film. Both Lee and Woodward were magnificent. Great filming. And the music is just beyond superb.
I saw this on late night local tv station when I was about 11 years old. They didn't edit it and I was totally wood-struck by Britt Eckland. I remember being confused why the policeman would get it on with the blonde. Actually being 11 I was confused about the whole move. I just like the name scenes, the cool plane, the bagpipes, the cool house, and the parade. Then again it probably 1 in the morning before the ending.
There are so many great scenes in this film. I LOVE the arm scene. You forgot the beetle scene (that one's quite profound) and the seduction Britt Ecklund scene (I can't believe you left that one out). Are you sure you want to give away the ending? The ending is what makes it one of the best horror films I've ever seen.
@@Spocklee yes.. in fact I know a few myself and although I do not live in a pagan community (sadly) I do consider myself a neopagan in some ways. Here in Europe, especially in the northern regions isn't hard to find people who follow the old ways, but of course these beliefs are practiced privately and are unknown by most. Obviously this movie isn't an accurate representation of what heathens do nowadays, but I still found it fascinating.
@@Spocklee there are multiple ways: if you are born into a family or commune that already follow pagan traditions than it's pretty easy to continue that patch. Although, that doesn't happen to most of us... There are also families like mine, where traditions are pretty subtle and/or mixed with christian traditions so it's hard to tell them apart but usually in the rural area it's pretty common for the older people to subconsciously follow some pagan traditions. For example, where I lived (in a slavic country) we always held celebrations on solstices and equinoxes - at summer solstice we jumped through bonfires to be healthy, at the end of winter burned a doll to ritually kill the spirit of winter to welcome spring.. older people were often very superstitious, sometimes belived in trickster spirits and all kinds of stuff.. I could tell other things too but it would be too long. So I took part in some traditions but didn't realise at first their pagan origin. But it gave a good basis about what it is about. And here we come to the way most people become pagans- finding about paganism somehow, and after learning about it realising how fitting it is for ourselves. That's what happened to me too- I liked history and quickly became fascinated with ancient nomadic cultures and vikings and here am I now, practicing neopaganism/neoshamanism. There are many branches of paganism and I mostly know about the practices in Europe but basically I consider most naturalistic religion or spiritual belief system that aren't monotheistic a form of paganism. Anxiety nordic, hellenic, celtic etc... You don't even have to necessarily worship any old gods to be a pagan- for some, the only "god" is Nature and Life itself.. and there are also ecletic pagans who mix traditions from different patches to create their own interpretation.. So if you are interested you could look into types of paganism to understand what they are about, or if it possible, try to find out what your ancestors or people in your area belived in, and how they lived. Even if you don't become a pagan yourself, it's very interesting to look into it. And if you are really into it, you can join a pagan community online, or look for others in your area to meet and do your rituals together. If you are further interested I can give you some links and more info on what to look into :) Btw where are you from? If it's not private of course
@@hanaphelps9971 I am sure... it's basically like a contemporary Wicker Man. Jordan Peele said the same thing basically, calling it the best pagan horror film since The Wicker Man.
Ah May Day. For the chop scene there is another version that has someone (probably Lord Summerisle) say: "Here comes the Sun who shall chop off your head."
Ingrid Pitt in many a Hammer Horror and Sean Connery,James Bonds first wife.Incredible the cast of this film.Its like they all knew this would become a cult classic,one of the best films ever made.
Robert Bates actually it is not. Two construction guys were frustrated with work. One of them stated”lots burn it man (stress). The built a 10 foot man to burn and began the festivities to relieve stress. It grew with each year. They did it with no funding , no grants, just donations. It was officially called Black Rock City. It kicked off in 1986. Participants would donate what they could, and bring what they could. It started off on Sunday’s only one founder Larry Harvey then developed the ten principles. Art grants then began to come in and were accepted. The burning man is now 100 feet tall. It began with 20 people and now has in 2017 there were 70,000 people. Larry Harvey died at the age of 70 from a stroke in 2018. There is so much more . Too much to type. Cool huh
@@marykrabach8692 that’s how it’s marketed, but it is pagan ritual repackaged as some new wave esoteric festival and is able to attract thousands. Part of the great deception. That’s why it’s good to be awake.
The girl pretending to lead him to safety while actually delivering him to his captors is the most blood curling scene of this amazingly scary movie.
I know man this horror movie crap is insane. I am going to watch foltyn play roblox
Agree. That's nasty.
This movie is genuinely scary
That's why you should never trust women.
The girl’s betrayal at the end always gets me
All the village,even kids are part of the plot against Howie.
Her name was Rowan, the Rowan tree represents deception, if only he knew that also if he gave into Willow serenade he would have proven to be unsuitable.
@@waitpu4817 Na, he had to arrive as untouched, him romping Williow would've given him an hour of fun, but nothing else.
@@falconeshield Your wrong, him being a virgin has everything to do with his creative force potency being strong enough to transfer into making the island fertile again, he was even told that just before he was placed into the Wicker Man that in Lord Summerisle own words that he was tested & proven to be the ("Right kind of adult") a young virgin girl would have been fine but an adult is even better, Willows serenade was the major test, if he was no longer a virgin he would have proven to be unsuitable.
@@waitpu4817 Eh, yes and no. If you go by the final film, that argument does hold water. In the original script though, the film leaves out a line when Summerisle says Howie rejecting Willow's offer makes him "doubly acceptable" a sacrifice. The implication being that even if he slept with her, they still would've killed him since the requirements were he had to come to the island as a virgin; there's nothing to suggest he had to stay one after he arrived.
Poor Howie, doomed the moment he arrived on the island. The most chilling scene for me, when the islanders hum in unison as he tries to reason with them on the clifftop. One of the best British films ever made. A genuine masterpiece.
Or when the animals are screaming he's about. To be set on fire and they are dancing and smilling
I thought they’re humming was actual music
This film is genuinely terrifying. Much scarier than the gore fests of today.
No one actually likes gore fests... every year has many good horror films. Just because gore is profitable doesn't mean it's actually well liked
It is so unsettling throughout. Cracking horror film.
@@pinkbrando Nah tbh a lot of indi horror films I watch these days are just prettentious and not scary at all. I havent watched many but that tends to be true when I try to watch one. They seem to be more conserned with getting nerds on youtube to praise them for being experimental than actually trying to tell a good story and being creepy, a lot of modern directors confuse experimenting with good film making. Though as I've said thats only true for some of the few ive seen if you have any reccomendations that would be cool.
Because it's a documentary...
@@silentwitness4843 THEY LIVE 😅
“Naturally - it’s much too dangerous to jump through fire with your clothes on!” = one of the best lines in cinema
Its a fair point actually
I love this line too. And it's so "logical"!
Personally, I believe that this film has to be seen from start to finish in its fullest form to appreciate it. I think it is the most troubling and disturbing film you will ever see. It's not "human centipede", or a "Saw". But bloody hell? Its what I like to deem a "thinking man's" horror.
@ Christopher Lee actually described the film as his proudest role and he wasn't paid for it.
ITS A MASTERPIECE OF A MOVIE,WITH PROBABLY THE BEST movie twist and ending of all time.. I love it ,but it sure took time for it to sink in..
In the 70s they valued the uncanny a lot more. They put work into building a smouldering menace
@@gavinpowers1217 he is terrific in it,he actually to me looks as if he was born to play this role... class act.
Also just to crowbar in an "I blame Thatcher" angle, in the 70s they had much more public investment in the arts, so filmmakers didn't have to churn out pulp to fill seats at the cinema
One of the weirdest films I've ever seen... The ending was mentally scarring.
Mr Rieper the remake was ridiculous. This one was something else Christopher Lee one of the all time 🐐
Played along with the occult revival of the 60s and 70s. It’s crazy too think the Druids were routinely sacrificing people in rituals in real life for years before they were ran out.
This kind of sacrifice done by Freemason,illuminati,bohemian Grove as a part of zionists ritual
Its hard to think about it, I watched it last night.
i'm still in counselling
My favorite scene is The House Visit. I love the verbal sparring between Summerisle and Howie. Howie is so worked up, while Summerisle is calm, cool & collected. The Sacrifice scene is the most powerful scene in the film, but the House Visit gives us insights into the disparate characters of the 2 men.
To bad it wasn't shown Lord Summerisle explaining how impoverished they had become under Christian rule.
Also shows the men's true religions..and the far more superior one, too.
@@Ciipher5113 yes Christ is real and the son of God and paganism is fake.
@@waitpu4817 their crops never grew. They are pedos. Its a pedo island like Epstein which actually also had tons of occult symbols. Hmmmm.
@@waitpu4817 nah the island climate isnt for growing fruit and they are trying to force nature to make it so by killing peoplem they are clearly evil and stupid. Lmfao
Last year in religion at school my teacher played the ending of this movie (I dont remember why) and i remember my whole class was practically scarred but my horror fan brain frickin loved it
Still as disturbing as when I first saw it.
@@Rubytuesday1569 Every time I see this movie at the end I giggles.,..
its just he is screaming when he was so sure of himself and the Pagans are below singing, swinging arms , swaying...I find it just hilarious.
@@keirgazelle2451 Ahahahah! Human sacrifice! Lmao! So funny, am I right?!
Why listen to the words being a xion /christy we give you a great honour today you will be in paradise with the elect sucking you Jesuses parts ha ha ha
The 13:10 "appointment with the Wicker Man" scene contains some of the most brilliant elements of HIGH CINEMA. Framing, photography, acting and physique-du-role on Woodward's "I believe in the life eternal..." dialogue stands almost as a Colossal movie scene. And Sir Lee's words are at the same time frightening, epic and brilliant at the acting level. Nobody could do better than this director, these actors, these locations, this crew, this soundtrack and this set designer. This scene represents a profound conflict (lasting centuries and centuries) between Christianity and pre-Christian paganism, reproduced in the twentieth century. I have never in my life seen such a concept prepared and implemented better than this. And the wicker effigy at the end of the film is a very strong scene, which does not leave indifferent. This film can be read on different levels, but with each viewing, you will always find something new to ponder. TOTAL MASTERPIECE!
'Sir Christopher', Alessio! Always first name or full name with Sir - never 'Sir Surname'. Please kick me.
Always good to see someone getting as much out of this film as I do, A. All best!
Is it just me or is every scene iconic.
"Do sit down, Sergeant, shocks are so much better absorbed with the knees bent".
Epic line!
When it initially came out here in cinema, in the UK, it was double-billed with the film 'Don't Look Now'. What a fantastic treat that must have been for everyone who originally saw them together. 😮
"Well, he's dead. He can't complain. He had his chance, and in modern parlance - blew it." Christopher Lee was marvelous. They all were just marvelous. I just saw this in a museum last Sunday. It was about as perfect a Sunday could be. The theater was quiet, and everyone snickered at the same time Lee delivered this line and Woodward's character jumps up, "What...!"
I was the best time I've ever had at a movie. No one was on their phone. No one talked or got up. It was so perfect.
I ROASTED IT AS IF IT WAS NOTHING
I just love how he instantly walked around town and told how everyone basically to fuck off all the way to his death.
Dude that scene with Christopher lee in the house. How has that dramatic standup “WHAT!?!?” never been memed??
Obscure reference, wouldn't be circulated quickly
Easily one of the best shots in cinema history
Best scene is when he realises he is going to be burned alive as a human sacrifice, absolutely horrific.
I agree.
@@terrortower666 what other horror movies do you enjoy, what would be your top 5 ?
Diana Dors Thank you for asking, I would have to say:
5. The Exorcist
4. A Nightmare on Elm Street
3. Halloween
2. The Shining
1. Psycho
how about yours?
@@terrortower666
1. Exorcist
2. Psycho
3. IT (remake)
4. The Texas chainsaw massacre
5. Omen
What about top 10 films in any category of all time?.
Diana Dors Interesting.
Top 10, oh god. It’s hard, but here it is.
10. Tremors
9. The Omen (1976)
8. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
7. The Godfather Part II
6. The Godfather
5. 2001: A Space Oddesy
4. The Wicker Man
3. The Exorcist
2. Psycho
1. The Shining.
If you asked me on another day, it’d probably change. What about yours?
Great movie.
A leader without a people is a mad man.
A mad man with a people is a God.
Who the hell said that
American loves wahhabi bed fr 😭😭
America loves roothschild Uncle Sam
Doesn’t really make any sense that
Quote doesn't even make sense, what's a people?
Fun little fact: the rabbit is a symbol of fertility in early Christianity, often associated with the Virgin Mary. Symbolism that can be easy to miss in this film if you're not familiar.
'It's a Hare, not a silly old Rabbit' - line from the film. The March (Spring) Hare symbolises rebirth (a theme they talk about in the film - renew the cycle.. Better the crops.. pregnancies etc.) and is seen as a sacred animal.
@@Teborasaur spot on old chap, what a fuckin movie. Outstanding...but I must admit i didnt say that straight away after watching the film.. but i think that's normal,.
Brendan daly here on my wife e s phone
like Us.
It’s a pagan symbol.
Soo,when I was younger some sick fkr just got a sick gratification out of our rabbit killing it's babies,then a week later I caught pink eye,fuall
My dad accidentally put this on for me when I was a kid when he was a bit drunk. Woke up to find a traumatised child 😂😂
🤣🤣🤣🤣
LOL 🤣🤣🤣
We can tell by your avatar you have daddy issues 😂
It’s what dads do 😂
Love this film. Wish more people would talk about the amazing music throughout it.
Agree. The music is some of the best music I've ever heard - anywhere.
THE WICKER MAN's Most Iconic Scenes ....ALL OF THEM!! ;-)
Zane Missing quite an IMPORTANT one! Maybe because it’s NSFW?
@@davidhtg OOOOeerrrrrgggggghhhhhh. Schlupp, schulp, schulp... Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!
No
Midsommar seems like a better remake of this than the actual remake was.
Midsommar needs s sequel!!I want to know what's going to happen to Dani and her cult.I always wanted to know what will happen to their"may queens".It appears that they had many may queens over the years.
Exactly...
Midsommer was okay. Most of the characters were stupid and inauthentic though.
@@EmeraldBayMovies it was better than The Wicker Man with Nicolas Cage.
@@ashg7219 No argument from me there lol
I had no idea what this was about when I first saw it on TV but it stayed with me for years. Spooked me lots.
Funny how my study in American Indian culture gave me insight into this movie that I wouldn't have otherwise known, like Rowan is the tree of deception, Oak is the tree of strength & Willow is love, The Mohawk Indians not being the only ones did the Maypole ceremony as well, I actually found out more about my own European heritage through American Indian studies than from any European source, like Stonehenge, they go on about the mystery of it & what it was used for but it's simply a Medicine Wheel even though it's use can get quite complicated & varied, there are cultures alive today that practice it & you can buy a book on it (The Sun Bear Medicine Wheel book) to help you begin to understand its uses. That's the thing that I admire about the American Indians so many released information to the public that in most other cultures is restricted to privileged initiates in secret societies.The other thing is that in general Along with the Australian Aboriginals is that instead of sacrificing other people or animals the warrior men sacrificed themselves like in the scarring ceremonies & Sundance's, as the term goes (So the people can live).
The disturbing nature of the last 10 minutes doesn’t fully set in until it’s over. For some reason, as inevitable as the ending may seem for the entire movie, you feel like there’s a chance of making it out of there. This is hilarious too. I think I love the movie. I also think folk horror is officially my “thing”
"Do sit down Sergeant, shock is so much better absorbed with the knees bent."
I never knew Edward Woodward ever acted with Christopher Lee. That's just an overload of awesome. I've always been a fan of the original The Equalizer television series.
I wasn’t even aware the original VA (the late Christopher Lee) for DiZ was a part of this film!
Did you know Woodward had a terrific singing voice too? He released over a dozen albums. Some of them are on CZcams, including him singing in an episode of The Equalizer.
Superb horror film that doesn't rely on gore or special effects. Brilliant acting and direction to create the eerie atmosphere.
Such a weird film, but so much of its time. I find Lee's speech at 17:46 unbelievably chilling.
Lord Summerisle gave Sgt. Howie the luxury of losing on Howie's own spiritual terms. Would that all of our adversaries be so magnanimous!
This film is beautiful. Period
This movie has everything for everyone: Britt Ekland for the straight boys. Britt Ekland for the gay boys. Britt Ekland for the undecided lesbians. Britt Ekland for the lesbian lesbians. And for everyone else? Christopher Lee! 👱♀️
Ingrid Pitt for me…
@@sueneilson896 There’s always one, Sue.
The music in the cave chase is pretty spot on and starts the action of what a chase scene would be. It sounds a bit like something out of a 70s Hanna-Barbera Cartoon like Jonny Quest or the song “House Of The Blue Danube”.
Funny, I think it is the weak point of an otherwise superb soundtrack.
Such a beautiful and light-hearted film. The villagers were so nice to him.
One of the best horror films of all time.
This film is so disturbing because it feels like it could actually happen in a nearby village. Iconic.
I saw this about 10 years ago; it freaked me out bad.
This movie just gets weirder and weirder as you get into it.
Monster plot movie,sheer brilliance in film making and conceiving.. a masterpiece.
I'm 34 years old and I have trouble falling asleep sometimes just randomly thinking about this movie.
Considering the approximately twenty minute time frame, the selection of which scenes were to be included, is outstanding.
"...it is I who will live again, not your damned apples"
The scary scene of the Wicker Man is the Sacrifice scene (especially with the farm animals screaching and getting burnt to death along with the person inside it to statue.
Never go to small islands anywhere if you've never had sex.
@Gavin Powers
Exactly....!
I kept away from Anglesey for years, just in case.
Well this movie is quite popular here in Scotland, some beautiful locations given a very unsettling atmosphere, I've visited most of the places featured in the movie, I'd recommend a visit, you will be greeted with tea and cakes and are unlikely to be sacrificed inside a burning effigy . Great little horror film and owes much to a brilliant screenplay by Anthony Shaffer. Edward Woodward is a very good British actor , maybe best known in America for his TV series The Equalizer , here he does a very good Scottish accent I have to say and it is his performance as a righteous Scottish policeman who's authority is slowly eroded away right to the point of the horrifying unexpected climax that carries the film along, it is unsettling and harrowing because there is a sense of realism rather than fantasy, and that ominous feeling throughout that something very very bad is going to happen!!!
Well, reality check...others paid the curse price for this,now I'm a disliked disgraced mom
>unlikely to be sacrificed inside a burning effigy
sounds like something that someone that wants to sacrifice me inside a burning effigy would say
I just saw this movie this afternoon on This TV and I kept thinking Edward Woodward looked familiar. I kept thinking Equalizer. Thanks for confirming that. I was trying to imagine an older Equalizer. I wish they would put that rerun back on antenna TV.
The shadow of the wickerman is rising up again
Nice reference 🤘
UP THE IRONS
@@JazDickinson1 Iron Maiden's gonna get all of you!
This movie is drenched in British folk lore and tradition, some of it going back thousands of years. Neatly entertwined with a modern story, just like the maypole.
The Sergeant really had no answer for Lord Summerisle when he said Mary a virgin was impregnated by a ghost. The shade of it!. He really dummed down the Sergeant and Christianity
“It’s much more dangerous to jump thru fire with your clothes on” God damnit, that’s a good one 😂
I read where Edward Woodward made the comment that he thought the ending was the most visual ending ever made.
First movie I watched that didn’t have a happy ending
Same
You apparently haven't watched enough..
GentleGoat he said first. You don’t know when he watched it
I love movies with creepy endings.
@@gentlegoat6663 i watched it when i was like 9 or 10 but okay
I've always loved this film. So weird and marvellous, love all the music.
no doubt one of the inspirations of midsommar!!
Yep,it was,but Midsommar is nowhere near as good !
In the weird world of the 2020's this film feels positively wholesome.
you donut
It is truly refreshing to see both Sgt. Howie and the islanders hold their respective ideals in good faith, extremist though they both may be about it (lethally so in the islanders' case). It is a quality that is sorely lacking in our own benighted and emotionally immature, yet still violently polarized, times.
I feel for those who do not get this masterpiece.
I don't get it all. Some creep show where a guy is savagely killed by a group of barbarians.
@@yevgeniyzharinov7473 Sorry for your loss.
@THE PROPHETS Reading these comments, that seems to be many people. I don’t understand why anyone would consider this a horror film.
I just watched it this afternoon. I didn't find it to be a horror film other than the ending. Kind of boring and dry with a bit of satire. More like a mind twister bender.
@@yevgeniyzharinov7473 I see it more like an christian nutter fails all the tests that would have save him by being such an arrogant pr*ck.
Best horror film ever. Best soundtrack too.
Just MAY BE my favorite flick
Edward Woodward, one of my favorite actors playing the police man. I never heard of this movie until today, I’d like to find a copy of it
He was the Equalizer, my childhood
Hardly ALL the iconic scenes - Willow's Song is missing which is surely one of the most beautifully haunting sections of this terrific film.
I had a weird ass dream about this movie last night. I’ve seen this movie a few times and it’s a classic, but in my dream there was a scene where Sgt. Howie was investigating in an apartment in Summerisle where a version of the music from the cave chase played in the background and when the music stopped, Howie arrived at a bedroom where a kid was drawing a picture on his desk and Howie asked what he was drawing and the kid told him he was drawing his own OCs “Mr. Incredible and Incredible Jr.”, when I saw this in my dream, I was like “Pixar should’ve been sued a long time ago”. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
BRO I AM NOT WATCHING THAT EVER AGAIN IN MY LIFE
Those that butchered this film ought to hang their heads in shame. Excellent film - there'll never be another like it imo.
go watch wake in fright (1972) - similar vibe
In the days when you went to the cinema and got two films for the price of one, it was shown along with 'Don't Look Now'. and was deemed to be too long; some scenes had to go....
Midsommar is similar, also good.
"Do sit down Sergeant. Shocks are far better absorbed with the knees bent."
Fucking lol.
I trust the sight of the Young people refreshes you 🤣🤣🤣🤣
One of the greatest back and forth film dialogues ever.
@@Teborasaur Yes they were both brilliant
When the pub breaks out into song like a Disney movie...but irl...wtf
Only one complaint about the movie: That 70's "boogie" music they play when he frees Rowan. It's so incongruous. It had been so good up to that point with its folk music and then they went all "Shaft". 😆😆
I like it, ironically
I feel like it gives a more effective sense of false hope- as the music undergoes a genre shift we hope in spite of ourselves that the film will too and produce for us a happy ending. But no, regardless of any temporary change in score, we have an appointment with the wicker man.
Women jumping naked over bonfires? Perhaps a little dangerous but I applaud the actors and actresses who played in this film, and in particular the late Sir Christopher Lee.
They basically took part in the ritual.
I liked this movie because it was the first film I'd seen when a devout Presbyterian like me was portrayed in a sympathetic light.
Your religion is as much guilty of the ritualism seen in this movie as any other
@@theomellors688 lol you've clearly never been to a Presbyterian church. Uf I was Catholic, you might have a point. But 'ritualism' is something that is heavily denounced by low church Protestants. And who says that's what's wrong with paganism anyway? It's not the rituals, it's the fact that they involve human sacrifice.
@@theomellors688 I'm not (practicing) Christian anymore btw
For what is worth, the plot highlights the irrationality of both Pagans and Christians.
I had nightmares for weeks after seeing this movie. I didn't even sleep after seeing the ending. This is the most the horrifying movie I ever saw in my life. I still have nightmares at times on burning of the Wicker Man
One of my favorite British horror films!!❤❤❤❤❤ Christopher Lee
A great movie that we'll sadly never see a kill count for since it doesn't make the bare minimum amount of people required to die
I trust the sight of the young people refreshes you?....No Sir, it does NOT refresh me!
Shocks are so much better absorbed with the knees bent...
So many wonderful lines in this extraordinary film. Both Lee and Woodward were magnificent. Great filming. And the music is just beyond superb.
My favorite all time movie. Its so good
I saw this on late night local tv station when I was about 11 years old. They didn't edit it and I was totally wood-struck by Britt Eckland. I remember being confused why the policeman would get it on with the blonde. Actually being 11 I was confused about the whole move. I just like the name scenes, the cool plane, the bagpipes, the cool house, and the parade. Then again it probably 1 in the morning before the ending.
@Lord Rupert I beg your pardon?
The wicker man , truly British classic .
christopher lee said it his favourite film
Yeah it was his favorite role to play! He is so good in this film
The movie could definitely make a great musical
Yes... It would make one of the best musicals of all time...
The Maypole song is fucking excellent...
In this movie Christopher Lee is truly ominous, scary and is in total control. I think he could play Dracula.
There are so many great scenes in this film. I LOVE the arm scene. You forgot the beetle scene (that one's quite profound) and the seduction Britt Ecklund scene (I can't believe you left that one out). Are you sure you want to give away the ending? The ending is what makes it one of the best horror films I've ever seen.
The chilling conclusion of this film made me scream.
I love this movie.
Christopher is a throughtful hard working actor and a awesome singer.
True❤❤❤❤❤
I wish he'd done more work that was worthy of his talent - but the dross takes nothing away from the best things he did.
The film's soundtrack was awesome.
Love ths film 🍿 🥤🍩
This movie has the best soundtrack
I actually wish I hadn't seen this film it's terrifying.
What a legendary movie.. I find it calm and beautiful, not a regular horror movie. I liked the end.. great symbolism. Pagans never disappeared.
Do u believe the pagans are still around?
@@Spocklee yes.. in fact I know a few myself and although I do not live in a pagan community (sadly) I do consider myself a neopagan in some ways. Here in Europe, especially in the northern regions isn't hard to find people who follow the old ways, but of course these beliefs are practiced privately and are unknown by most. Obviously this movie isn't an accurate representation of what heathens do nowadays, but I still found it fascinating.
@@astyrvela how might one become pagan? i don't think theirs any here.
@@Spocklee there are multiple ways: if you are born into a family or commune that already follow pagan traditions than it's pretty easy to continue that patch. Although, that doesn't happen to most of us...
There are also families like mine, where traditions are pretty subtle and/or mixed with christian traditions so it's hard to tell them apart but usually in the rural area it's pretty common for the older people to subconsciously follow some pagan traditions. For example, where I lived (in a slavic country) we always held celebrations on solstices and equinoxes - at summer solstice we jumped through bonfires to be healthy, at the end of winter burned a doll to ritually kill the spirit of winter to welcome spring.. older people were often very superstitious, sometimes belived in trickster spirits and all kinds of stuff.. I could tell other things too but it would be too long.
So I took part in some traditions but didn't realise at first their pagan origin. But it gave a good basis about what it is about. And here we come to the way most people become pagans- finding about paganism somehow, and after learning about it realising how fitting it is for ourselves. That's what happened to me too- I liked history and quickly became fascinated with ancient nomadic cultures and vikings and here am I now, practicing neopaganism/neoshamanism. There are many branches of paganism and I mostly know about the practices in Europe but basically I consider most naturalistic religion or spiritual belief system that aren't monotheistic a form of paganism. Anxiety nordic, hellenic, celtic etc... You don't even have to necessarily worship any old gods to be a pagan- for some, the only "god" is Nature and Life itself.. and there are also ecletic pagans who mix traditions from different patches to create their own interpretation.. So if you are interested you could look into types of paganism to understand what they are about, or if it possible, try to find out what your ancestors or people in your area belived in, and how they lived. Even if you don't become a pagan yourself, it's very interesting to look into it. And if you are really into it, you can join a pagan community online, or look for others in your area to meet and do your rituals together.
If you are further interested I can give you some links and more info on what to look into :) Btw where are you from? If it's not private of course
@@astyrvela I am from New Mexico the southwest part of USA. Many native American influence here.
Midsommar owes a lot to this movie I imagine
Ari aster used this movie as major inspiration
@@hanaphelps9971 I am sure... it's basically like a contemporary Wicker Man. Jordan Peele said the same thing basically, calling it the best pagan horror film since The Wicker Man.
tis is a local shop for local people.
Brilliant.
da
This was filmed in Scotland.
Gave me nightmares for months afterwards. 😲😲🔥🔥
Ah May Day. For the chop scene there is another version that has someone (probably Lord Summerisle) say: "Here comes the Sun who shall chop off your head."
It'd all be worth it to have these 2 blondes "preparing" you lol 😍
Ingrid Pitt in many a Hammer Horror and Sean Connery,James Bonds first wife.Incredible the cast of this film.Its like they all knew this would become a cult classic,one of the best films ever made.
I do love this flick.😜👍🥁🎥🎞🎬
I Love the generative force of nature!!
The source of the Burning Man Festival
Robert Bates actually it is not. Two construction guys were frustrated with work. One of them stated”lots burn it man (stress). The built a 10 foot man to burn and began the festivities to relieve stress. It grew with each year. They did it with no funding , no grants, just donations. It was officially called Black Rock City. It kicked off in 1986. Participants would donate what they could, and bring what they could. It started off on Sunday’s only one founder Larry Harvey then developed the ten principles. Art grants then began to come in and were accepted. The burning man is now 100 feet tall. It began with 20 people and now has in 2017 there were 70,000 people. Larry Harvey died at the age of 70 from a stroke in 2018. There is so much more . Too much to type. Cool huh
Mary Krabach very cool
@@marykrabach8692 - Sounds more like reliving Woodstock on an annual basis.
@@marykrabach8692 that’s how it’s marketed, but it is pagan ritual repackaged as some new wave esoteric festival and is able to attract thousands. Part of the great deception. That’s why it’s good to be awake.
Not really a horror film but a dark thriller film
It's psychological horror. I'm sorry for the lovers of gory slashers who miss it.
@@ernestogasulla7763 folk horror actually.
6:51 So THAT’S where J.K. Rowling got the idea for the Chocolate Frog