The Wicker Man

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The Wicker Man

1974

1h 42m

Mystery & Thriller

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

72 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) arrives on the small Scottish island of Summerisle to investigate the report of a missing child. A conservative Christian, the policeman observes the residents' frivolous sexual displays and strange pagan rituals, particularly the temptations of Willow (Britt Ekland), daughter of the island magistrate, Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee). The more Sergeant Howie learns about the islanders' strange practices, the closer he gets to tracking down the missing child.

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Critics Consensus

This intelligent horror film is subtle in its thrills and chills, with an ending that is both shocking and truly memorable.

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David McGillivray

Sight & Sound

May 13

An unfortunate miscalculation here, one suspects, but one that does no real harm to an immensely enjoyable piece of hokum, thoroughly well researched, performed and directed.

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Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

10/29/2008

B-

The gothic ambiance and mood synonymous with the era's familiar tales of unholy menace is wholly absent. If there is evil here, it doesn't know it's evil.

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Variety Staff

Variety

10/07/2008

Anthony Shaffer penned the screenplay which, for sheer imagination and near-terror, has seldom been equalled.

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Trace Thurman

Horror Queers Podcast

Mar 30

4/5

A masterclass in mounting dread. By the time you realize you're watching a horror movie, it's too late.

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Joe Lipsett

Horror Queers Podcast

Mar 25

4/5

There's a reason this folk horror film has achieved (cult) classic status. It's not just the all-time performance by Christopher Lee, but also the fact that the film deliberately pits the audience against its hero

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Bryce Hanson

Horror Movie Talk

Sep 18

10/10

This movie is a classic for a reason, it is very discombobulating, and you experience the confusion that Sergeant Howie does. Anyone with a conservative Christian upbringing might not have as extreme reaction to the Paganism as Howie...

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B P

@Bradster69 1d

Definitely Recommend It

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Steve D

@Danerdo Aug 7

Whoever made this movie was doing some serious narcotics and you have to take some to get through the movie.

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John F

@RT84127024 Aug 5

May take a bit to get going after the musical of the first act, but it picks up nicely and ends with a bang.

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Romas M

@Romas Jun 30

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.

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Derek C

@aquickone May 14

The Wicker Man is a rare breed: a cult film that actually deserves the status. It explores the dangerous intersection of faith, isolation, and tradition without ever feeling like a lecture. It’s unsettling, intellectual, and deeply human.

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Mike P

@RT09890132 May 6

(Spoilers) Masterpiece of Modern British Folk Horror. The dark underside of local paganism rears it's ugly head as Sergeant Howie is called to investigate the death and disappearance of a little girl; on a remote, traditional Scottish Isle, where cults thrive and human sacrifice still exists...Never dreaming, ofcourse, that HE is infact the virgin they intend to sacrifice!... It's all about our ugly past coming back to haunt us; and the old world colliding with the new... The ending is one of the most haunting in cinema history... Amazing performances, mood, setting and suspense...Originally rated X, believe it or not; although it's pretty tame by modern standards. Beware! Because there's many different cuts of this movie...And they're all very different!!

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Robin Hardy

Director

Edward Woodward

Sergeant Neil Howie

Christopher Lee

Lord Summerisle

Britt Ekland

Willow

Diane Cilento

Miss Rose

Lindsay Kemp

Alder MacGreagor

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Synopsis

Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) arrives on the small Scottish island of Summerisle to investigate the report of a missing child. A conservative Christian, the policeman observes the residents' frivolous sexual displays and strange pagan rituals, particularly the temptations of Willow (Britt Ekland), daughter of the island magistrate, Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee). The more Sergeant Howie learns about the islanders' strange practices, the closer he gets to tracking down the missing child.

Director: Robin Hardy
Producer: Peter Snell
Screenwriter: Anthony Shaffer
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: British Lion Film Corporation
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 7, 1974, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jul 7, 2023
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 6, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $61.8K
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Flat (1.85:1)

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