The Wicker Man (1973) – 2–Disc Set Collector’s
Edition
(DVD-Video)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C+ Theatrical Cut: D Extended Cut: C+
Years ago
when I reviewed the shorter version of Robin Hardy’s 1973 The Wicker Man, I did not like it and it was filed under a limited
edition version with more footage that I had never seen. It is one of the rare times that I was
misquoted in a de facto corporate manner beyond my control (skipping times I
have been outright censored) and the mistake still remains on another site that
shall remain unidentified.
Now with
the bizarre Nicolas Cage remake hitting video after failing miserably at the
box office, Anchor Bay has made the out of print uncut edition available with
the shorter massacre of the film in a new double DVD set.
The story
involves a strict, serious policeman (Edward Woodward) arriving at a private
island when a letter arrives at his office that a young girl has gone
missing. He spends the film looking for
her upon arrival and what seems to be an old traditional, conservative island
at first turns out to be the total opposite.
The film becomes the battle between the officer’s serious Christian
faith and what turns out to be a Pagan clan (led my Christopher Lee) smacking
of the then-counterculture complete with songs.
That by no means makes this a musical.
However,
the music is good and along with the sexuality, absurdity and nudity offered by
the Anthony Shaffer screenplay is partly a deconstruction of and next-stage
attempt to do the kind of Horror tale that the Hammer Studios could not get
past due to their style running into formula.
In the short version, the film is a snippy mess. It turns out that the 11 extra minutes were
very vital and may have been cut for political more than economic reasons. Only spoiling the film prevents me from
explaining why, but see for yourself.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.85 X 1 image is similar to the situation with Anchor
Bay’s uncut version of Michael Mann’s Manhunter
(their Divimax Edition is reviewed elsewhere on this site) offering an
unfortunate and sudden drop in picture quality where the missing footage has
been added (from an old 1-inch analog video master) since it barely
survived. The better footage shown in
both cuts is not form an HD source and has its share of grain. The Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 mixes cannot
get away from the monophonic origins of the production.
Extras on
Theatrical DVD 1 include The Wicker Man
Enigma documentary, text talent bios, TV spot, radio spots and original theatrical
trailer. Extended Cut DVD 2 includes
full length audio commentary by Hardy, Lee & Woodward with moderator Mark
Kemode and eleven minutes of extra footage in the new cut. Britt Ekland (who would soon work with Lee
again in the Roger Moore James Bond film The
Man With The Golden Gun), Diane Cliento and Ingrid Pitt co-star.
The box
has a quote that claims that the film is on par with Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane (1941) as if Rosemary’s Baby and Night of The Living Dead did not
count. It is not like non-supernatural
films about paganism have not surfaced before or that the blatant evil
triumphing over supposed good has not surfaced before. It just might be the guts of the conclusion
of the film, especially how it ends, though there is a glaring hole in that and
fans could site the film as bringing naturalism to the Hammer style to some
extent. Nevertheless, it is better than
that wacky remake and only works in its longer cut. It still does not make me a rabid fan of it,
but now there is a cut that makes sense top match it reputation. Now you can compare for yourself.
By the
way, Lee explains he was to reprise his role with Cage over at Universal. When they passed, Warner picked it up and
changed it so much, it is like multiple train wrecks. We’ll hopefully see that version covered here
soon.
- Nicholas Sheffo
