The Wicker Man

Robin Hardy's bizarre and controversial 1973 cult favorite follows proper British inspector Sgt. Neil Howie's (Edward Woodward) investigation of a missing girl, which takes him to a secluded island where he encounters a pagan cult deeply grounded in agricultural myth and ritual (primarily expressed in unabashed open sexuality and the occasional blood sacrifice). The story moves inexorably toward its horrific conclusion, in which the deeply religious Howie meets the pagan Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee) on a final, shocking battlefield. Anchor Bay has chosen--unwisely and unfairly in my opinion--to release on DVD the cut-up 88 minute version for $19.98 and ding the customer $39.98 for the 2-disc "limited edition" (unseen) with the restored 99 minute version. The accompanying 35-minute documentary (on both versions), The Wicker Man Enigma, with director Hardy, screenwriter Anthony Shaffer, and stars Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, and Ingrid Pitt (of her "small part" Pitt remarks, "what can a nymphomaniac librarian do?") is excellent. Given the cult status, decent transfer, and nice Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, we would recommend the "limited edition" now, or even recommend waiting for possible repricing of that version rather than buying the one reviewed here. (R. Pitman)