evoutly Christian police sergeant Neil Howie (Woodward) of the Scottish West Highlands Constabulary receives an anonymous letter concerning the disappearance of a girl on Summerisle, a remote island off the coast that lies within his jurisdiction. Howie travels to Summerisle by seaplane. Summerisle seems an idyllic place, full of apple blossoms and spotted with palm trees carried there by the Gulf Stream. However, when Howie begins his inquiries concerning Rowan Morrison, the missing girl, he finds that no one on Summerisle, even the girl's supposed mother (Sunters), claims ever to have seen her.
Unable to fly back to the mainland after nightfall, and more than a little suspicious, Howie spends the night on Summerisle. His sensibilities are shocked at the behavior of the islanders, which includes public love-making, brawling, drinking and the singing of very bawdy songs in honor of Willow (Ekland), the lovely daughter of the local publican (Kemp).
Howie continues his inquiries at the local school. The teacher, Miss Rose (Cilento), informs him "If Rowan Morrison existed, we would know of it!" A quick check of the class register (labeled "Belthane Term") reveals that a Rowan Morrison does (or did once) exist on the island. Miss Rose explains that according to the religious beliefs of those on the island, Rowan is not "dead" as he understands the word.
Howie's investigation leads to the home of Lord Summerisle himself (Lee). There, he learns that Lord Summerisle's grandfather had brought to the island the strains of apples for which the island has become famous ... and also a certain religious paradigm shift. The more Howie learns of this religion, the more dire things seem for Rowan. As the final days of April play out, Howie enters a frantic race against time to save the girl.
Wicker Man is wickedly brilliant
The Wicker Man is truly one of the great cult films of all time. Christopher Lee considers it the best film he ever made. Due to factors too complex to detail here (which are partly covered in the "Wicker Man Enigma" DVD featurette), myriad versions exist, each with different running times. There are four current releases: a limited-edition DVD boxed set containing both the extended and theatrical versions; a DVD release of the theatrical version; a VHS release of the extended version; and a VHS release of the theatrical version. (The DVDs contain trailers, radio spots and "The Wicker Man Enigma.") The Anchor Bay extended version is the most complete version now readily available.
The brilliance of the screenplay by Anthony Shaffer (writer of Sleuth and Frenzy), aside from its stunning originality and intricate plot, lies in its synthesis of disparate genres that director Robin Hardy executes seamlessly. The Wicker Man can be seen as a horror film, a fantasy film, a mystery, a thriller, a science-fiction film, a cop movie and ... a musical! Hardy evokes the emotions unique to each genre in ways most directors who specialize in those genres can't match. As soon as the viewer feels settled each time The Wicker Man shifts genres, Hardy subverts the conventions of those genres, effectively pulling the rug from under the viewer.
Shaffer and Hardy's juggling of cinematic elements is breathtaking. Yet the genre-hopping is not merely for pyrotechnic show. Each shift in genre is tied to a specific plot point and moves the narrative forward to the almost apocalyptic climax. The performances are all outstanding. Woodward brings an affectionate likeableness to the somewhat stodgy and stiff Howie, while Lee infuses the insufferably charming Lord Summerisle with the faintest sinister air.
A note about the extended version. Eleven minutes were restored from a 1" telecine master. The shifts in quality from analog tape to film transfer are a minor distraction, and worth dealing with in order to view a more complete version of the film.
