“May Day” is a follow-up (not sequel) to his cult classic “The Wicker Man.” Lee says, “There are elements that you find in The Wicker Man: certain beliefs, the fact that we all sing, that it`s funny, quite erotic and very alarming. And that it`s a strange story set in Scotland.”
“May Day” is a follow-up (not sequel) to his cult classic “The Wicker Man.” Lee says, “There are elements that you find in The Wicker Man: certain beliefs, the fact that we all sing, that it`s funny, quite erotic and very alarming. And that it`s a strange story set in Scotland.”
Director Robin Hardy has endorsed a worldwide appeal launched by StudioCanal to locate original film materials relating to the 1973 cult horror classic The Wicker Man.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the film about a policeman (Edward Woodward) sent to a remote island village in search of a missing girl, whom the townsfolk claim never existed. It also stars Christopher Lee.
StudioCanal intends to mark the occasion by releasing the “most complete version of the film possible”.
The Wicker Man was originally released with minimal promotion as the second feature in a double bill with Don’t Look Now.
The version exhibited to audiences was significantly shorter (88mins) than Hardy’s original vision (102mins)!
The negatives disappeared from storage at Shepperton Studios and were allegedly used as landfill in the construction of the nearby M4 motorway. READ MORE
Whether you consider it ‘The Citizen Kane of Horror Films’ or something that is a genre unto itself, The Wicker Man is an undeniably unique folk tale with dark humor, songs, sex, and an ending that completely bypassed being just “great” and dives headfirst into legendary status. Kickstarting a renewed fascination with pagan festivals – Burning Man and Beltane, among others – and old world charms, Robin Hardy and Anthony Shaffer’s occult mystery is more about the power of religion as a means for brainwashing and manipulation rather than its cinematic portrayal of beliefs, rituals and sacrifices. Plagued with distribution, editing, and production problems, the film persevered and gathered acclaim thanks to career-defining performances by Christopher Lee and Edward Woodward, and an incredible amount of support from the Hammer actor.
In 2006, an unintentionally hilarious American remake came and went, along with a companion novel to the original film written by Hardy, entitled Cowboys for Christ. The book’s name is more suited for the adaptation, now named The Wicker Tree, because it hints at the playful and often ridiculous nature of the cult classic’s spiritual successor. READ MORE
In 1973, Anthony Shaffer and Robin Hardy unleashed The Wicker Man on an unsuspecting world and in mixing folklore, paganism, and some strange music numbers, created what is now referred to as ‘The Wicker Man genre.’ When I discovered the film around a decade ago, it was one of most distinct films I had seen and there’s still nothing really like it. Well, unless you count its spiritual successor, The Wicker Tree. It’s not quite a sequel or a remake, but rather a reinterpretation of the original as a comedy. If The Wicker Man was quirky, then The Wicker Tree is pure exaggeration. I recently got to chat with writer/director Robin Hardy about the legacy of one of my favorite films of all time and his satirical approach to reframing it. READ MORE
Young Christians Beth and Steve, a gospel singer and her cowboy boyfriend, leave Texas to preach door-to-door in Scotland . When, after initial abuse, they are welcomed with joy and elation to Tressock, the border fiefdom of Sir Lachlan Morrison, they assume their hosts simply want to hear more about Jesus. How innocent and wrong they are.
“HE” is returning later this month in The Wicker Tree, a companion piece to The Wicker Man. Anchor Bay will be releasing Robin Hardy’s flick in limited theaters in January 27 and we’ve landed yet another batch of i-res imagery.
“When two young missionaries (Brittania Nicol, Henry Garrett) head to Scotland, they are initially charmed by the locals in the town of Tressock, and agree to become the local Queen of the May and Laddie for the annual town festival. But the couple is not prepared for the frightening consequences of their decision, and the very disturbing secrets they are about to discover about Tressock’s seemingly friendly townspeople.”
Written and Directed by Robin Hardy, The Wicker Tree also features Graham McTavish, Jacqueline Leonard, Honeysuckle Weeks, Clive Russell with Christopher Lee, star of the original The Wicker Man. READ MORE
One of the most anticipated films of the year is The Wicker Tree, a companion piece to The Wicker Man that promises that “HE” will return this January. That’s right, we received word that Anchor Bay will be releasing Robin Hardy’s flick in theaters in January 27. In addition, Bloody got the exclusive first look at the symbolic official teaser one sheet that infuses some incredibly satanic imagery such as the hidden face of Baphomet.
“When two young missionaries (Brittania Nicol, Henry Garrett) head to Scotland, they are initially charmed by the locals in the town of Tressock, and agree to become the local Queen of the May and Laddie for the annual town festival. But the couple is not prepared for the frightening consequences of their decision, and the very disturbing secrets they are about to discover about Tressock’s seemingly friendly townspeople.”
Written and Directed by Robin Hardy, The Wicker Tree also features Graham McTavish, Jacqueline Leonard, Honeysuckle Weeks, Clive Russell with Christopher Lee, star of the original The Wicker Man.
READ MORE
When a young girl mysteriously disappears Police Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward of THE EQUALIZER) travels to a remote Scottish island to investigate. But this pastoral community led by the strange Lord Summerisle (a brilliant performance by the legendary Christopher Lee) is not what it seems as the devout Christian detective soon uncovers a secret society of wanton lust and pagan blasphemy. Can Howie now stop the cult s ultimate sacrifice before he himself comes face-to-face with the horror of THE WICKER MAN?
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