User Reviews

Greetings from Lithuania. "The Wicker Man" (1973) is a movie that I did admire while watching it due to its creativity, ideas and unique look. But it just wasn't a movie for me - at its running time 1 h 34 min I was bored out of my mind. This film features so many weird moments that it is impossible to call it a horror movie. It is in a sense if you know the outcome, but there is zero scares, zero dread. Performances were good and I liked them from both leads but that is it - aside for good looking costumes, some interesting musical choices this film is just wasn't my cup of tea. Overall, watching it for the first time in 2026 on newly remastered 4K was a drag. It is not a film that I would recommend for casual horror movie fan - it is an "artsy" film for better and worse.

"Take. Eat. This is my body, which is broken for you, this do in remembrance of me… till he comes again."

The irony of being moral. From the very first frame, ‘The Wicker Man’ captivates with cinematography that seems to whisper more than it shows: a delicate balance of composition, lighting, and, above all, color, turning every shot into a small visual enigma. It’s one of those films where every element works in harmony, without missteps, and that aesthetic unity becomes an essential part of the tension and unease that permeate the story. The plot, seemingly simple, slowly tangles itself into interconnected layers without ever losing clarity. As its synopsis suggests, the narrative guides the viewer toward a disturbing truth—achieved through a precise script and impeccable direction that sustain the unsettling tone from start to finish. Edward Woodward embodies the protagonist with firm character, presence, and charisma—exactly what a role of this magnitude demands. Christopher Lee, meanwhile, builds a character as psychologically disturbing as he is memorable: every gesture and line carries a restrained tension that never needs exaggeration to leave an impact. The community portrayed in the film is, in itself, a remarkable achievement: written and presented with meticulous care, its rituals and customs emerge naturally through different points in the narrative, reinforcing the psychological weight of the story. The film leaves a lasting impression—an ironic reflection on blind devotion and the need to believe in something greater than oneself, suggested with precision and without the need for explicit statements. Subtly, the film also raises the question of what it means to uphold a moral and ethical code in an environment that doesn’t share it. The protagonist acts with integrity and conviction, yet the story, in its characteristic irony, shows that even the firmest righteousness comes at a price—one that impacts the narrative without ever being overtly pointed out. The soundtrack accompanies and reinforces the atmosphere, unsettling as much as any plot twist. It’s no coincidence that contemporary filmmakers like Ari Aster have drawn inspiration from this work for their own explorations of folklore and horror, maintaining a remarkable parallel that speaks to its lasting influence. Ultimately, ‘The Wicker Man’ masterfully combines aesthetics, narrative, and psychological tension, becoming a classic that continues to surprise, disturb, and leave its mark long after the viewing experience. Spanish: La ironía de ser moral. Desde el primer encuadre, 'The Wicker Man' atrapa con una fotografía que parece susurrar más de lo que muestra: un delicado equilibrio entre composición, luces y, sobre todo, color, que convierte cada plano en un pequeño enigma visual. Es uno de esos filmes donde cada elemento trabaja en conjunto, sin altibajos, y esa armonía estética se convierte en parte esencial de la tensión y la inquietud que se respira. La historia, en apariencia simple, se enreda lentamente en capas de tramas conectadas, pero nunca pierde claridad. Como su sinopsis anticipa, el relato conduce al espectador hacia una verdad perturbadora, lograda gracias a un guion preciso y a la dirección impecable que sostiene el tono inquietante de principio a fin. Edward Woodward encarna al protagonista con un carácter firme, lleno de presencia y carisma, justo lo que exige un papel de su calibre. Christopher Lee, por su parte, construye un personaje tan psicológicamente inquietante como memorable: cada gesto y cada línea transmiten una tensión contenida que no necesita exageraciones para impactar. La comunidad retratada en la película es, en sí misma, un logro: escrita y presentada con meticulosidad, sus rituales y costumbres emergen de manera natural a través de distintos puntos de la trama, reforzando el peso psicológico de la historia. La obra deja una impresión duradera: una reflexión irónica sobre la devoción ciega y la necesidad de creer en algo más grande que uno mismo, sugerida con precisión y sin necesidad de explicitarlo. De manera sutil, la película también plantea la consecuencia de mantener un código moral y ético en un entorno que no lo comparte. El protagonista actúa con integridad y convicción, pero la historia se encarga de mostrar, con su ironía característica, que incluso la rectitud más firme tiene un precio, uno que impacta en la narrativa sin necesidad de señalarlo abiertamente. La banda sonora acompaña y refuerza la atmósfera, inquietando tanto como cualquier giro narrativo. No es casual que cineastas contemporáneos, como Ari Aster, hayan encontrado inspiración en esta obra para sus propias exploraciones del folclore y el terror, manteniendo un paralelismo notable que habla de su influencia perdurable. En definitiva, 'The Wicker Man' combina estética, narrativa y tensión psicológica de manera ejemplar, convirtiéndose en un clásico que sigue sorprendiendo, inquietando y dejando huella mucho tiempo después de su visionado.

I guess just a masterpiece. This is so mesmerizing in its design from start to finish. It's scary and filled with creepy dread without any direct horror scenes or designs.

Dizzyingly good. Picture-perfect vibes. Rides largely on the powerful portrayal of one man's crisis of faith and the culture clash that results from his invasion of a pagan culture. The religious symbolism is potent and well-earned. Christopher Lee is magic. I had to sit and process this one for a while. It's a foundational horror film, and important viewing.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Playing on our fears of "the other", this 1973 film has attained classic status. I don't think it is quite a classic, there are parts that do move slowly and others that feel somewhat stilted. Regardless, it is still extremely good, with a brilliant script and impressive locations and cinematography. The story is also very effective, and the ending is another great strength, being quite shocking. That is the thing about the Wicker Man, it is bizarre and it is disturbing but that works in the film's favour in alternative to against it. The acting is very well done, as is Robin Hardy's direction. Edward Woodward does a good job as the prudish Sergeant Howie and Britt Ekland is beautifully seductive as the pub landlord's free spirited daughter. But in my opinion, it is the magnificent Christopher Lee who walks away with the film as the mysterious Lord Summerisle. Overall, while not quite a classic, it is still a very effective psycho-sexual horror-thriller, that was **** by a completely unnecessary remake with Nicolas Cage. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Es una película muy regular, para nada perturbadora o impresionante como muchos **** suelen decir, la historia es aburrida y simplona, no tiene ningún trasfondo que la haga ser revisionada más de una vez, el policía es odioso hasta el punto de decir que su destino final lo tuvo merecido, es exagerado y poco creíble y los habitantes de ese pueblo parecen más hippies que cualquier otra cosa.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

A classic cult film with a deep, provocative story. Christopher Lee was superb in here.

There was a vendetta against this movie when first released which you can read about online, some people tried to ruin the film by removing key scenes the entirety of it has still not been recovered and Christopher Lee (who considers it his greatest film and I agree) loved the movie so much he did it for free, he says the complete version is 10 times better, which if true would make it the greatest film ever made, there's urban legends about it being under a motorway in London and the backstory is more interesting than a lot of films. The film itself has a Beautiful atmosphere and soundtrack, great performances from all involved and one of the greatest endings in the history of film, a movie that has stayed with me for years.

This 1973 mystery, drama horror film was directed by Robin Hardy and starred Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee and Britt Ekland.... Some girl goes missing and some police sergeant named Howie (Woodward) searches for clues and stuff on an island called Summerisle.. Strange rituals and stuff are going on on the island and Christopher Lee gives an excellent performance and so does Britt Ekland because she's naked and I only regret not being there to sleep with her because she's sexy!!!! Hahaha! THE WICKER MAN is a good film.

I felt that the elongated songs slowed the film down too much, and also undermined the unsettling atmosphere instead of enhancing it. I mean, I think they are pretty unnecessary, since the film already took some time (the thing that I really liked) before the plot kicks in to establish its peerless setting, hence building its dreadful atmosphere. In addition, the exposition at the end (exactly as in Psycho) hampered what could have been a perfect ending. Nevertheless, this suspenseful dread-filled film (which is hardly a horror) is one of the most disturbing, effective, atmospheric, shocking and riveting mystery thrillers I've ever seen! I also think that I'm the luckiest person in the world, for I had no idea about the plot twist before seeing this. Regardless of the concern I have about the ending, this is one of the most shocking endings that will stick in my mind forever! (8/10)

It's such a brilliant movie, It really is. The cast, especially Christopher Lee, does a great job at turning what started off as a basic missing person's case into a suspenseful mystery that keeps you interested until the very end. And my lord, What an ending.

It's a weird and uncanny horror musical. It has some pagan sex appeal and Christopher Lee in a skirt. What's not to love?