The original "Wicker Man"

[yvonnjanae]

Truly one of the most disturbing movies I've ever seen. Can't stop thinking about it.

Throughout the final minutes, I kept thinking, "This is horror."

Anyone here seen it lately?

[sasqits]

I saw it not too long ago.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS of course







The tone and atmosphere throughout the film is truly creepy, even though much of it takes place during the day. Unfortunately, many modern films lose atmosphere and tone with their slick, glossy look, flashy camera movements and angles, and poor editing choices.

The odd characters, sequences, and music, while not immediately threatening or violent, create a real sense of disturbing unease.

The ending, with its simplicity, realism and slow build, is horror at its best.

[ScriptShadow]

This is easily one of my top horror films of all time. So unique, so different, so odd. You have never seen a movie like Wicker Man. Nor will you ever again see a movie like Wicker Man. The crazy chances they take in this film are ridiculous. I don't think I've ever been more unsure of what would happen next while watching a film.

I screened this film for my brothers a few years back and they just stared at me afterwards like "What the f*ck was that??" Some people just aren't into it. What are you gonna do?

[The Road Warrior]

This and THE EXORCIST are great examples of what horror can be - profound, eerie and disturbing. Makes you realise how few films of this calibre have been made in the genre.

[Richmond Weems]

Yeah, The Wicker Man isn't for everyone. The subtext in the flick would be considered silly now (or it'd be made into a comedy--wait! It was!), and it has the nice slow build up to the truly horrifying end. Exorcist, too.

I haven't seen the remake, other than the Youtube compilation of scenes (which is hilarious), but my guess is that today's audiences are more accustomed to blood and guts than the slow build up.

Don't get me wrong. I like my blood and guts, but gradual creepiness has its place, too. It also tends to stay with you longer.

[Grandmaster]

I personally thought that it sucked - too slow, too boring. Yeah, the end is very disturbing, but it took too long getting there with hardly anything happening in between.

[Biohazard]

...today's audiences are more accustomed to blood and guts than the slow build up.

That's because it's the only thing being done.

When was the last Hollywood horror film with a slow build-up?

I truly believe that if H-wood puts out a horror flick with a slow build-up and does it well, people will see it and like it.

But we'll never know because H-wood stupidly believes that all people want to see is blood and guts and explosions coming at a high velocity.

[ScriptShadow]

I personally thought that it sucked - too slow, too boring. Yeah, the end is very disturbing, but it took too long getting there with hardly anything happening in between.

Are you my brother?

[vmf]

Wicker Man and Don't Look Now are two of the freakiest, creepiest horror movies I've seen, and both were released in 1973.

[sherbetbizarre]

...on the same bill too!

[JonnyAtlas]

The original is simply incredible cinema, and a huge argument for theme making a script great. The remake had the same basic premise, but replaced the Christian/Pagan overtones with bees.

Yes, bees.

I remember watching the original with some Christian friends last year. They were both inspired and mortified at the same time. It is rare that a film can invoke the kind of strong emotions The Wicker Man does from its audience.

[Arroway]

the original is a classic in every sense of the word.

i can appreciate someone not personally enjoying it but to say that "it sucks" is just :|

[Kevan]

The original Wicker Man is a real British classic of cinema..

Such a shame they attempted to remake it..

There again, the remake was pants so it didn't affect or ruin how good the original is.. In fact it probably enhanced it's reputation..

I have the special edition of Wicker Man in a 2 x DVD pack..

Fantastic stuff..

That reminds me, I've not viewed this one upscaled on my Sony Blu-Ray player and my Sony Bravia 40 inch LCD 1080 TV with 200Hz motionflow yet..

I must do that..

Good call...


Kev

[ScriptShadow]

Yes, this thread has made me want to rewatch it as well.

[ihavebiglips]

Britt Ekland makes me wanna rewatch it.

[The Road Warrior]

Rosemary's Baby is another classic horror from around that time ...

[Grandmaster]

Are you my brother?
Similar tastes?
I play football though (in the world sense), so we do have our differences.
I used to enjoy badminton, mind.

[Raff]

Yes, the original is a classic.
The remake was awful.
Love the singing in the original -- yes singing -- in a horror movie!

Spoiler


Love how the protag was a virgin in the original and came to the island of his own free will which was missing from the remake.
A down ending? Big time. But we didn't mind because the protag, even though he was basically good, was too uptight with preachy moral beliefs. Great balance.
Unlike the remake -- wherein Nick Cage (whom we all love from previous movies) dies. Truly a bad down ending because we "liked" him too much.