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We all secretly believe that we would never join a cult. We may be fascinated by the inner mechanics of these insidious groups and go down endless rabbit holes exploring their destructive behavior. But deep down, we’re all convinced that we would be able to sniff out communal manipulation and see a cult leader coming a mile away. Of course, every person who’s ever found themselves in such a group has likely had the same internal belief. We like to see ourselves as mentally superior and aware when we’re being conned by the people around us. But successful cult leaders are experts at finding covert ways to infiltrate our minds and convince us to override our better judgment.

And the terrifying conman at the heart of Mark Anthony Green’s Opus already has an ace in the hole. A world-famous musician and celebrated pop icon, Moretti (John Malkovich...

The clicking of film running through a projector and a slight wow on the pastoral soundtrack ushers in footage of “the blue hills” of The Cotswolds in 1945. It’s a beautiful area of England, replete with picturesque villages and historical monuments. However, the twee public information film stylings aren’t allowed to roll on for long and they’re interrupted – and ultimately halted – by cuts to something far more disturbing. The film becomes grainy and unfocused, the music disquieting and we’re told of of a bizarre, gruesome murder which happened on Meon Hill to one Charles Walton. Charles was reputed to be a friendly, harmless old man, yet he was battered to death with a stick, pinned to the ground with his own pitchfork and the sign of the cross was cut into his chest with his own billhook.

The crime would baffle investigators for decades and, aside from...

Christopher Lee starred in many now-classic horror movies, among them The Wicker Man, which ended up becoming the direct inspiration for a metal song 27 years after its release. Christopher Lee is one of the most respected actors of his generation, with an impressive career spanning over six decades and covering not just movies and TV projects but also music. Lee became widely known after playing Dracula in seven Hammer Horror movies, which also made him one of the most iconic horror actors ever. Outside his Dracula movies, one of Lee’s most notable horror movies is The Wicker Man.

The Wicker Man was directed by Robin Hardy, written by Anthony Shaffer, and inspired by David Pinner’s 1967 novel Ritual. The Wicker Man is a folk horror movie that follows Sgt. Neil Howie (Edward Woodward), who travels to the island of Summerisle to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. There...

Surprisingly, a decent number of horror movies have a great rewatch value and get better with every additional viewing. Horror films are often most effective the first time they are watched, as the built-up suspense, shocking plot twists, and jump scares are exciting to the unfamiliar audience. While many of these factors aren't as strong the second or third time around, the viewing experience of a few select films within the genre still manages to get better each time.

With every rewatch, audiences better appreciate the clever storytelling and use of scares that have stood the test of time. These films have become staples within the horror genre, leaving a lasting impact on audiences, as well as the film industry itself. From classics like Night of the Living Dead to newer horror films such as The Conjuring, some of the best horror movies are easy to watch over and over...

In the final moments of The Wicker Man, devout Christian Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) crests a hill on the remote Summerisle and sees his final resting place, a giant, twig-woven humanoid sculpture where he will be burned alive by the pagan islanders. Howie, an indignant policeman who came to Summerisle...

by Chad Kennerk

Images courtesy of Justin Hardy

When six sacks of contents arrived courtesy of a mystery benefactor, filmmakers Justin and Dominic Hardy, sons of The Wicker Man director Robin Hardy, discovered an archive of lost papers, documents and personal effects relating to the making of their father’s seminal 1973 horror cult classic – a film that quite literally tore their family apart. Robin Hardy’s obsession with his directorial debut led to significant personal and financial sacrifices, leaving a mark on his family. Understandably, the brothers developed a complex relationship with their father’s work and the legacy of The Wicker Man.

The lore is legendary – from the beleaguered production, to its disavowal and harsh editing at the hands of distributor British Lion. An initial financial failure, the film remarkably saw a revival, often attributed to a 1977 commemorative issue of Cinefantastique, which called it "the Citizen Kane of horror movies.

As Grimmfest celebrates the haunting legacy of The Wicker Man 50 years on, Children of the Wicker Man makes a powerful impression, blending filmmaking history, personal discovery, and the complex relationship between father and sons. Directed by Justin Hardy and produced by Chris Nunn, this documentary goes beyond simple admiration for the cult classic, exploring the life and work of the original film’s creator, Robin Hardy, through the eyes of his children. The film is a poignant and deeply human journey that shows the impact of The Wicker Man not only on the horror landscape but also on those closest to its creator.

Will Knowles had the opportunity during the festival to speak with director Justin Hardy and producer Chris Nunn about the making of Children of the Wicker Man, its personal resonance, and what it’s like diving into such a monumental legacy while still creating something entirely their own.

Having received mixed to negative reviews upon their initial releases, a few horror films from the 2000s are worth taking another look at. The 2000s prompted some memorable horror protagonists and horror sequels, but a few films took a bit longer to find their audience. Films like Cloverfield and Drag Me to Hell are widely discussed entries from the 2000s that have only continued to grow in popularity, while films like Thirteen Ghosts and Slither took longer to earn respect.

In a genre with rich, inventive storytelling and special effects, it's only understandable that certain films were widely dismissed when they first hit theaters. A few of the films have earned massive cult followings, while others are on their way to achieving a similar status. With enough time having passed since they were first released, there's something to enjoy in each of these horror films initially marked as a failure.

The prevailing wisdom on Tim Burton is that the filmmaker lost his touch somewhere between 1996's "Mars Attacks!" and 2003's "Big Fish." Especially in the post "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" years, when he really embraced CGI, the general consensus is that Burton became somewhat of a parody of himself. But with "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" it seems the filmmaker has gotten his mojo back, reviving his love of practical effects and the subversive element of his earlier films to deliver a movie that proves the now 66-year-old has still got it.

For me, Burton will forever be one of, if not my favorite filmmaker, simply because his earlier movies set my young imagination alight in a way no other film, TV Show, or any media has. Specifically, his 1992 "Batman" sequel "Batman Returns" remains my most transporting movie experience. The world created by Burton and production designer Bo Welch felt so immersive...

Remakes are a matter of contention among movie fans. Every so often, one comes along that has something interesting and new to say about its source material... but that's certainly not common. Generally, news of a new remake is met only with eye rolls, especially if it is of a particularly beloved old movie.

And it's easy to see why that's the case. A lot of remakes are not only bad at staying true to the themes of the original, but they're just not fantastic movies in their own right. They're often punished with poor critical reviews, box-office failure, or both.

Planet of the Apes Changed the Ending

Original

Remake

Director

Franklin J. Schaffner

Tim Burton

Release date

April 3, 1968

July 27, 2001

The original Planet of the Apes is a beloved classic with one of the most famous twist endings in all of fiction. Unfortunately, the Tim Burton remake changed the ending.

Historically, few horror films have ever excited as much interest as The Wicker Man, which has been the subject of a substantial amount of analysis in the form of essays, books and documentaries. This documentary, however, does something quite different. Made by Justin Hardy and Dominic Hardy, who describe themselves as two of the various spawn of director Robin Hardy, whom he scattered around the world, it explores the personal consequences of the groundbreaking film and, in so doing, provides a new angle on ongoing debates about the way we deal with great art created by messy human beings.

“Why did I want to make The Wicker Man? Why did Ahab want to catch his white whale?” wrote Hardy senior in a letter to Caroline, Justin’s mother, many years after he had abandoned her. Ahab, however, did not draw on his wife’s finances to support his ambition, and his.

Fantastic Fest is bigger and better this year, which is its 19th. For 2024, Fantastic Fest is presenting 28 world premieres, 15 U.S. premieres and 23 international and North American premieres, plus some great events and plenty of special guests.

Ff will take place at the iconic Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar in Austin, Texas from September 19 through September 26.

The fun begins on opening night with the premiere of The Rule of Jenny Pen, starring Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow. Rush plays a judge who ends up in a nursing home. One of the other residents (Lithogow) is a strange man who takes great pleasure in terrorizing the others who live there.

Anthony B. Jenkins as Samuel, Halle Berry as Momma and Percy Daggs IV as Nolan in Never Let Go. Photo Credit: Liane Hentscher

Also premiering is Alexandre Aja’s new film Never Let Go. Aja will be joined by the film’s...

Things that go bump in the night, fears of the dark, nights of things like The Demon, The Living Dead, The Hunter and… err… The Lepus (big rabbits), are mainstays in horror. Something half glimpsed in the gloom when everything is quiet and people are sleeping is innately creepy. So it can sometimes be extra special when a horror movie manages to scare the bejesus out of us despite being set in the cold light of day. Or indeed, as is the case with many of the following movies because they are set in broad daylight.

So let the sun warm your skin while our favorite daytime horrors chill your heart!

Midsommar

This is an obvious first pick because part of the gimmick (and we mean that with affection) of the movie is that it’s set in Sweden during a commune’s Midsummer festival where the nights are very...

Buenos Aires-based FilmSharks has acquired international sales and remake rights to the Spanish comedy I Cannot Live Without You (No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti).

The project is in post and stars Argentinian superstar Adrian Suar from 30 Nights With My Ex and A Boyfriend For My Wife and Paz Vega, whose credits include Lucia y El Sexo, Spanglish, and Rambo: Last Blood.

I Cannot Live Without You centres on a successful middle-aged executive addicted to his devices whose world falls apart when his wife demands a divorce and he signs up for an unusual therapy for cell phone addicts.

Santiago Requejo...

UK-based sales house Unannounced Film Company has boarded international sales on documentary Children Of The Wicker Man for the Cannes Market.

Justin and Dominic Hardy’s film centres around their father Robin Hardy and the making of his 1973 cult horror film The Wicker Man.

Despite being considered one of the greatest films of all time, Hardy’s sons have a complex relationship with the film and the impact it had on their relationship with their father. Along with researcher Chris Nunn, who also directs the documentary, the pair delve into a box of recently discovered production documents from The Wicker Man...

In December of 1973, two movies that would change the face of horror and the ways it dealt with religion and spirituality were released. One was an instant hit, immediately changing the landscape of the genre forever. The other was severely cut by executives who simply did not understand it and unceremoniously slapped into the B-picture slot on double bills with Don’t Look Now, where it seemed to die a quick death. Over time, it grew from an underground cult discovery to a genre-defining masterpiece. The former is, of course, William Friedkin and William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist, which remains a terrifying and inimitable masterpiece. The latter is Robin Hardy and Anthony Schaffer’s The Wicker Man, a truly remarkable film that became a flashpoint for an emerging subgenre—Folk Horror. Though both films deal in religion, The Exorcist and The Wicker Man could not be more divided in their approach to the subject.

Midsommar (A24), Nope (Universal Pictures), Texas Chain Saw Massacre’s Hewitt house (Shutterstock), Pearl (A24)Graphic: The A.V. Club

There’s an old adage in horror: The less you show a monster, the scarier it is. Horror filmmakers are, by necessity, skilled at using darkness and shadows to creep out audiences.

"The Wicker Man" is the gold standard of occult horror. Police Sergeant Neil Howie (Edward Woodward), a God-fearing Englishman, arrives on the island of Summerisle to investigate the reported disappearance of a young girl. Howie soon discovers the islanders are pagans and spends the movie angrily berating them. Soon, it becomes clear the cultural differences are more sinister than the proper way to worship.

The islanders' crops are failing, so Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee) has plotted a virgin sacrifice to appease their gods. No one ever said the virgin had to be a young girl; no, it's the unmarried Howie, who is burned to death in an excruciating sequence as the Summerisle villagers sing.

Despite being underserved by producer/distributor British Lion Films (to the point where Lee had to promote the film on his own time), "The Wicker Man" is now regarded as a horror classic. 2023 was the 50th anniversary of "The Wicker Man,...

In Robin Hardy's supremely creepy 1973 cult picture "The Wicker Man," a cop named Neil Howie (Edward Woodward) travels to a remote island called Summerisle to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. The citizens of Summerisle are secretive and strange and still abide by ancient Celtic religious rites. Howie, a devout Christian, is put off by their pagan weirdness. During his investigation, Howie stays at a local inn, The Green Man, overseen by Mr. McGregor (Lindsay Kemp) and his comely daughter Willow. Willow is sexually forward with Howie, something else he finds discomforting.

Later that night, while Howie attempts to sleep, Willow strips nude in her own room and gyrates seductively against the wall that neighbors Howie's. Howie can't see or hear it, but he seems to sense something strange is happening. Is she casting a spell of some kind?

It turns out that the nude body audiences saw dancing wasn't Ekland at all,...

The 1973 folk horror movie "The Wicker Man" is a terrifying trip into the potential dangers of religious fanaticism, but it was also pretty perilous to film as well. Some of the actors felt like making the movie was almost as horrifying as the movie itself due to miserable, wet Scotland weather and the film's dramatic climax that ends in human sacrifice. Actor Edward Woodward wasn't actually burned alive, of course, though his character, Sergeant Howie is trapped inside a massive wicker man effigy and lit aflame, and it was still pretty scary filming that scene because fire can be unpredictable. Perhaps even more unpredictable, however? Goats. There may be no creature on this earth more unpredictable, and in proper goat fashion, one of them was a real problem on the set of the most pivotal scene in "The Wicker Man."

It's pretty close to impossible to make a folk horror...

Brazil’s Fantaspoa film festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and the festival is breaking numerous records, presenting an impressive total of 114 feature films, 22 of these as World Premieres, marking the largest number of feature films in Fantaspoa’s long history.

The final selection of feature films for Fantaspoa’s highly-anticipated 20th edition has been exclusively presented to Bloody Disgusting, so read on for everything you need to know!

The festival tells us this week, “With a diverse selection, the feature films screening at Fantaspoa Xx have been divided into seven distinct competitive categories: International, Ibero-American, National, Documentary, Animation, All-Nighter, and Low Budget, Great Films. These categories promise audiences a variety of cinematic experiences, from the fringes of horror and fantasy to the depths of the human imagination.

“In addition to feature films, Fantaspoa will screen 123 short films, totaling 237 participating works, making this edition of the festival the largest in its history.

The Exorcist, by William Friedkin, is the most important horror film ever made. In 1973, it became the "first one" to do many things in cinema, and for the first time, a realistic situation was portrayed inside the confines of a genre that many considered to be indecent. America, and everything associated with the idealist side of society, was no longer safe, as evil could enter a household and corrupt a small and innocent girl whose greatest sin was being curious. It was controversial, and, in some cases, banned.

Audiences were ecstatic, shocked, and fascinated. Many claimed they were traumatized, but upon leaving the theater, they got in line again to catch the next show. With The Exorcist, you were able to see something forbidden; the first time the Devil showed its face. Its power big enough to scar a young child beyond recognition. Needless to say, religious horror had been born.

Beloved projects often face criticism when rebooted, with original creators and stars openly comparing new versions to their own. Constructive criticism can be productive, while spiteful remarks can come off as harsh and unhelpful. Reboots that receive poor critical reception can actually enhance the reputation of the original.

Rebooting old stories into fresh movies and TV shows is common, but in some cases, actors or filmmakers involved in the original have openly criticized the new version. It's rare for those involved in the Hollywood machine to openly criticize each other's work, as it can negatively impact the politicking involved in obtaining future roles or jobs. But that hasn't stopped movie stars like Brendan Fraser or Brian Cox from speaking their minds about new versions of projects they were once involved in.

It makes sense that the creators and stars involved in beloved projects would feel uneasy about a reboot, though,...

The Wicker Man was inspired by a 1676 engraving called "The Wicker Image" and aimed to be a more cerebral horror movie. The film was shot in 25 different locations throughout Scotland, with aerial shots of Summerisle filmed in South Africa. Christopher Lee starred in the movie for free and even paid for his own promotional tour, showing his passion for the film.

Robin Hardy's The Wicker Man is one of the most beloved cult horror films of the 1970s. Although the film was not a box office success at the time of its release, it grew in popularity through word of mouth. As such, the film currently holds an 89% certified fresh Rotten Tomatoes rating and remains one of the most beloved horror movies ever made. While the movie remains on many best-of lists for horror movies over the years, there is a lot that fans of the movie might not know,...

Director William Brent Bell turns in a poor man’s reworking of the Brit-horror classic that can’t work up a proper head of suspense

In a quaint village somewhere in the north, judging by the accents, the new vicar Rebecca Holland (Tuppence Middleton) seems to think she’s made some progress connecting with the locals. Mind you, turnout for Sunday services yields barely enough souls for a game of five-a-side. But the community seems friendly enough to her and her husband Henry (Matt Stokoe), and they seem to have paid the family a compliment by choosing the Hollands’ pre-pubescent daughter Grace to be some kind of angel with wheat sheaf wings for the upcoming harvest festival.

Alas, it seems Rebecca has never watched The Wicker Man because, if she had, she would have understood exactly what’s going on once Grace mysteriously disappears. Much of what follows is nearly...

Robin Hardy's The Wicker Man was released after years of behind-the-scenes drama and active efforts to impede its production. 30 years later, the Nicolas Cage version of The Wicker Man told the same basic story with a talented cast and strong technical credentials, only to be rapidly relegated to an internet punchline. The differences couldn't be more stark, and much of it boils down to one simple change. The remake sees fit to create its own neo-pagan faith more or less out of scratch, while the original draws on ancient Celtic pagan traditions and practices.

The Summerisle villagers in The Wicker Man practice an amalgamation of multiple traditional beliefs, which Hardy and The Wicker Man screenwriter Anthony Shaffer painstakingly researched as they were preparing the film. They filled the movie with copious examples, often as a part of the villagers' day-to day-lives. The most prominent are discussed below, loosely in...

A classic film that not only endures but continues to inspire half a century later is a true marvel. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, The Wicker Man helped popularize the folk horror genre that continues to flourish with the likes of Midsommar, The Witch, and The Ritual. Its impact extends beyond cinema, from inspiring Radiohead (“Burn the Witch”) and Iron Maiden (“The Wicker Man”) songs to being included in the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony.

In the film, Sergeant Neil Howie travels from the mainland to the Scottish island of Summerisle to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. The devout Christian is appalled to learn that the islanders practice a form of paganism characterized by blasphemous beliefs, degeneracy, doublespeak, and peculiar customs. Like The Bride of Frankenstein, the namesake doesn’t show up until the final moments of the film, but it leaves an indelible impression long after the credits roll.

The Wicker Man's infamous 2006 remake starring Nicolas Cage hurt the reputation of the original 1973 film. The original Wicker Man from 1973 tells the same story a thousand times smarter, making it one of the greatest horror movies ever made. The 50th anniversary of the original Wicker Man is a good opportunity to re-discover it, and put the Nicolas Cage version on the pop-cultural back seat.

Mention The Wicker Man, and the go-to response is to invoke the infamous 2006 disaster starring Nicolas Cage. It bombed on first release and has since attained the same dubious status as Battlefield: Earth and the 1980s Howard the Duck. Today, it's probably best known for the memes that arose from it, featuring Cage delivering manic lines like "How'd it get Burned?!" and "the bees… the Bees…"

Certainly, the film deserves every bit of its reputation as a well-meaning effort sunk beneath the weight of unfortunate creative decisions.

Robin Hardy’s folk horror classic The Wicker Man introduces its protagonist, Sergeant Neil Howie (Edward Woodward), in only a few short scenes that sketch him as a devout Christian and religious conservative. As he takes the sacrament and sings hymns in a small Scottish church, he appears to be in his element but nonetheless uncomfortable. He’s a man who looks petrified to touch any surface of the material world lest it corrupt his being.

One quickly knows everything about how Howie regards the world. This allows The Wicker Man, as written by Anthony Shaffer, to swiftly upend the man’s sense of reality when the police officer flies out to the remote Hebridean town of Summerisle to investigate a missing persons case and discovers that all of the hamlet’s residents practice a pre-Christian form of paganism.

The film lays the town’s practices out in the open,...

The Wicker Man: The Official Story of the Film offers exclusive images and behind-the-scenes looks into the cult classic's journey from development to cult popularity. The movie faced numerous troubles during production and post-production, including financial issues and studio demands for cuts to the film. Despite setbacks, The Wicker Man has become a cult classic and has influenced other movies in the folk horror genre, including Ari Aster's Midsommar.

Take a trip back to the mysterious island of Summerisle with exclusive images from The Wicker Man: The Official Story of the Film. Partially inspired by the David Pinner novel Ritual, the 1973 British horror movie centered on a police officer heading to an isolated island community after learning of a young girl who's gone missing, only to be shocked by the pagan rituals conducted by the locals and learning of a darker game at play. Led by Edward Woodward and Christopher Lee,...

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the folk-horror classic, The Wicker Man, we are giving away The Wicker Man Posters Signed by Britt Ekland to 3 lucky winners!

Studiocanal is delighted to release a glorious new 4K restoration of The Wicker Man. All three versions of the film; The Final Cut, The Director’s Cut and The Theatrical Cut, have been painstakingly restored and will be released in an exclusive 5-disc Collector’s Edition as well as a 4-isc Steelbook version. The Final Cut will also be available on Digital from September 25th.

It Is Time To Keep Your Appointment With The Wicker Man. In the 50 years since its original release, The Wicker Man has achieved true cult status as one of the most revered horror films in cinema history, despite a difficult production and heavily cut original theatrical release. The search for the fabled missing scenes has only added to...

It is the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking 1973 British folk horror masterpiece, a tale of paganism run riot on a remote Scottish island. Starring Edward Woodward, Britt Ekland and Christopher Lee, and directed by Robin Hardy, here are rarely seen photographs of the film-makers and cast on location in Scotland

• A special 5-disc Collectors Edition of the Wicker Man will be released by Studiocanal on 25 September...

The classic horror flick The Wicker Man has gotten the 4K treatment.

Lionsgate has announced that The Wicker Man is getting a special SteelBook in 4K Ultra HD, along with Blu-ray and Digital. The SteelBook is set to be released on Oct. 17, 2023. Ahead of the release, Lionsgate has also unveiled the artwork for the SteelBook.

Related: Andy Serkis Announces The Wicker Man TV Series

The film is directed by Robin Hardy (The Fantasist) and follows Police Sergeant Howie as he investigates Lord Summerisle and his secretive pagan society. Anthony Shaffer wrote the script. The film also stars Britt Ekland, Diane Cilento, Ingrid Pitt, and Lindsay Kemp, and Russell Waters.

In The Wicker Man, per Lionsgate's synopsis, "When a young girl mysteriously vanishes, Police Sergeant Howie (Woodward) travels to a remote Scottish island to investigate. But the seemingly quiet community is not as it appears, as the detective uncovers a secretive...

Killer Collectibles highlights five of the most exciting new horror products announced each and every week, from toys and apparel to artwork, records, and much more.

Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!

The Wicker Man 4K Uhd Steelbook from Best Buy

Best Buy will exclusively carry The Wicker Man on Steelbook 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital on October 17 via Lionsgate. Richey Beckett designed the artwork. Pre-orders are live for $21.99.

In her recent 50th anniversary retrospective, Meagan Navarro called the 1973 British folk horror film “a classic horror movie whose legacy only seems to grow more potent with age.” Robin Hardy directs from a script by Anthony Shaffer (Frenzy). Edward Woodward, Britt Ekland, Diane Cilento, Ingrid Pitt, and Christopher Lee star.

The 94-minute “Final Cut” has been restored in 4K with Dolby Vision/Hdr and Lpcm mono audio. Special features include “The Wicker Man at 50” featurette; interviews with Hardy,...

You’ll want to mark down October 17, 2023, as you have an appointment with The Wicker Man. The long-awaited SteelBook release of Robin Hardy’s cult-classic horror flick arrives just in time for the spooky season. While you may have been keeping your eyes peeled for this announcement back in the spring when a May Day drop seemed likely, fans finally have the 50th anniversary celebration they’ve been longing for by way of a Steelbook 4K Uhd, Blu-ray, and digital release. Accompanying the musical horror is a slew of bonus material sure to make you feel like you’ve been transported to the rolling hills of Summerisle.

Cult Horror Masterpiece, The Wicker Man, Arrives on a SteelBook in 4K Ultra HD October 17: "The cult horror masterpiece, The Wicker Man, arrives on a SteelBook® in 4K Ultra HD™ (+ Blu-ray™ + Digital) on October 17th from Lionsgate. Directed by Robin Hardy (The Fantasist), the film follows Police Sergeant Howie, as he investigates Lord Summerisle and his secretive pagan society. The Wicker Man will be available for the suggested retail price of $27.99."

Official Synopsis

When a young girl mysteriously vanishes, Police Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) travels to a remote Scottish island to investigate. But the seemingly quiet community is not as it appears, as the detective uncovers a secretive pagan society led by the strange Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee). While the townsfolk tempt and threaten him with bizarre rituals and wanton lust, Howie must race to discover the truth behind the girl's disappearance before his clash with Lord Summerisle builds...

Sony opening ‘No Hard Feelings’ in 554 cinemas.

Universal is opening Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City in 347 cinemas across the UK and Ireland this weekend, one month after the film premiered in Competition at Cannes Film Festival.

Anderson’s 11th feature film follows a writer’s play about a grieving father who travels with his tech-obsessed family to a rural town, to compete in a junior stargazing event, where his worldview is forever changed.

The filmmaker has united perhaps his starriest cast yet for Asteroid City, including Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Maya Hawke, Rupert Friend, Jeffrey Wright,...

The satirical masterpiece goes well beyond what one expects from folk horror, with Edward Woodward as the priggish cop sent to investigate a pagan island

After 50 years, here is a re-release for that gamey satirical masterpiece of folk horror – although “prog horror” is perhaps a better description. Folk horror, like film noir, is a term that seems to have been first used by critics before film-makers themselves, but The Wicker Man is so much better and more distinctive than any film that comes under the folk-horror heading that it’s virtually a one-movie genre in itself. It now appears billed as a “final cut”: a restoration complete with the footage that was excised when it was released as a B-picture support to Don’t Look Now in 1973.

It is a brilliant conspiracy-chiller set on May Day on a remote fictional island off the Scottish coast, ruled over by the haughty...

A new season of The Wicker Man is upon us. The classic 1973 horror film, which is arguably the best-known of three British films from its era that embody “folk horror” (the others being Witchfinder General and Blood on Satan’s Claw), is returning to UK cinemas for one night on June 21 in a special new 4K remastered version of the “Final Cut,” complete with re-edited footage deleted from the original, troubled theatrical release.

Following that, the three existing versions of the film (The Wicker Man may rival Blade Runner in the department of different cuts), all in 4K Uhd, will be released in an exclusive 50th anniversary collector’s edition on Sept. 4. The five-disc set will also contain a bevy of goodies, including new essays, an EP of music, and plenty of other bonus content.

Despite a turbulent production and initial release, The Wicker Man has only grown in stature over...

The Wicker Man turns 50 this year, and to celebrate it's being re-released in UK cinemas for one day only, on June 21st. And to celebrate that, in this interview special Chris Hewitt sits down with the legendary Britt Ekland, who plays Willow in Robin Hardy and Anthony Shaffer's classic folk horror, and talks about her troubled relationship with the film and her treatment during/after it, how that relationship has healed over the years, becoming friends with Christopher Lee at the Empire Awards, and much, much more.

It's a fun and frank interview that is a must for all fans of The Wicker Man, so whether you have come here of your own free will, whether you have the power of a king, whether you're a virgin, or whether you're a fool, enjoy.

Listen to the episode on the pod app of your choice — or via the PlanetRadio player above.

The 1970s unleashed a wave of classics upon the movie-going world. Indisputably a momentous era in the history of cinema across the world at large, the decade's abundance of creative horror outings is similarly undeniable. Some of the movies hailing from the timeframe became overnight, epoch-defining sensations — instant classics lapped up by casual audiences and discerning cinephiles alike. Others endeared themselves slowly over time, garnering new fans and more widespread appreciation with age. Obvious winners from the era can be name-dropped forever. Robin Hardy's The Wicker Man (1973) was a shocking exploration of cultism and John Carpenter's monolithic Halloween redefined what can be achieved on a small budget, using low-key effects to generate high-order scares. Giallo horror received a massive boot in the iconic direction with Dario Argento's Suspiria, Nicholas Roeg took slow-building menace and the power of visual motifs to the next level in Don't Look Now...

50 years after its release and filmmakers, including Ari Aster, Mark Jenkin, Ben Wheatley, and Robert Eggers, continue to draw direct inspiration from Robin Hardy’s folk horror freak-out The Wicker Man. To celebrate its half-a-century milestone, the film has been given a 4K restoration and will hit theaters in the U.S. beginning on July 7. Ahead of the release, a new trailer has now arrived for the film starring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, and Britt Ekland.

This restoration was scanned in 4K by Silver Salt Restoration UK, from the original 35mm negative. A second-generation 35mm intermediate positive produced in 1973 was used to replace a small section with unrepairable damage in the original negative. The additional footage is sourced from 35mm prints, which are the only known sources for this material. Colour grading and restoration were completed by Silver Salt Restoration UK who dedicated over 500 hours to fix physical damage to the 35mm negative,...

Exclusive: Here’s a splashy European project to end the week: Gerard Butler’s Has Fallen film franchise is getting the television treatment, with filming set to get underway at the end of the month.

Respected French filmmaker and actor Mathieu Kassovitz will lead the cast of Paris Has Fallen, which will be made by StudioCanal, War of the Worlds producer Urban Myth Films, and two companies behind the film franchise: Millennium Media and Butler’s G-Base. Eclectic Pictures is also attached.

Howard Overman, the creator of BAFTA-winning series Misfits, is writing Paris Has Fallen. Oded Ruskin is directing having previously worked on series including Hulu’s No Man’s Land. Shooting will commence on May 30 in London and Paris.

Paris Is Fallen is set up at Canal+ in France; Zdf in Germany; Canal+ International in Poland and Africa; and M7 in Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Slovakia. StudioCanal is preparing...

Director Robin Hardy’s 1973 folk horror film The Wicker Man (watch it Here) is considered to be a genre classic – and the folks at Studio Canal are certainly showing it a lot of love and respect with their upcoming 5-disc collector’s edition release, which will contain Blu-ray (which may be locked to Region B) and 4K Uhd (All Region) discs. The street date for this release is September 4th – and before that, Studio Canal will also be holding a “one night only” theatrical re-release event on June 21st.

In addition to the 5-disc collector’s edition, there will be a new digital release and a steelbook.

Inspired by David Pinner’s 1967 novel Ritual, The Wicker Man was directed by Hardy from a screenplay by Anthony Shaffer. The film has the following synopsis: When a young girl mysteriously disappears, Police Sergeant Howie travels to a remote Scottish island to investigate.

"It is time... to keep your appointment with The Wicker Man." StudioCanal has unveiled a brand new trailer and poster for the 50th anniversary re-release of this cult classic horror film The Wicker Man. Originally released in 1973 in the UK, the film gained more notoriety after the 2006 remake starring Nicolas Cage. Reborn in glorious 4K, The Wicker Man: The Final Cut will return to UK cinemas this Summer Solstice, June 21 with a series of one night only screenings. The 50th Anniversary Event took place at Picturehouse Central in London on May 1st and was a star-studded on-stage celebration of the film. Presented by Edith Bowman, the on-stage show included guest of honour, actress Britt Ekland, associate musical director from the film Gary Carpenter, family of director Robin Hardy, and others. In the film, a puritan Police Sergeant arrives in a Scottish island village in search of a missing girl, who...

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of horror classic The Wicker Man, UK company Studiocanal has announced today that the 1973 film will return to cinemas June 21 in 4K, and it’s also hitting 4K Uhd as a special Collector’s Edition, Steelbook & Digital from September 4.

The good news for fans in the United States? 4K discs are Region Free.

“The Wicker Man has had an enduring fascination for audiences since its release in 1973. A unique and bone-fide horror masterpiece, brilliantly scripted by Anthony Schaffer and featuring an astounding performance by the legendary Christopher Lee. Director Robin Hardy’s atmospheric use of location, unsettling imagery and haunting soundtrack gradually builds to one of the most terrifying and iconic climaxes in modern cinema.”

Special Features include:

5-disc 4K Uhd collector’s edition rigid ‘book’ pop-up packaging, including all 3 cuts of the film restored in 4K X1 exclusive EP featuring artists from Heavenly records...

Classic folk horror movie The Wicker Man turns fifty later this year, but today, May 1, 2023, makes for the perfect time to celebrate its momentous anniversary.

The entire premise centers around May Day festivities, after all, building its horror around the themes of rebirth, fertility, and the driving desire for an isolated community to thrive with a fruitful harvest. What’s now considered a foundational pillar of folk horror wasn’t always the case. The Wicker Man eschewed conventional horror tactics that puzzled upon initial release, mining its ultimate terror from one unforgettable ending.

The opening text attempts to establish authenticity with a producer’s thanks to Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee) and his people for cooperating with the film’s production and providing insight into their religion and culture. It then cuts to a seaplane arriving at the remote Summerisle setting over the opening credits, introducing Police Sergeant Neil Howie (Edward Woodward...

Walpurgisnacht, also known as Walpurgis Night or Hexennacht, is a pagan holiday celebrated on the night of April 30th. It is named after Saint Walpurga, an eighth-century nun who Christianized parts of Germany. However, the holiday has roots in pagan traditions that celebrate the coming of spring and the triumph of life over death. It is also associated with witchcraft and supernatural phenomena, making it a perfect occasion to indulge in some spine-chilling horror films.

So, grab some popcorn and get ready for a night of scares with these ten chilling recommendations for Walpurgisnacht.

1. Dracula (1931)

What better way to kick off Walpurgisnacht than with the most iconic vampire movie of all time? Dracula (1931) stars Bela Lugosi as the titular count who travels from Transylvania to England to spread his curse of the undead. The beginning of the film is actually set on Walpurgisnacht, as Renfield (Dwight Frye) arrives at Dracula...

The Wicker Man (and its double feature-mate Don't Look Now) are 50 years old. Albeit, they played the UK in 1973 and USA in 1975. There is a long story around the complex history of Robin Hardy's film, and it is well worth looking it up. Both films have recently screened at Toronto's Revue cinema, with custom event posters. By the time this column is published, the Thursday screening for The Wicker Man will have come to pass. Nevertheless, I do wish to highlight this unique piece of key art for the iconic and seminal folk horror classic. Designed by the digital creator behind Alternate Universal, who, specifically, in his own words, "sought out to create a poster for The Wicker Man... that didn't feature the...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

In 1973, writer/director Robin Hardy made a real splash with his debut movie, a little old thing titled The Wicker Man. His up-and-coming horror contemporaries of the 1970s, such as Wes Craven and Tobe Hooper, had something of a slow start after their own explosive horror debuts but enjoyed long careers in the genre once they’d gained their momentum. Hardy, on the other hand, simply dropped a classic horror bomb on the world and all but disappeared again, not making another movie for 13 years. By the time he died in 2016, he had made only four movies; striking for a man who not only was a very talented director but was behind one of the most revered pictures of the genre. This is not to say, however, that the intervening years were eventless. Also an author, Hardy penned a novelization of his classic movie, and then a sequel to it.