subject: GEMM NEWS: The Wicker Man Will Return! [print this page] GEMM NEWS: The Wicker Man Will Return! GEMM NEWS: The Wicker Man Will Return!
Inspired by the basic scenario of David Pinner's 1967 novel The Ritual, the story centres on the visit of Police Sergeant Neil Howie to the isolated island of Summerisle, in search of a missing girl the locals claim never existed. Howie is a devout Christian, and is appalled by a religion loosely inspired by Celtic paganism practised by the inhabitants of the island.
The Wicker Man is generally well-regarded by critics and film enthusiasts. Film magazine Cinefantastique described it as "The Citizen Kane of Horror Movies", and during 2004 the magazine Total Film named The Wicker Man the sixth greatest British film of all time. It also won the 1978 Saturn Award for Best Horror Film. A scene from this film was #45 on Bravo's 100 Scariest Movie Moments. In his 2010 BBC documentary series A History of Horror, writer and actor Mark Gatiss referred to the film as a prime example of a short-lived sub-genre he called "folk horror", grouping it with 1968s witch-finder General and 1971s Blood on Satan's Claw.
A poorly received 2006 Canadian/German/American remake was produced, from which Robin Hardy and others involved with the original have disassociated themselves.
The Wicker Tree, a "spiritual sequel" also directed by Hardy, is set for release in 2011
It's been well over a year since last we heard anything about the sequel to the original Wicker Man, now titled The Wicker Tree (formerly Cowboys for Christ), but apparently things are very much a go for the next chapter in the now series.
Robin Hardy's long delayed follow-up to The Wicker Man has finally gone into production. The Wicker Tree reunites the director with legendary actor Christopher Lee for a story "in the style of" the 1973 film. Keep in mind this is NOT a direct sequel, but it does explore similar themes.
he plot for the film goes something like this: Beth and Steve, a gospel singer and her cowboy boyfriend, both Christian members of a no-sex-before-marriage pact they call 'the silver ring thing', leave Texas to preach door-to-door in Scotland. When, after initial abuse, they are welcomed with joy and elation to Tressock, the border fiefdom of the sinister Lachlan Morrison, they assume their hosts want to simply hear more about Jesus. How innocent and wrong they are.
The Wicker Man is available at GEMM.com
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