The original "Wicker Man" was written and produced in England and is considered "The most original and haunting British horror movie EVER. Fascinating, chilling, and utterly unique." (17 August 2003 Author: Infofreak from Perth, Australia)
First released in the US in 1975, it starred Edward Woodward, best known as the voice of the Sultan in the Disney Movie "Aladdin" and (for us older folks) for his role in "The Equalizer" .
"While recovering from a tragic accident on the road, the patrolman Edward Malus receives a letter from his former fiancée Willow, who left him years ago without any explanation, telling that her daughter Rowan is missing. Edward travels to the private island of Summerisle, where Willow lives in an odd community that plant fruits, and she reveals that Rowan is actually their daughter. Along his investigation with the hostile and unhelpful dwellers, Edward discloses that the locals are pagans, practicing old rituals to improve their harvest, and Rowan is probably alive and being prepared to be sacrificed. When he locates the girl, he finds also the dark truth about the wicker man. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil " (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0450345/plotsummary)
I hesitated watching this PG-13 horror film for several reasons. 1) I am not really into horror films, suspense is more my genre. 2) Most horror films bring a Spirit of unrest into homes. 3) Most horror films are filmed with the intent of scaring vice entertaining.
This film "The Wicker Man" with Nicholas Cage released in 2006, I felt would be safer than most. I like Nicholas Cage and felt his work in this film would make it less susceptible to the list of reasons previously mentioned. Originally bought for our video store in North Dakota, for those who wanted horror films, this movie has sat dormant on the shelf long enough.
As hoped the movie wasn't that scary, it did not bring on nightmares and it was actually a great psychological puzzle.
Kate Beahan, who portrays Willow, is superb. Her psychological dysfunction over her daughter missing, is believable. It makes the watcher wonder if she was a basket case prior to her daughter's disappearance.
Ellen Burstyn plays an excellent Sister Summerisle. Her performance alone is worth watching the movie. One wonders, while absorbing the info presented on the screen, who she really is and what is she really about. There is no doubt that her character is the center of all that is evil on the island, but she covers it well with a dangerous smile.
Some interesting trivia about this movie follows:
Edward Woodward, star of the original Wicker Man, has said that while he was offered a part in the remake and declined, he nevertheless was "surprisingly impressed by the quality of the script".
There is a "Missing" sign in the police station with a photo of Edward Woodward's character from the 1973 original.
Nicolas Cage's character is named "Edward"; Kate Beahan's character is surnamed "Woodward". Edward Woodward portrayed the police officer in the original movie.
Many characters' names are plant related, or have a nature connection, such as Willow, Beech, Honey, Rose and Thorn. Malus is the genus name for the apple and crabapple, while Rowan is the name of a shrub found in Asia and Europe.
The language in this film is very offensive and should be taken into consideration when allowing children (teens) to view it.
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