The Wicker Man (1973)
Police sergeant Neil Howie is called to an island village in search of a missing girl whom the locals claim never existed. Stranger still, however, are the rituals that take place there.
Details
Budget
$810,000
Rating
7/10 (1449 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
British Lion Films
About The Wicker Man
Set on a remote Scottish island, "The Wicker Man" follows Sergeant Neil Howie as he investigates the disappearance of a young girl. He finds the locals practice an unsettling form of paganism. The film steadily builds a sense of dread as Howie's Christian beliefs clash with the island's traditions.
This 1973 horror film is known for its exploration of cults, ritual, and human sacrifice, all presented within an isolated rural setting. It blends elements of mystery with a folk horror aesthetic, culminating in a memorable finale involving a large bonfire and a policeman.
"The Wicker Man" has garnered strong critical reception, with a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 87/100 score on Metacritic. It has an IMDb rating of 7.5 based on over 100,000 votes, and a 7 out of 10 average vote from TMDb users.
Why you might be searching for The Wicker Man
People search for "The Wicker Man" to find details about its iconic, unsettling ending, the pagan cult setting, and the performance of Christopher Lee as Lord Summerisle. Its reputation as a classic folk horror film and the themes of sacrifice and island isolation are also common points of interest.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer describes Edward Woodward's performance as Sergeant Howie as brilliant, noting how a sinister atmosphere pervades the story from his arrival on Summerisle, with unnerving imagery and rituals assaulting his senses.
Read the full reviewA critic points out that the horror in "The Wicker Man" is not immediately apparent but instead subtly creeps up on the viewer, made disturbing by the villagers' indifferent or defensive reactions to the missing child.
Read the full reviewAccording to one review, the film's perverse charm comes from its refusal to be overtly frightening for much of its runtime, instead presenting Summerisle as a bright, musical, and fertile place where people seem to be enjoying themselves.
Read the full reviewA reviewer suggests that Howie's Christianity, virginity, sense of duty, and capacity for outrage are not accidental character traits, but rather precisely what make him essential to the carefully constructed ritual he unknowingly enters.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream "The Wicker Man" (1973) on services like Amazon Prime Video, Tubi TV, and Kanopy. It's also available to rent or purchase on platforms such as Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home, or you can buy the DVD/Blu-ray.
No, "The Wicker Man" (1973) is not based on a true story. The screenplay by Anthony Shaffer was inspired by David Pinner's 1967 novel *Ritual*, though Shaffer developed a new story that only loosely adapted the novel.
The film ends with Sergeant Neil Howie, who came to Summerisle investigating a missing girl, being sacrificed by the island's pagan inhabitants. He is placed inside a giant wicker man effigy and burned alive as the villagers sing, fulfilling their need for a human sacrifice to ensure a successful harvest after the previous year's crop failure.
Yes, "The Wicker Man" is often considered a worthwhile watch, praised for its intelligent horror, unique approach, and memorable ending. Critics have given it high ratings, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting 92% positive reviews and Metacritic assigning a score of 87 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim."