BritishFilmNews.Com

Robin Hardy’s The Wicker Man (1973) is still one of the most unique horror films ever made, it blends folk mystery with psychological unease. Edward Woodward’s straight-laced Sergeant Howie (Edward is great in the role) , investigating a missing young girl on a remote Scottish island, provides the perfect contrast to the unsettlingly cheerful pagan locals. Christopher Lee’s performance as Lord Summerisle remains magnetic—charming, menacing, and oddly convincing.

The slow-burn tension works well even today and even though I have seen the film many times over the years, part of me wishes that I could change the ending for Sergeant Howie, alas I cant.. The musical interludes, bizarre rituals, and growing sense of inevitability create an atmosphere that’s hard to shake. And that ending? Still a gut-punch, even if you know it’s coming.

That said, parts of the film show their age. The pacing can feel meandering by modern standards, and some of the folk songs, while essential to its mood, now land as unintentionally goofy. The costumes and production design, once eerie, sometimes drift into a bit of kitsch for contemporary viewers.

Yet, despite these quirks, The Wicker Man retains its power. Its commentary on faith, morality, and cultural clash is as sharp as ever, and its strangeness feels intentional rather than accidental.

In short: it’s still good—but, yes, a little dated. But deserving of its ‘classic’ status.