The Wicker Man 1973
In a review on Empire.com, Adam Smith said "In one eloquent sequence Howie watches naked girls conduct a fertility ritual. Disgusted, he asks if they have never heard of Jesus Christ. "The son of a virgin, impregnated, I believe, by a ghost," replies a quizzical Lord Summerisle." (Smith 2000). Christianity, being the most widely practiced religion in the UK during the time this film was made, is contrasted with the faith of the Old Gods, a pre-Christianity faith practiced across Europe. The practices of the Old Gods include fertility spells, curses, blessings, ect, however the Bible says that these do not actually work, some christian texts say that this is in fact worship of the Devil.
In the climax of the film, the police officer is sacrificed in a wicker man in order to bring a bountiful harvest to the island. The Roman Leader Julius Caesar wrote about druidic sacrifice and especially the use of the wicker man. "Caesar provides one example of the way the druids carried out this task, which involved “figures of vast size, the limbs of which formed of osiers they fill with living men,” These figures are the so-called ‘wicker men’, which would then be set on fire, and the men in them would be destined to perish in the flames." [Mingren 2016]. Unfortunately, there are not many sources that talk about how druids sacrificed lives, so establishing how truthful he was is difficult.
In a Guardian review, Anne Billson says "Ailing production company British Lion was bought by EMI midway through shooting, and Hardy was obliged to make cuts (but resisted demands by studio executives that he change the ending); a further 13 minutes were cut for the American release. It wasn't until nearly 30 years later that a restored version became available on DVD." [Billson, 2010] The original release of the movie was not successful, it was only when a restored version was created, using lost footage that had been found and restored.
Smith A, (2000) , 'Empre Essay:The Wicker Man Review" In: Empire.com, 01.01.2000 At: https://www.empireonline.com/movies/empire-essay-wicker-man/review/ (Accessed 25/04/18)
Mingren W, (2016) 'The Fearsome Wicker Man: An Eerie Way Druids Committed Human Sacrifice' in: ancient-origins.net, 02.02.2016, at: http://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/fearsome-wicker-man-eerie-way-druids-committed-human-sacrifice-005285 (Accessed 25/04/18)
Billson A, (2010), "The Wicker Man: No 4 best horror film of all time" in: theguradian.com, 22.10.2010 At: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/oct/22/wicker-man-hardy-horror (Accessed 25/04/18)
In the climax of the film, the police officer is sacrificed in a wicker man in order to bring a bountiful harvest to the island. The Roman Leader Julius Caesar wrote about druidic sacrifice and especially the use of the wicker man. "Caesar provides one example of the way the druids carried out this task, which involved “figures of vast size, the limbs of which formed of osiers they fill with living men,” These figures are the so-called ‘wicker men’, which would then be set on fire, and the men in them would be destined to perish in the flames." [Mingren 2016]. Unfortunately, there are not many sources that talk about how druids sacrificed lives, so establishing how truthful he was is difficult.
In a Guardian review, Anne Billson says "Ailing production company British Lion was bought by EMI midway through shooting, and Hardy was obliged to make cuts (but resisted demands by studio executives that he change the ending); a further 13 minutes were cut for the American release. It wasn't until nearly 30 years later that a restored version became available on DVD." [Billson, 2010] The original release of the movie was not successful, it was only when a restored version was created, using lost footage that had been found and restored.
Smith A, (2000) , 'Empre Essay:The Wicker Man Review" In: Empire.com, 01.01.2000 At: https://www.empireonline.com/movies/empire-essay-wicker-man/review/ (Accessed 25/04/18)
Mingren W, (2016) 'The Fearsome Wicker Man: An Eerie Way Druids Committed Human Sacrifice' in: ancient-origins.net, 02.02.2016, at: http://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/fearsome-wicker-man-eerie-way-druids-committed-human-sacrifice-005285 (Accessed 25/04/18)
Billson A, (2010), "The Wicker Man: No 4 best horror film of all time" in: theguradian.com, 22.10.2010 At: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/oct/22/wicker-man-hardy-horror (Accessed 25/04/18)
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