Sunday 13 August 2006

Another appointment with the Wicker Man

"You'll simply never understand the true nature of sacrifice..."

Here's some good news about one of my favourite films (I reviewed it here a few years ago), a marvellously macabre examination of religion and sacrifice -- and just the right amount of gratuitous nudity:
IT was one of the most controversial films of its time, filled with horror, paganism and Britt Ekland dancing naked. Now, more than 20 years after it first thrilled cinema audiences, cult movie 'The Wicker Man' is being re-released on DVD. A disc featuring the uncut original film is due to come out next month ...
Wow! Great news. I think. I thought I had as complete a copy as currently existed. Anyway, the report continues with bad news for fans of the film:
... only days after a remake starring American actor Nicholas Cage is premiered in the US and Britain on September 1.
Oh gawd. I guess it had to happen. Alas poor Howie, they know not what they do.



UPDATE:
"The music to The Wicker Man is quite extraordinary. I think it is probably the best music I've ever heard in a film. All the songs are so totally different from each other and yet they sum up the atmosphere of the scenes perfectly. What Paul Giovanni achieved is quite amazing and absolutely beautiful." -- Christopher Lee, July 2002
LINKS:Review: 'The Wicker Man' - SoloHQ
Wicker Man cult burning brightly with new DVD - Scotland's Sunday Herald

RELATED:Films

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I too own a copy of the Wickerman.
In my version, the movie's editing was soooo bad that they destroyed the context.

And I was only able to understand the significance of what was going on after reading reviews on the web.

Pity Edward "Callan" Woodward didn't drop a toaster into the editors bath after he saw the final version!

So it is good news that they are finally going to release the director's cut.

As for the Nic Cage version. I guess that will depend on who he plays. He's just nutz enough to imitate Christopher Lee - though he hasn't got the talent to surpass Lee. If Cage is playing Woodward's role then the movie will suck big time.

IMHO Woodward is one of the giants among contemporary dramatic actors. Cage hasn't the talent to polish Woodward's shoes.

Jude the Obscure said...

Yes, I have a copy of The Wickerman and yes also, the music is wonderful - from the beginning when Edward Woodward is flying in the plane to the island right throughout the movie. Other movies I have kept are Brazil (not about the country) Some Like it Hot, and The Tin Drum.

Peter Cresswell said...

"As for the Nic Cage version. I guess that will depend on who he plays."

Sadly, he's playing the policeman. :-/

"IMHO Woodward is one of the giants among contemporary dramatic actors. Cage hasn't the talent to polish Woodward's shoes."

Couldn't agree more - although Cage wsa pretty good in 'Leaving Las Vegas.'