The Wicker Man

"The Wicker Man" (1973) starring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland and Diane Cilento   is a classic cult horror / thriller that is also a musical!  A police sergeant travels to a remote private island off the Scottish coast to investigate a reported missing child and finds more than he bargained for!

Sergeant Howie (Woodward) receives an anonymous letter from the island of Summerisle which claims a young girl named Rowan Morrison is missing.  As soon as he arrives to the remote island he faces resistance from the local residents. They claim they don't know the girl and he should talk to Lord Summerisle (Lee) who owns and governs the island.

The Sergeant immediately starts investigating in a heavy handed approach which only gets worse after he starts witnessing the strange goings-on around the island.  Sergeant Howie is a devout Christian and what he sees on Summerisle horrifies him.  People at first lie about Rowan and when he finds evidence of her they finally claim she is dead.  He witnesses couples having sex openly outside the pub. He sees naked dancers jumping over bonfires in strange ceremonies.  The bar maiden, Willow (Ekland), tries to seduce him.  They even teach the children about phallic symbols in school! When he finally meets Lord Summerisle, he learns that the islanders believe in Pagan beliefs and practices which help their crops grow.

This is a thoroughly unique horror movie that actually incorporates music and song into the scenes in a way that doesn't seem out of place.  The songs are either ancient songs or folk songs and they add a lot to the film. "Willow's Song" is sung by Willow the bar owner's daughter, who sings a hauntingly beautiful song while she is nude and in the room next to the sergeant's.  He must use all his reserves of devoutness to endure this haunting siren's song.  The "Maypole Song" is sung a male teacher while the boys are tethered to the maypole in an ancient ceremonial dance. All the music and songs are something you will definitely enjoy and remember about this film.

"The Wicker Man" is a horror movie that you should see at least once in your lifetime and after that you generally will want to watch it again and again.  The beautiful island scenery, the quirky locals, the Pagan costumes and masks, the songs and dance, the suspense and mystery all add to the atmosphere of this film. When Sergeant Howie finally finds out the truth about Rowan Morrison and the island and its people, he definitely finds something stranger than he would have ever imagined!